Self Care
In the whirlwind of life's demands, it's all too easy to overlook our own well-being and inner peace. Milwaukee Public Library can help you rediscover the art of nurturing your mental health.
As National Self-Care Day is celebrated on April 5th each year, MPL wants to provide our community with tools & ideas to extend our emotional and mental efforts beyond just one day with a Self-Care Awareness page on our website.
Creativity is a vital expression of a happy soul.
Busy hands are happy hands. Keeping your hands occupied has been scientifically proven to help ease stress and bring greater relaxation. In "The Joy of Self-Care", Becca Anderson offers 250 simple DIY ideas to mentally recharge & find new perspective on rest, self-worth, and personal joy. Pulling together homemade recipes, bathroom potions, garden appreciation, reflection tips, and useful crafts, Becca has a unique idea for each reader to be able to dust off their creativity cobwebs. Try not to underestimate the power of a fresh suggestion on your daily routine.
Continue your creativity with Becca Anderson on Hoopla.
Listen & Learn
If you are either a podcast fan or prefer to learn by listening, an audiobook self-care series is available for each zodiac sign’s specific astrology needs, ideas & activities. ”The Little Books of Self-Care” offer simple ways to refresh and restore not only your self-care routine but also your psyche and meditation patterns. Each audiobook runs about 2 hours & 15 minutes and offers zodiac insights into astrological balance, backgrounds, traits, and habits. Even if you don’t place much merit in astrology or your horoscope, it can be therapeutic and beneficial to reflect on how our minds process the world around us. As humans, be patiently kind and remember that we naturally enjoy interacting with each other. Listen and learn to these self-care audiobooks on Hoopla.
“Nothing I say this day will teach me anything. If I’m going to learn, I must do it by listening.” - Larry King
What You See Can Change Your Life
What is Mindfulness? What is Mindlessness?
This Kanopy documentary tells heartfelt stories of military personnel and teenagers using mindfulness to overcome their personal stress, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. These real-life examples of personal initiative and success demonstrate that the practice of mindfulness changes the brain in positive ways.
While filmed in 2014, the Mindfulness Movement is still alive and well today. The film celebrates those who have continued to reshape mindfulness into everyday, practical, self-care skills. You can practice your Mindfulness here on Kanopy.
Last, but not least, Milwaukee Public Library offers online courses through Gale on a wide range of topics, from sign language and leadership skills to computer coding and even gardening. These free 6-week classes are presented once a month as interactive learning environments that offer students supplemental training and basic skills in fields of their interest.
Educated instructors lead each online course and its lessons. After receiving a passing score on a final test, students are then provided an award of completion, useful for building resumes and interview discussion points.
Here are two helpful Gale Courses relevant to our Self-Care topic:
Introduction to Natural Health and Healing
In this course, you'll learn about the various stages of health and illness and discover that true health means wholeness of the mind, body, and spirit. Using a variety of methods like diet, hydrotherapy, positive attitude, relaxation, yoga, chiropractic, natural remedies, and more, you'll explore ways to take charge of your own health and healing.
Individual Excellence
In this course, you will learn how to improve your creative abilities, gain confidence in financial matters, and minimize conflict in your life. By the time you finish this course, you will have developed a fulfilling career plan and will hold the skills to improve your interpersonal relationships. Personal development is key to success in and out of the workplace.
In a world that can demand so much of us, please remember to be gentle with yourself. We are all worthy and capable of kindness, care, and all the blessings that life has to offer. As we honor National Self-Care Day, let's celebrate the gift of self-compassion and resilience.
This a friendly reminder that each Milwaukee Public Library branch is a judgment-free and open “Third Space” for creative interaction and public relaxation. Everyone is gladly welcome to freely visit with or without a library card. You can explore more of MPL's Self-Care options & ideas here on our new Self-Care Awareness resource page. Good luck taking your personal steps towards peace, renewal, stamina, and rest.