GW’s Milken Institute School of Public Health is one of the most highly ranked public health graduate schools in the U.S. and provides education and research across biostatistics and bioinformatics, environmental and occupational health, epidemiology, exercise and nutrition science, global health, health policy and management, and prevention and community health. Today’s post highlights public health journals in Himmelfarb’s collection! Our journal collection includes more than 330 public health journal titles - here are some highlights of four of these great titles:
Health Affairs: Health Affairs has been our most-used public health journal (based on usage statistics from 2015-2022) for years! First published in 1981, this journal explores both domestic and international health policy issues, to promote analysis and discussion on improving health and healthcare, and to address issues including cost, quality, and access to healthcare. Health Affairs addresses healthcare system change from a variety of perspectives through data, analysis, policy proposals, and commentary.
American Journal of Public Health (AJPH): AJPH is our second-highest-used public health journal (based on usage statistics from 2015-2022). First published in 1911, AJPH is the official journal of the American Public Health Association and was voted one of the 100 Most Influential Journals in Biology and Medicine over the past 100 years. AJPH publishes the best scientific, public health research and aims to promote diverse public health practice models and increase understanding of public health problems and their solutions.
Journal of Public Health: This journal publishes research on the theory and practice of the whole spectrum of public health including all domains of health improvement, health protection, service improvement, public health ethics, and public health law. In-depth looks into the causes of disease and how to prevent ill health and promote good health are the main focus of this title.
Public Health Reports: The official journal of the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General and the U.S. Public Health Service, Public Health Reports publishes research, reviews, and commentaries related to public health practice and methodology, public health law, and teaching. Topics such as disease surveillance, infectious and chronic diseases, occupational disease and injury, immunization, and health disparities are key focuses of this journal.
“Winter blues” is a colloquial term people use when describing the general sense of sluggishness, mental/emotional fatigue and lack of interest in normal hobbies or activities during the winter months. Many people self-report mood or behavior changes during the late fall and winter seasons. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression “characterized by its recurrent seasonal pattern, with symptoms lasting about 4 to 5 months per year.” (National Institute of Mental Health, n.d., para. 4) It may be difficult for people to openly discuss their mental health or seek out help for severe symptoms. January is Mental Wellness Month and an opportune time to have open, honest conversations about mental health care with your patients and social circle.
Despite many people reporting lower energy levels and experiencing extended periods of sadness or loss of interest in daily activities during the winter season, people may be unaware of the symptoms of SAD or how to treat it. Have conversations with your patients about their mood and engagement with hobbies during the late fall and winter period. Ask if they have access to a mental health specialist or if they’re interested in working with a specialist. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has a webpage dedicated to SAD including a thorough explanation of the disorder, common symptoms associated with it and potential treatment options. Sharing this information with patients will help them learn that SAD is a common experience and may reduce shame people experience when discussing their mental health.
If a professional mental health specialist is not an option for your patients, work with them to develop a management plan that prioritizes their mental well-being. Ask about their sleeping habits, how often they exercise and their social connections. Share research findings that discuss the importance of developing healthier habits and how these habits can reduce stress and improve moods. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Service has accessible pages that include practical tips on how to develop better nutrition, physical activity and sleep habits. This is a great resource to share with your patients.
Taking care of our mental health allows us to stay present and not feel overwhelmed by the difficult periods we encounter. Mental health is just as important as physical health. For Mental Wellness Month, spend time evaluating your current mental health and make changes by incorporating more self-care into your routine. Ask for help if you need it and explore one of the many resources listed above to begin your journey towards mental wellness.
Himmelfarb Library’s Scholarly Communications Committee is pleased to announce five new short video tutorials have been added to our video library! This video library now includes 30 short 3-7 minute videos on a variety of scholarly publishing topics, perfect for microlearning! This round of new videos covers topics including human participant research support, addressing health misinformation and disinformation, using Dimensions Analytics, Cabells Journalytics, and finding an author’s H-Index using Google Scholar and Scopus.
