National Wellness Month
National Wellness Month is celebrated every August to encourage individuals to prioritize self-care, manage stress and establish healthier routines.
This year, the library's featured programs, book discussions and collections focus on holistic health, encompassing physical and emotional wellbeing.
Featured Programs
For more Health & Wellness programs, visit the library's program calendar.
Going to the Doctor Playgroup
Thursday, August 6, 10–11 a.m. / Lindsey Room
Resource Hour: Village of Arlington Heights Nursing
Thursday, August 6, 11 a.m.–noon / First Floor
Menopause 101
Tuesday, August 11, 7-8:30 p.m. / Zoom
Mental Wellness Check: When It’s More Than Stress
Thursday, August 13, 7–8:30 p.m. / Hendrickson Room
Perimenopause & Menopause Book Discussion on The New Menopause: Navigating Your Path Through Hormonal Change with Purpose, Power, and Facts by Dr. Mary Claire Haver
Tuesday, August 25, 7–8 p.m. / Cardinal Room
Featured Resources
For wellness resources and more, visit the library's Health & Wellness webpage here.
Wellness Reads
The let them theory : a life-changing tool that millions of people can't stop talking about
"If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or frustrated with where you are, the problem isn't you. The problem is the power you give to other people. Two simple words--Let Them--will set you free. Free from the opinions, drama, and judgments of others. Free from the exhausting cycle of trying to manage everything and everyone around you. The Let Them Theory puts the power to create a life you love back in your hands--and this book will show you exactly how to do it. [Robbins] teaches you how to stop wasting energy on what you can't control and start focusing on what truly matters: YOU. Your happiness. Your goals. Your life. Using the same no-nonsense, science-backed approach that's made The Mel Robbins Podcast a global sensation, Robbins explains why The Let Them Theory is already loved by millions andhow you can apply it in eight key areas of your life to make the biggest impact"--
Astro herbalism : holistic wellness and self-discovery through herbalism and astrology
"Explore the relationships between celestial bodies, astrological signs, and herbal remedies to embark on a journey self-discovery and holistic wellness. Astrology provides us with a roadmap of the soul, illuminating our individual strengths, challenges, and potential for growth. Herbalism invites us to commune with the plant kingdom to nourish our bodies, minds, and spirits. By combining these disciplines, we gain a deeper understanding of the role we play within the cosmic web of existence. Learn about the unique qualities of each celestial body and corresponding astrological signs -- from the radiant energy of the Sun to the transformative depths of Pluto -- and uncover the ways they shape our inner psyche and outer experiences. Discover the therapeutic properties of plants aligned with each celestial body and learn how to use them to restore balance and enhance mental and physical well-being. With illuminating insights and expert guidance, Astro Herbalism blends ancient wisdom with contemporary practices to create a practical tool for self-care." --
The healing power of resilience : a new prescription for health and well-being
"A revolutionary, science-backed approach to living well from ABC News chief medical correspondent and cardiologist Dr. Tara Narula, that bridges the gap between our physical and mental health to show how resilience is the key to both. As the number one leading cause of death in the United States, heart disease has several common prescriptions from cardiologists, such as medication, surgery, diet, and exercise. There is, however, one treatment that is consistently overlooked: resilience. We need resilience to get us to face new diagnoses, to show up to doctor's appointments, to take those medications, to make it through surgery (and to recover from it), and to stick to that diet or new workout plan"--
Mattering : the secret to a life of deep connection and purpose
"From award-winning journalist and bestselling author Jennifer Wallace comes Mattering-a landmark book that introduces a transformative new framework to confront the loneliness, burnout, and lack of purpose so many of us face today"-- Provided by publisher
The new menopause : navigating your path through hormonal change with purpose, power, and facts
"Menopause is inevitable, but suffering through it is not! This is the empowering approach to self-advocacy that pioneering women's health advocate Dr. Mary Claire Haver takes for women in the midst of hormonal change in The New Menopause. A comprehensive, authoritative book of science-backed information and lived experience, it covers every woman's needs: From changes in your appearance and sleep patterns to neurological, musculoskeletal, psychological, and sexual issues, a comprehensive A-Z toolkit of science-backed options for coping with symptoms. What to do to mediate the risks associated with your body's natural drop in estrogen production, including for diabetes, dementia, Alzheimer's, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and weight gain. How to advocate and prepare for annual midlife wellness visits, including questions for your doctor and how to insist on whole life care. The very latest research on the benefits and side effects of hormone replacement therapy. Arming women with the power to secure vibrant health and well-being for the rest of their lives, The New Menopause is sure to become the bible of midlife wellness for present and future generations"--
