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A little late in the month but…September is library card sign-up month! I know, this is a wellness blog, not a reading club. In my family, however, the library and the books and activities that it beholds are an integral part of our whole-person wellness. We are very grateful to live close to many great […]
Cortisol is known as the stress hormone. It is made in the adrenal gland and is elevated when we experience heightened anxiety or stress. When we are relaxed, it is decreased. Chronic stress means chronically high cortisol. While cortisol is needed for the fight or flight response when we experience acute stress, chronically high cortisol […]
I naturally clench my jaw when I’m working or concentrating but a few years ago, I started to notice regular jaw tension and attributed it to higher stress levels–I guess a global pandemic will do that. I got a cheap drugstore night guard to protect my teeth at night but that wasn’t going to address […]
My close friends and colleagues are probably tired of me plugging public libraries or library resources whenever I get a chance BUT libraries are wonderful community hubs! I blame it on the fact that my mom worked as a librarian intermittently over the years and my dad serves on the library board in my hometown. […]
Stress can be a powerful and often unnoticed force in your life. It can influence weight, mental health, quality of sleep, and have effects on blood pressure, heart rate, and the immune system. When chronic stress is present, a hormone called cortisol is released which increases glucose in the bloodstream. This increase in glucose is […]
Have you been finding yourself extra stressed, tired, or distracted during work? Truth is, you may be overworking and could benefit from taking breaks throughout the workday. There are many physical and mental benefits of taking breaks at work and they can also boost productivity significantly. This blog will teach you why breaks are essential […]
The holiday season is often exciting and joyful, but it can also bring extra stressors into your daily life. With more, holiday cooking, gift shopping, social-distance socializing, and 2020 in general, it can become easy to get caught up in the stress and forget to take time for yourself. Even on the busiest of days, […]
Following a mindful breathing technique is one of the simplest ways to calm the mind and body and refocus in times of stress. If you are feeling overwhelmed, take a moment to focus on your breath by following these steps: Become aware of your posture. Sit or stand up straight so you are alert, but […]
I do not know about you, but I constantly find myself physically or mentally on the go all day long; thinking about the next project, and how I can get two things done at once. I have always found traditional yoga classes extremely relaxing and so worth the hour session, but my most stressful days […]
Back to school season can be stressful in a normal year, but with COVID-19 and switching to virtual or hybrid schooling plans this year is bringing extra challenges. In our programs, we discuss the importance of mindfulness and managing stress as strategies to reach our health goals. Here are a few strategies that may help […]