Are you interested in learning more about the resources available to support human participant research at George Washington University? This video includes information about the Office of Human Research (OHR), Institutional Review Boards (IRB), and CITI Training available through GW in this short three and half minute video.
This five-minute video discusses how to address health mis- and disinformation. Learn the difference between mis- and disinformation, the different types of mis- and disinformation, why this matters in relation to healthcare providers and health literacy, and how to address mis- and disinformation with patients.
Dimensions, a database from Digital Science, tracks research output and has information about grants, publications, datasets, clinical trials, policy documents, and more. This tutorial provides a brief overview of Dimensions Analytics, which allows you to track and visualize research output trends, and allows for more comprehensive functionality. Several examples of use cases are also included.
This five-minute tutorial provides an overview of Cabells Journalytics, a tool that can be used to evaluate and compare journals in which to publish a manuscript. Learn how to access Cabells Journalytics, and see example journal records to see the depth of information provided about each journal. You’ll also learn how to compare up to five journals.
In this five-minute tutorial, you’ll learn more about what the H-Index is (a measure of both quantity and quality of research output) and how it is used to track researcher productivity. This tutorial will then walk you through how to find an H-Index using both Google Scholar and Scopus, and why there is sometimes a difference in the H-Index value between these two sources.
This newest installment of videos is part of the Scholarly Communications Committee’s Short Video Series, which covers a wide range of scholarly communications-related topics and covers all phases of the research life cycle. Have a scholarly publishing topic that you’d like us to discuss? We’d love to hear from you! To suggest a topic for an upcoming video, please contact Sara Hoover at shoover@gwu.edu.
To learn more about scholarly publishing, check out our Scholarly Publishing Guide. This guide includes resources to help scholars find an appropriate journal in which to publish their research, tips on how to spot and avoid predatory publishers, and information on how to promote and increase the visibility of your published research.
Photo by cottonbro from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/mri-images-of-the-brain-5723883/
Warning: This post contains discussion of murder.
A handful of serial killers have gained extreme notoriety in popular culture. You might recognize the names Richard Ramirez, Jeffrey Dahmer, John Wayne Gacy, and Ed Gein. These four infamous men have something else in common too, and it might surprise you. All four reportedly suffered head trauma as children.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a leading cause of death and disability in the juvenile population (Williams et al., 2018). In a previous post in this series, we examined the effects of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which results from repeated head trauma. However, even just one moderate-to-severe head injury can have serious repercussions.
A traumatic brain injury is defined as “an insult to the brain by an external mechanical force” (Williams et al., 2018). Moderate-to-severe TBI cases are characterized by at least one of the following: >30 minutes loss of consciousness, >24 hours altered mental status, >24 hours post-traumatic amnesia, or a score of <13 on the Glasgow Coma Scale (DynaMed). In such cases, internal bleeding and hypoxia can occur.
When someone suffers a TBI, there is a risk of developing long-term neurocognitive issues including loss of executive function, impulsivity, and aggression (Williams et al., 2018). In turn, this could lead to social issues; for example, people with serious brain injury might have fewer educational and employment opportunities, and might be more likely to abuse drugs (Williams et al., 2018).
Thus, TBIs could potentially lead to a number of behavioral and social risk factors for violent crime. Studies have borne out this connection; for example, a 2011 meta-analysis found a significantly higher prevalence of TBIs among incarcerated people as compared to the general population (Farrer & Hedges, 2011).
So, do TBIs turn someone into a killer? No, it’s not that simple. First, of course, the overwhelming majority of people who suffer head trauma in their youth do not become serial killers. Moreover, it can be hard to distinguish correlation from causation in these cases because certain factors, such as low socioeconomic status and aggressive and risk-seeking behavior, can predispose one to both TBI and criminal activity (Williams et al., 2018). As well, there are a great number of other biopsychosocial factors associated with serial killers, including experiencing child abuse or having mental illnesses like antisocial personality disorder or psychopathy.