The new perimenopause : an evidence-based guide to surviving the zone of chaos and feeling like yourself again
"The #1 New York Times bestselling author of The New Menopause explains everything a woman needs to know to thrive during the often-misdiagnosed and medically ignored perimenopausal years. "I'm just not feeling like myself!" This is the battle cry of the perimenopausal woman. Though menstrual cycle changes and the emotional rollercoaster that accompanies them are the hallmarks of the transition to menopause, many women with regular periods as young as 35 can also start to feel irregular, with symptoms that include anxiety, fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, sexual symptoms, and volatile moods. This array of symptoms can be hugely disruptive--all the more so when a doctor dismisses a woman's complaints as all in her head or prescribes unnecessary and potentially harmful treatment. In The New Perimenopause, Dr. Mary Claire Haver--the trailblazing voice behind the movement to revolutionize health care for women--sets things straight. She explains that the numerous and varied symptoms of perimenopause occur in direct response to normal endocrine changes; this is the hormonal "zone of chaos." A comprehensive, authoritative book of science-backed information and lived experience, The New Perimenopause includes: Clear, science-backed explanations of what's going on in your body, from changes in your menstrual cycle to energy levels, mood, sleep, and sexual issues. How and why dealing with these changes now is preventative medicine for your later years. Checklists, questions for your doctor, and how to insist on good care. The very latest research on the benefits and side effects of progesterone therapy to help ease your hormonal transition. Whether you have symptoms or not, The New Perimenopause helps remove the mystery around this time of change, putting women in control of their health going forward." --
Eat your ice cream : six simple rules for a long and healthy life
Every day brings a torrent of articles, videos, and podcasts about health and longevity. The "Wellness Industrial Complex" offers conflicting advice and promises us more time to enjoy in the future but it sure is demanding a lot of time right now. In Eat Your Ice Cream, renowned health expert Dr. Ezekiel J. Emanuel argues that life is not a competition to live the longest, and that "wellness" shouldn't be difficult; it should be an invisible part of one's lifestyle that yields maximum health benefits with the least work. Dr. Emanuel cuts through the noise with wit and good humor, giving readers just what they need: simple, high-impact, evidence-based guidelines to issues such as food and drink, exercise, sleep, mental acuity, and social engagement. Pairing common sense with uncommon wisdom based on his decades of expertise and experience, Dr. Emanuel helps readers decide which lifestyle changes are worth making and how to best implement them. --
A nourishing perspective : reconnect with your inner voice and harmonize your relationship with food
Registered dietitian and mind-body wellness expert Lee Cotton aids women in reconnecting with their bodies' natural rhythms and hunger cues. She thoughtfully dives into the complexities of women's emotional connections to food to help them undo generational patterns of disordered eating habits without resorting to fad dieting or extreme workouts. Cotton's evidence-based and personable approach provides immediate relief for women who have engaged in a cycle of restrictive and tenuous dieting regimens. With her knowledge, readers will learn to nourish their bodies throughout the various life cycles of womanhood (i.e., childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and menopause) and achieve emotional and physical harmony with food. With a warm and sincere tone, A Nourishing Perspective invites readers to learn how to set goals, identify their specific nutritional needs, and address physical changes in their bodies with love and compassion. Cotton inspires open-ended conversation that encourages the reader to connect with their own body's cues and signals, enabling them to make choices that replenish their bodies. --from Amazon
What's true about you : 7 steps to move beyond your painful past and manifest your brightest future
