December comes with high expectations. Words like happy, merry, wonderful, and joyous are constantly being bandied about. Unfortunately, one of the things the holiday season brings is elevated stress levels. The pressure can get turned on and suddenly our brains get a workload increase. Keeping track of budgets, social calendars, family drama, wish lists, hats, scarves, gloves that don't match, and ill-fitting coats, on top of the normal everyday stressors can be exhausting.
When it comes to coping with holiday stress, certain activities are listed more often than not. A big one is to "Say NO!" Sometimes you can be asked to take on extra, and this is not always something we have time and energy for. It's okay to say no. If you need to take a break, take one. Breathe, walk, get a coffee, or make some tea, decompress and reassess. Be honest, with yourself and others, about what your limits are and how you are feeling.
The Book of Boundaries: set the limits that will set you free by Urban, Melissa
There are many options however for combatting rising stress levels and a lot of them revolve around taking a time-out. You can take a nap, have some tea, grab a coffee, or indulge in your favorite hobby. You can also play whatever music helps you to relax and elevate your mood, or binge-watch your favorite show. Another great way to relax is by reading, which as a library, we can easily help you with. While you are here, you can further your adventures in relaxation by coloring one of our coloring pages, by checking out one of our puzzles to complete at home, or by helping to piece together our Community Puzzle set up by the adult reference desk.
However, for some, December brings Depression. Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression brought about by seasonal changes. Although it can happen during the Spring and Summer, it is most common during the Fall and Winter months. Symptoms can include oversleeping, a loss of interest, sluggishness, appetite changes, low energy, feelings of hopelessness and unworthiness, and thoughts of death or suicide.
We here at Dixon Public Library are not health professionals. Our goal is to provide access to information.
If you are in crisis or an emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. If you're having suicidal thoughts, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to talk to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area at any time (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline).
1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK)
https://www.mentalhealthfacilities.net/clinics/illinois/dixon.html
Rosenthal, who first described Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and is the foremost authority on the subject, offers an up-to-date guide to overcoming the miseries and that millions experience with the changing seasons. In his lively style, Rosenthal offers advice on how to identify, treat and overcome both winter and summer varieties of seasonal affective disorder, as well as the less severe yet bothersome winter blues.
"Are you stressed? Do you need to find ways to unwind? Life can sometimes be hectic, challenging and hard to manage. We all need to find ways to release the daily pressures. In this exciting collection of relaxation ideas you will discover new ways to ease life's load, so that you can find tranquility and access inner peace. Offering simple and easy daily solutions for busy people and continuing a wealth of tips and techniques, from relaxation mantras and attitude acrobatics to self-help programs, physical workouts, and lessons from the East, 365 Ways to Beat Stress will help you access a calmer way of being"--Back cover.
"How to Relax is part of The Mindfulness Essentials series of how-to titles by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, introducing beginners and reminding seasoned practitioners of the essentials of mindfulness practice. Pocket-sized, with original two color illustrations by Jason DeAntonis, How to Relax shows how critical it is to regularly interrupt the hub-bub and routine of our lives to stop, relax mindfully, and recharge. Thich Nhat Hanh says that when we relax, we "become calm water, and we will reflect reality as it is. If we're not calm, the image we reflect will be distorted. When the image is distorted by our minds, it's not the reality, and it causes lots of suffering." With sections on healing, relief from nonstop thinking, transforming unpleasant sounds, solitude, being peace, and more, How to Relax includes meditations you can do to help you achieve the benefits of relaxation no matter where you are. It's a unique gift for those who want a simple guide to achieving deep relaxation, controlling stress, and renewing mental freshness and clarity, appropriate for those practicing in any spiritual tradition, whether seasoned practitioners or new to meditations. With fifteen two color drawings by celebrated artist Jason DeAntonis. "-- Provided by publisher.
The nation's leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to helping those living with mental illness provides clear, honest, jargon-free information for anyone struggling emotionally and looking for help.
"A quippy, fun, and empathetic read that reminds readers they are not alone in their feelings, teaches them the science of mental illness, and empowers them to quell the brain beasts of depression and anxiety"--. Provided by publisher.
"It's time for a new type of self-care. No bubble baths. No yoga. Just some truly wild-truly effective ideas and activities that are good for you and your overall wellness. It's time to get feral! Feral Self-Care is loaded with self-care ideas that will actually help nourish your soul and make you feel good. Each entry covers an activity that reconnects you with your authentic self, helping you feel more empowered, free, and confident in embracing this human experience in all its messy glory. From self-care activities that will have you connecting with nature to those that have you digging deep and exploring your truest self, Feral Self-Care goes beyond the skin creams and face masks to reveal and restore your inner being. You'll find inspired ideas such as: nature sounds ASMR, dancing in the rain, and much more!"--. Provided by publisher.
Our brains do their best to help us out, but every so often they can be real assholes - having meltdowns, getting addicted to things, or shutting down completely at the worst possible moments. Your brain knows it's not good to do these things, but it can't help it sometimes - especially if it's obsessing about trauma it can't overcome. That's where this life-changing book comes in. With humour, patience, science, and lots of good-ole swearing, Dr. Faith explains what's going on in your skull, and talks you through the process of retraining your brain.
From comedian Melissa Villaseñor of "Saturday Night Live", this self-help workbook filled with her original art, laugh-out-loud stories, and heartfelt reflections will help you embrace the silliness inside of you. Color in- or outside the lines, spend a moment finding your way through a snail-themed maze, make a list of your favorite childhood snacks—be as goofy as you wanna be! Because you're awesome. This bright and colorful journal will be a must-have for all of Melissa Villaseñor's fans, as well as anyone who appreciates honest and irreverent self-help. Whether you're looking for healing, reflection, meditation, or creativity, this journal is here for the journey. BELOVED VOICE: Known for her offbeat sense of humor as well as her honest vulnerability that feels incredibly relatable, Melissa Villaseñor has channeled her unique voice into one-of-a-kind journal that fans will love. SELF-CARE IN A FUN PACKAGE: This colorful journal is filled with tons of interactive activities, with lots of space to draw, reflect, and explore, encouraging readers to dive deep and embrace their true selves—including space for writing a letter to someone who brightens your day, taking a Do You Need a Nap quiz (spoiler alert: you do), and more. ENGAGING STORIES: Throughout these bright and colorful pages, the author peppers in both humorous and incredibly vulnerable personal stories that illuminate her own journey towards self-acceptance. Perfect for: Fans of Melissa Villaseñor of "Saturday Night Live". Self-care shoppers and self-acceptance seekers. Fans of other artists-feelings-forward people like Mari Andrew, Adam J. Kurtz, and Carissa Potter.
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