The four serial killers mentioned here were convicted of the murders of 65 people in total. Did traumatic brain injury play a role in this massive loss of life?
Do you know of another interesting true crime case with medical connections? Email Rachel Brill at rgbrill@gwu.edu.
Farrer TJ, Hedges DW. Prevalence of traumatic brain injury in incarcerated groups compared to the general population: a meta-analysis. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2011 Mar 30;35(2):390-4. doi: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2011.01.007. Epub 2011 Jan 14. PMID: 21238529. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21238529/
Williams WH, Chitsabesan P, Fazel S, McMillan T, Hughes N, Parsonage M, Tonks J. Traumatic brain injury: a potential cause of violent crime? Lancet Psychiatry. 2018 Oct;5(10):836-844. doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30062-2. Epub 2018 Feb 26. Erratum in: Lancet Psychiatry. 2018 Jul 17;: PMID: 29496587; PMCID: PMC6171742. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6171742/
January is Cervical Health Awareness Month. Himmelfarb Library is proud to support our Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN) students and faculty by providing a glance at our top OB-GYN e-books and e-journals.
OB-GYN E-Books
Hacker & Moore’s Essentials of Obstetrics & Gynecology: This book is a go-to choice for OB-GYN residents and medical students because of its concise focus, comprehensive coverage, and easy-to-use format. This edition features updated clinical cases and assessments, and text and images that reflect today’s best knowledge on the evaluation, diagnosis, and management of a wide range of OB-GYN disorders. Print copies are also available in Himmelfarb’s stacks for check-out, as well as in the first and third-floor reference collections, and course reserves collections that are available for in-library use (Call number: RG101 .E87 2016).
Williams Obstetrics: This landmark text has defined the discipline for generations of obstetrician-gynecologists and continues to be an essential text within the field! This book contains comprehensive coverage of anatomy and physiology, preterm labor, pregnancy-related infection, hemorrhage, and hypertension. Reviews of the newest advances and protocols, current professional and academic guidelines, evidence-based highlights, and 1,000 illustrations are included. Print copies are available in Himmelfarb’s stacks for checkout and for in-library use in the first-floor reference collection (Call number: RG525 .W634 2022).
Williams Gynecology: This combined medical reference and surgical procedural atlas includes comprehensive, evidence-based coverage of gynecologic healthcare and disease management. As an authoritative guide, this book provides treatment algorithms, differential diagnosis boxes, more than 450 full-color figures depicting operative techniques, and content on minimally invasive procedures, benign gynecology, urogynecology, gynecologic oncology, and reproductive endocrinology.
Netter’s Obstetrics & Gynecology: This edition offers excellent illustrated coverage of common OB-GYN conditions and problems. Classic Netter images are paired with concise, evidence-based descriptions of common diseases, conditions, diagnostics, treatments, and protocols. The combination of large, clear illustrations and short, concise text makes this a great everyday reference for clinical practice, as well as for staff and patient education.
OB-GYN E-Journals
Obstetrics & Gynecology: This journal is a valuable resource for any physician specializing in women’s health. Published monthly, issues include clinical research on current developments in obstetrics, gynecology, and women’s total health care.
Women’s Health Issues: Published bimonthly, this multidisciplinary journal publishes research and reviews related to women’s health care and policy. The official journal of the Jacobs Institute of Women’s Health, this journal’s specific focus is on women’s issues in the context of the U.S. healthcare delivery system and policymaking processes.
Maternal and Child Health Journal: This journal publishes papers that address maternal and child health practice, policy, and research on topics including epidemiology, demography, health status assessment, innovative service initiatives, program implementation, policy analysis, advocacy, and professional development.
Fertility and Sterility: This journal publishes articles in clinical and laboratory research relevant to reproductive endocrinology, urology, andrology, physiology, immunology genetics, contraception, and menopause. This is a great resource for anyone who treats or investigates problems of infertility and human reproductive disorders.
In addition to the great titles listed above, check out our Obstetrics and Gynecology Guide for more OB-GYN resources including textbooks, recent faculty publications, and useful databases and journals.
Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library is hosting the National Library of Medicine traveling exhibition, Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine in Harry Potter's World. The exhibit is on the library’s first floor. It explores Renaissance era mythology, herbology, and texts inspiring Rowling’s fantasy series in a set of six panels featuring materials from the National Library of Medicine’s historical collections.
Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine in Harry Potter's World exhibit panels at Himmelfarb Library
Among the surprising Renaissance era true stories behind the books, did you know that Nicholas Flamel was an actual 14th century alchemist who invented a Philosopher’s Stone? The object was rumored to be able to turn all metals into gold and create an elixir granting immortality. However, it apparently didn't work for its inventor, as Flamel died in 1417. Rowling used Flamel and his Philosopher’s Stone as the key plot device for the first Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
The exhibit also features Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim of the 15th century, a physician and occultist who wrote De Occulta Philosophia. He believed magic could benefit mankind if used respectfully.
“...in its original and pure form, magic was a sacred body of knowledge, providing the possibility of human dominion over all of created nature (elemental, celestial, and intellectual).”
Compagni, VP. (2021, Mar 18). Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
Agrippa’s ideas frequently put him at odds with the church and rulers of his day, forcing him to move from country to country and change occupations frequently.1
In the 16th century, Konrad Gesner authored Historiae Animalium, a work of zoology that contained detailed descriptions and illustrations of animals, including basilisks, dragons and unicorns, all featured in the Harry Potter series. Gesner speculated that unicorns were “lost in the Flood,” and wrote about the medical uses of unicorn horn as a cure for poison and epilepsy.2 Apothecaries of the time claimed to stock it.
The “female mandrake” was illustrated in the Hortus Sanitatis (Garden of Health) which described the medicinal uses of mandrake and showed the root as resembling a human figure. Mandrake was used as an anesthetic and was believed to have magical powers, including the fatal scream featured in Chamber of Secrets.
Want to explore more about the Renaissance traditions and writings inspiring Harry Potter’s world? Visit Himmelfarb Library between January 17 and February 25, 2023 to view the exhibit. Stay tuned to our blog and social media channels for upcoming activities related to the exhibit.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is well known for his passionate and thoughtful speeches that examined racial discrimination in the United States, the negative impacts of poverty and a need for communities to rally behind and support vulnerable populations. One of his most well known speeches, ‘I Have a Dream,’ occurred on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963 during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
Dr. King’s speeches primarily focused on education, access to housing, racial desegregation in public and private spaces and building an equitable country. But on March 25, 1966, Dr. King spoke at a meeting of the Medical Committee for Human Rights where he discussed racial inequities and health. The full transcript for this speech has not been discovered, though fragments of it were printed in newspapers. Similar to Dr. King’s other speeches, his speech at the meeting not only addressed the harsh realities of people of color, particularly Black Americans, in the country, but also urged the listeners to educate themselves on these inequities and pursue action to dismantle systemic oppression.
Due to the lack of a speech transcript, there are different iterations of Dr. King’s words and thoughts on health inequity. Professor Charlene Galarneau uses the following quote in her article ‘Getting King’s Words Right’:
“We are concerned about the constant use of federal funds to support this most notorious expression of segregation. Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and the most inhuman because it often results in physical death.
I see no alternative to direct action and creative nonviolence to raise the conscience of the nation.” (Galarneau, 2018, p. 5)
Galarneau states that these words were spoken during a press conference before the annual meeting and were documented by news sources such as the Associated Press. We may never know Dr. King’s exact words during the press conference or during his speech, but this quote shows that Dr. King understood the pressing need to address injustices in health.
During the time of his speech, Black patients and healthcare providers were facing widespread discrimination in healthcare centers. Organizations like the Medical Committee for Human Rights sought to address the healthcare needs of underserved communities, while also building healthcare centers that would continue the work once the committee’s healthcare workers relocated. “A predominantly white organization, the committee would continue to assist civil rights workers in Mississippi and other southern states but shifted its focus to deal with health problems facing thousands of poor blacks who lacked any medical services.” (Dittmer, 2014, p. 746)
Dr. King’s speech highlighted another area of society that suffered from racial and economic discrimination, thus furthering the divide between the privileged and underserved. As Galarneau writes in her article “King’s words remind us that health and health care are social goods at the community and national levels. As such health and health care are socially created and require social responsibility in a collective agreement about what constitutes health in/justice.”(Galarneau, 2018, p. 7)
Dr. King’s remarks are also a call to action. He believed that everyone had a role to play in dismantling injustices domestically and globally. He strongly encouraged people to seek out information about the issues related to racism and economic inequality and apply this knowledge to establish and maintain inclusive communities.
As we all spend the MLK holiday weekend reflecting on the words and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Himmelfarb Library would like to offer resources and promote events that build upon the advocacy work that Dr. King participated in. Himmelfarb Library’s Diversity and Disparities in Health Care, Diversity in Dermatology and Humanities & Health Collection highlight library resources that explore topics related to inequities in health care and how to build a more inclusive health care system.
If you are interested in taking action to address health inequities, consider joining local student or professional organizations such as White Coats for Black Lives, Antiracism Nursing Student Alliance or Black Public Health Student Network. Collaborate with your peers to find creative solutions to teach the public about health injustices or search for local issues that may need your support.
Dr. King understood that a coalition was required to build an inclusive and equitable future and we can honor his legacy by connecting with like-minded community members and seeking out their advice and feedback.
References:
Galarneau, C. (2018). Getting King’s Words Right. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 29(1), 5–8. https://doi.org/10.1353/hpu.2018.0001
We’re two weeks into 2023 already! For many people, by mid to late January, life’s normal routines start to take over and the good intentions that helped produce that laundry list of New Year’s resolutions begin to fade. It’s easy to lose focus on your resolutions when the daily needs of work, school, and family responsibilities prioritize your time. When it’s only a couple of weeks into the new year and you’ve already failed to stick to your new habits, it’s easy to lose motivation and even let feelings of failure creep into our minds.
Some of the most common New Year’s resolutions include getting in shape, eating healthier, saving more money, starting a new hobby, quitting smoking, reading more, and being more organized (St. Luke’s Health, 2021). While these are great aspirations, the way you frame your goals - whether it’s a New Year’s resolution, a work or research-related goal, or a personal goal - can have a sizable impact on your ability to achieve them. It’s also important to remember to be compassionate towards yourself during the process of achieving your goals. The trick is to find a balance between creating achievable goals, holding yourself accountable, and not beating yourself up when you stumble along the way.
What’s Motivating Your Resolutions?
The first step towards achieving any goal is ensuring that the goal is realistic and achievable. Consider your motivations behind wanting to achieve a specific goal. Let’s take two of the most common New Year’s resolutions as examples: 1) getting in shape/exercising more and 2) eating healthier. Both of these goals should help improve your health. If either of these is among your goals for 2023, take a moment to think about why you want to do these things.
Do you want to improve your health and wellness? Do you want to not be out of breath so quickly when you go for a walk or take the stairs? Has a doctor recommended lifestyle changes related to nutrition and exercise to help better control a condition like hypertension or diabetes? Or does your motivation stem from a more negative place, such as societal pressure to be a certain body type? Do you feel shame or embarrassment about not fitting into a specific definition of beauty?
