As someone who struggles with mental health, I know that things have been especially hard while in quarantine. Anxiety is heightened, depression flares up, and a sense of hopelessness can become overwhelming. First, please don’t judge yourself if you feel your mental health is struggling right now. Be gentle with yourself. You are not alone in feeling the way you do and there are online resources out there that you can lean on for support.
For anxiety sufferers, check out the Anxiety and Phobia Workbook or The Heal Your Anxiety Workbook. Part memoir, part history, My Age of Anxiety is available in ebook and downloadable audiobook.
If your depression is in full force right now, you’re not alone. Try Unstuck: Your Guide to the Seven-Stage Journey Out of Depression. The Mindful Way through Depression is part of our Always Available collection on Overdrive, which means you don’t have to get on a waiting list. If workbooks are more your style, try The Cognitive Behavioral Workbook for Depression.
Many studies have shown that exercise and practices like mindfulness and yoga can help ease anxiety and depression. But remember, be gentle with yourself. Don’t feel like you have to do an intense workout routine when you can barely manage to shower or brush your hair (believe, me I’ve been there). Mindfulness is defined as “a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.” Anyone can practice mindfulness.
If you’d rather watch a video than read, check out The Mindfulness Movie via Hoopla. The Miracle of Mindfulness and Happiness: Essential Mindfulness Practices, both by Thich Nhat Hanh, are part of our Always Available audiobook collection on Overdrive, so there’s no waiting list. Other popular titles include Get Some Headspace: How Mindfulness Can Change Your Life in Ten Minutes a Day and Mindfulness for Beginners.
For some gentle, low-impact yoga routines, check out Yoga for Depression and Anxiety, Meditation, Yoga, and Guided Imagery, and Chair Yoga on Kanopy. On Hoopla, check out Yoga For Health with Jenny Cornero: Fears & Anxiety and Yoga for Health with Jenny Cornero: Depression. Looking to add some meditation into your yoga routine? Read Meditations from the Mat on Overdrive.
Stay safe. Stay healthy. We got this Seattle.
~posted by Gabbie D.
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