"What if healing your past isn't enough to create the future you desire? We've been taught that healing is the key to freedom--that if we fix what's broken, we'll finally get to live the lives we long for. But while healing your past can save your life, it won't necessarily change your life. Healing and transformation are not the same. This book is the missing bridge between trauma recovery and the manifestation of your most expansive life. With wisdom and compassion,Thomas guides us through her radically effective, seven-step process to release false beliefs born of past pain and awaken the True Youthat's been wanting to emerge--clear, empowered, and capable of creating a life rooted in love, purpose, and possibility."--Provided by publisher
The cure for everything : the epic struggle for public health and a radical vision for human thriving
"Public health is an unusual discipline -- a combination of science, sociology, politics, and logistics--with a simple goal: to create the conditions for human thriving. At the moment, Americans, regardless of what macroeconomic statistics might suggest, are decidedly not thriving: from our failed covid response to our epidemics of depression and isolation to our inadequate healthcare system, Americans are in a state of deep malaise. Michelle Williams, one of the country's true innovators in public health, reaches back into the past to draw out the lessons that public health has to offer for our time and into the future. She tells the hidden history of public health in America--how radicals and renegades from WEB DuBois to Jane Addams to the activists of ACT UP helped lead what she calls "the great escape" from human suffering that is at the heart of the public health mission. As she takes readers from one dramatic story to the next, she draws out the lessons that apply to our time, and makes the compelling argument that it is public health, rather than standard economic metrics or partisan politics, that should drive our country's policies and political culture -- and that if we fail to prioritize health and well-being for everyone, we have failed as a society. She ends by pointing to the ideas and policies that have the potential to transform this country and fulfill our founding creed--to "promote the general welfare for ourselves and our posterity." Here is a dramatic, sweeping history that enables us to better understand the past--the victories, defeats, and tipping points that compelled us to take action--and what we need to do in the future to address new and novel threats, and complete the unfinished business of public health"-- Provided by publisher
Optimize : a groundbreaking 7-step plan to health and longevity through quantum biology
"What if the key to better health isn't just in what you eat or how much you exercise--but in how you interact with the world around you? Optimize reveals the cutting-edge science of quantum biology, showing how light, water, sound, and even human energy directly influence your body at the cellular level. We are biologically wired to exchange energy with our environment--yet modern life has severed this essential connection. Sunlight directs hormone signaling and immune function. Electrical fields guide cellular repair. Sound waves can alter the structure of water inside our bodies. Even walking barefoot on the earth reduces inflammation. In this groundbreaking book by quantum biology expert and naturopathic physician Dr. Catherine Clinton, you'll... How to harness natural energy sources for optimal health The surprising role of light and sound in cellular function Quantum biology's impact on longevity, immunity, and vitality Simple, science-backed practices to reconnect with your body's natural intelligence Rooted in the latest research, Optimize presents a revolutionary new paradigm for wellness--one that empowers you to align with nature's forces for deep healing, increased energy, and a longer, healthier life"-- Goodreads
How to live a meaningful life : using design thinking to unlock purpose, joy, and flow every day
How to Live a Meaningful Life is a nonfiction self-help book by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans that explores approaches to finding meaning and purpose in everyday life. Drawing on design thinking principles developed through Stanford University's Life Design Lab, the authors examine contemporary research on well-being and personal fulfillment. The book presents practical strategies for cultivating qualities such as engagement, coherence, community, and reflection, with the goal of helping readers make intentional choices about how they live and work. Emphasizing small, actionable steps, the authors offer tools intended to support personal growth and life satisfaction
Spirituality through a highly sensitive lens : an objective look at meditation methods and enlightenment
"Dr. Elaine Aron, world-renowned author of the groundbreaking, internationally bestselling classic The Highly Sensitive Person, gives readers everything they need to find their path toward peace, equanimity, and simply feeling okay--no matter what's happening in the world around them and how overwhelming it may be. The seeker culture of the 1960s was the catalyst for what Aron sees as a quiet spiritual revolution, like a distant supernova, visible only now. