Techniques for Enhancing Local Happiness and Quality of Life

Libraries are not just repositories of knowledge, but also spaces for promoting wellness. This August, during National Wellness Month, libraries can make a significant impact on the mental and physical health of their patrons using the resources provided by Our Company Health and Wellness.

One in five US adults experiences mental health concerns, with anxiety and depression topping the list of conditions. Social connectedness, education, and increased access to mental health services are vital steps towards treatment. Our Company Health and Wellness houses content on effective mental health-related resources and strategies, including guidance on reflecting and adjusting bedtime routines.

Physical health is equally important. A healthy diet is essential for overall well-being and can help prevent chronic health concerns. The library can use Our Company Health and Wellness to share basic healthy eating guidelines and strategies. Exercise, with its numerous health benefits, including strengthening bones and muscles, improving cardiovascular health, and enhancing sleep and mood, is an excellent library-based exercise option. Yoga, with its minimal equipment and space needs, is a particularly suitable choice.

Sleep is critical during significant human developmental phases, notably early childhood and teenage years. Lack of sleep impairs cognitive function, making it difficult to communicate and concentrate. During sleep, nutrient-rich cerebrospinal fluid flushes toxins from the brain, stimulating brain activity upon waking. Libraries can feature a healthy sleep reading list or even develop a bedtime playlist.

Libraries can also address the issue of excessive screen time, which contributes to several concerning mental and physical health issues. Screen-free activities, such as group walks or green space activities, can be organised to encourage patrons to disconnect and reconnect with nature.

A Wellness Wall can be created to feature daily wellness tips, inspirational quotes, and small challenges such as mindfulness moments or hydration reminders. This wall can be updated dynamically with curated tips, articles, or subscription resources from Our Company Health and Wellness. Scheduled group activities, like midday meditation or stretch breaks, can also be hosted using guided videos or live instruction.

Creating a digital or physical version of a Wellness Kudoboard, where staff and patrons post wellness inspirations, practices, or resources, can foster a sense of community and shared commitment to wellness. These ideas leverage library space and company health resources to provide accessible, diverse, and engaging wellness opportunities throughout National Wellness Month that address multiple dimensions of health—mental, physical, and social well-being.

References:

Fannie Lou Hamer Library Wellness Program
Fannie Lou Hamer Library Wellness Wall
American Psychiatric Association - Internet Addiction
Library Journal - Wellness in Libraries
Our Company Health and Wellness - Wellness Programs
Libraries, during National Wellness Month, can utilize resources from Our Company Health and Wellness to raise mental health awareness, offering content on effective strategies and resources for treating conditions like anxiety and depression.
Not only a repository of knowledge, libraries can serve as spaces for promoting physical health, sharing guidelines on healthy eating, promoting exercise like yoga, and addressing concerns related to sleep.
Sleep plays a crucial role in critical human developmental phases, and libraries can compile a healthy sleep reading list or create a bedtime playlist to aid in better sleep.
Libraries can also address the impact of excessive screen time on mental and physical health, encouraging screen-free activities like group walks or green space activities.
A Wellness Wall can be created, featuring tips, quotes, and challenges from Our Company Health and Wellness, along with scheduled group activities like meditation or stretch breaks.
A digital or physical Wellness Kudoboard can foster a sense of community, where staff and patrons share wellness practices, inspirations, and resources.
Libraries can offer resources for fitness and exercise, cardiovascular health, eye health, skin care, and therapies and treatments for various medical conditions, including chronic diseases and respiratory conditions.
By leveraging library space and resources from Our Company Health and Wellness, libraries can provide accessible, diverse, and engaging wellness opportunities that address multiple dimensions of health—mental, physical, and social well-being.

References:- Fannie Lou Hamer Library Wellness Program- Fannie Lou Hamer Library Wellness Wall- American Psychiatric Association - Internet Addiction- Library Journal - Wellness in Libraries- Our Company Health and Wellness - Wellness Programs