Examining why you actually want to achieve a certain goal may actually help you realize that you don’t want to achieve that goal after all. Pursuing a New Year’s resolution that’s motivated by fear, shame, or the desire to impress others is not likely to be a resolution you will stick with (St. Luke’s Health, 2021). Instead, choose resolutions that will enrich your life, bring you joy, and that you are doing for yourself, not for anyone else. Pursuing a goal that’s grounded in positive self-motivation will help you keep working towards your desired outcome.
Creating Achievable Goals
Creating SMART goals can be extremely beneficial when it comes to helping you create achievable resolutions. SMART goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound/trackable. Many people fail at achieving or maintaining their New Year’s resolutions because they are far too broad.
Make sure your resolutions are specific to your goal. A resolution such as “get in shape” or “exercise more” is very general. What does “get in shape” mean to you? Do you want to be able to jog or run a 5K in six months' time? What’s your current exercise routine like? Do you have one? If you don’t, exercising more might mean exercising for 20 minutes two or three times a week. If you’re already exercising three days a week, consider increasing that to five days a week.
Be Flexible
While creating specific goals is great, remember to be flexible when needed. If you find that exercising for 20 minutes three times a week isn’t working with your schedule, don’t give up. It doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing mindset. If you can make 15 minutes, twice a week work with your schedule, go for it! An all-or-something mindset is just fine, so be flexible and show yourself some grace when things get busy.
Be Approach-Oriented
A 2020 study that examined New Year’s resolutions and people’s ability to stick to them, investigated whether different resolutions had different success rates and if it was possible to increase the likelihood of a resolution’s success by providing information and exercises on effective goal-setting. One set of participants was asked to “formulate goals in terms of approaching rather than avoiding something” (Oscarsson et al., 2020). For example, rather than setting a goal to “eat less processed foods” (avoidance-oriented), participants could set a goal to “eat 5 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables per day” (approach-oriented). 58.9% of participants who set approach-oriented resolutions considered themselves to have been successful in their New Year’s resolutions, compared to only 47.1% of participants who had set avoidance-oriented resolutions (Oscarsson et al., 2020). Reframing your goals into language that is inclusive (“eat 3 pieces of fruit every day”), rather than restrictive (“don’t eat/eat less processed foods”) helps you feel like you aren’t restricting yourself, and should help reduce feelings of missing out on the things you previously enjoyed.
Make Self-Care a Priority
Every day won’t be a success in pursuit of your goals, and that’s okay. Remember that failure is often just a first attempt at learning, and that you can use the lessons learned from failure to do better next time. Recognize and acknowledge that there will be times when you will struggle and even fail along the way, and remember to show yourself some grace and kindness during these times. Make self-care a priority in your journey toward achieving your resolutions. Self-care resources and tools that can help you on the path towards achieving your goals can be found on Himmelfarb’s Healthy Living @ Himmelfarb Guide.
We wish you all the best in your journey to achieve your 2023 goals!
References:
Oscarsson, M., Carlbring, P., Andersson, G., & Rozental, A. (2020). A large-scale experiment on New Year's resolutions: Approach-oriented goals are more successful than avoidance-oriented goals. PloS one, 15(12), e0234097. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0234097
2023 marks the 52nd anniversary of the National Blood Donor Month! This is a perfect time to understand the many benefits of donating blood, especially during the months when it is most critically needed. Currently, hospitals stand at concerning levels with regards to blood supply.
January is well known for being a time of self reflection & change, and a time where we make goals centered around what we desire to accomplish in life. What better way to support not only ourselves, but each other by making a contribution to the many who are in need? All types are accepted, and type O is needed the most.
To make an appointment to donate, contact the American Red Cross by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).Those who have received Moderna or Pfizer COVID vaccines are eligible to donate without wait. Remember, a donation is not simply a donation, but also an action which can help save lives.
To learn more about the importance of blood donation, visit the Association for the Advancement for Blood & Biotherapies website to learn about blood as an essential medicine and about how our community is making an effort to drive donor diversity. Also, donating blood is also a way to receive a free health screening? Some underlying health conditions such as genetic mutations or hereditary hemochromatosis can be found simply by donating blood.
