Here is a list of recommended library resources to help de-stress and re-charge this holiday season (just in time for 2022!), courtesy of the Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County NY staff.
Books
10% happier: how I tamed the voice in my head, reduced stress without losing my edge, and found self by Dan Harris
The awakened brain: the new science of spirituality and our quest for an inspired life by Lisa Miller, (Clinical psychologist)
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Breathe, empower, achieve: 5-minute mindfulness for women who do it all by Shonda Moralis
Fierce self-compassion: how women can harness kindness to speak up, claim their power, and thrive by Kristin Neff
Good morning, I love you: mindfulness + self-compassion practices to rewire your brain for calm by Shauna L. Shapiro
The happiness curve: why life gets better after 50 by Jonathan Rauch
Happy, not perfect: upgrade your mind, challenge your thoughts, and free yourself from anxiety by Jamie Poppy
Love your body feed your soul: self-care rituals and recipes for your inner goddess by Summer Sanders, (Nutritionist)
Little pieces of hope: happy-making things in a difficult world by Todd Doughty
Meditation for fidgety skeptics: a 10% happier how-to book by Dan Harris
Navigating the pandemic: stories of hope and resilience edited by Teresa Schreiber Werth
Outsmart your pain: mindfulness and self-compassion to help you leave chronic pain behind by Christiane Wolf, (Mindfulness teacher)
Real change: mindfulness to heal ourselves and the world by Sharon Salzberg
Real love: the art of mindful connection by Sharon Salzberg
Still life: the myths and magic of mindful living by Rebecca Pacheco
Stay woke: a meditation guide for the rest of us by Justin Williams
Think like a monk: train your mind for peace and purpose every day by Jay Shetty
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
What happened to you?: conversations on trauma, resilience, and healing by Bruce Duncan Perry
Wintering: the power of rest and retreat in difficult times by Katherine May
The wisdom of anxiety: how worry & intrusive thoughts are gifts to help you heal by Sheryl Paul
Books on CD
Conquer Stress (Inner Mastery Series)
Guided meditation for releasing anxiety and stress.
Mindfulness Meditation with Jon Kabat-Zinn
A 4-CD set to help listeners with calming breathing, awareness exercises, walking meditations, and emotional meditation.
8 Keys to Stress Management by Elizabeth Ann Scott
Therapist and wellness coach Scott offers simple methods to deal with life’s stressors.
Indigo Ocean Dreams
An audiobook for children, designed to relax and de-stress your child while entertaining them with four stories.
The Ladies No. One Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith
This 22-book series has provided smiles and comfort to many over the years. Mma Ramotswe’s gentle wisdom is welcome in troubled times.
DVDs
Cooking and Home Crafts
The Great British Baking Show
This popular baking competition show has been broadcast for 12 seasons. Lively hosts and judges make this perennial favorite and viewership increased during the pandemic.
Homestead Blessings: The Art of Sewing
One of the Homestead Blessings series by the West Ladies, part of a homesteading family. The Ladies present sewing tips in a clear and comforting way. Many people took up a craft during the pandemic.
Brewmaster
This documentary explores what it takes to be a brewmaster, examining the talents of many of the best U.S. beer makers.
Entertainment
“Zombieland”
A 2009 comedy-zombie movie which enjoyed renewed popularity during the lockdown of 2020. Starring Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, Jesse Eisenberg, and Abigail Breslin.
“All of My Heart: Inn Love” (Hallmark)
A Hallmark romance with gentle themes and a happy ending.
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel (2014)
Counterintuitively, many readers were drawn to apocalyptic stories. Set right after a deadly world pandemic, a band of survivors struggle to save what’s left of civilization by forming an itinerant Shakespeare acting company.
Music CDs
Floating Points: Pharoah Sanders and the London Symphony Orchestra (JAZZ FLOA PRO)
Floating Points, aka Sam Shepherd, creates electronic music that defies categorization; it is a mixture of jazz and classical to create a peaceful and flowing work of modern music.
Da Pacem: Arvo Part
Estonian composer Part creates sacred music that embodies his own style, called “Tintinnabuli” (Latin for “bell”) which is a minimalist style of chanting with two distinct voices.
*Many book titles are available in multiple formats (Books on CD; Large Print, etc). For ease of use, the links listed here are for the standard book version of each title. Links will provide information on where books are at the time of your search. Library patrons can also place a hold and have titles sent to the library of their choice.