Lastly, did you know that the School of Medicine and Health Sciences actually has a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Blood Banking for Medical Laboratory Science? To find more about this online program, its career outlook and curriculum, we highly recommend that you request more information to see if this is the right course for you.
‘Tis the season of New Year’s resolutions! If your goals for 2023 include healthy living, Himmelfarb’shealthy living collection can help. Healthy living collection books can be checked out for 3 weeks with up to 2 renewals. You can find the collection on the first floor of Himmelfarb in the shelving area in front of the elevator. To help you on your healthy living journey, here are some books available in this collection:
Seeking Serenity: The 10 New Rules for Health and Happiness in the Age of Anxiety: by Amanda Enayati. This book examines life in the modern age of anxiety and outlines ten principles for living stress-free: belong, be happy, be resilient, be creative, be loving, be giving, be uncluttered, be healthy, be present, and be free. This book offers a big-picture view of stress beyond a medical standpoint and includes essential spiritual, philosophical, cultural, and personal perspectives. (Call number: BF 575.S75 E53 2015; 1st floor, healthy living collection).
Mindful Crafts as Therapy: Engaging More than Hands: by Cynthia L. Evetts and Suzanne M. Peloquin. Arts and crafts were one of the first forms of therapies employed by occupational therapists. Crafts are still employed as effective interventions. This book explores a wide range of engaging crafts and explains how the key tasks associated with an activity are linked to functional outcomes. Modifications to meet the specific needs of individual patients are included. (Call number: RM735.3 .E94 2017; 1st floor, healthy living collection).
Lagom: The Swedish Art of Balanced Living: by Linna Dunne. The Swedish concept of Lagom (pronounced “lah-gom”) roughly translates to “not too little, not too much, just right.” This book explores a new way of balanced living that promises happiness and sustainability in work and life. Learn simple solutions to help you juggle everyday priorities, reduce stress, eat well, and save money. Topics include the importance of downtime, being outdoors, and Sweden’s coffee break culture. Lagom presents an accessible and all-encompassing lifestyle that inspires mindfulness, well-being, and contentment. (Call number: BJ1495 .D86 2017; 1st floor, healthy living collection).
The Mindfulness Solution: Everyday Practices for Everyday Problems: by Ronald D. Siegel. Mindfulness offers a path to well-being and tools for coping with life’s hurdles. This book explores effective strategies to use while driving to work, walking the dog, or washing the dishes, plus tips on creating a formal practice routine in as little as 20 minutes a day. Flexible, step-by-step action plans will help you become more focused and efficient in daily life; cope with difficult feelings, such as anger and sadness; feel more rested and less stressed; curb unhealthy habits; find relief from anxiety and depression; and resolve stress-related pain, insomnia, and other physical problems. (Available as an e-book, and in print: Call number: BF637 .M4 S54 2010; 1st floor, healthy living collection).
Live Longer, Live Better: Avoid the Risks: by William M. Manger and Edward J. Roccella. This book contains a lot of helpful information about how to improve and maintain good health and provides tips for minimizing disease and injury whenever possible. (Call number: RA776.75 .M362 2017; 1st floor, healthy living collection).
The Perks of a Positive Attitude: A Practical Guide to Happiness and Success: by Winsome Campbell-Green. This book explores the right to happiness and success and provides an approach to achieving happiness by developing our mind and applying it through personal development. Success can be achieved by changing our approach, being consistent, and keeping a positive outlook. (Call number: BF204.6 .C367 2012; 1st floor, healthy living collection).
If your 2023 goals include maintaining or creating healthy lifestyle habits, be sure to check out our newly updated Healthy Living @ Himmelfarb Guide for more health and wellness resources. And don’t forget about our exercise equipment and games available on the first floor near the printer!
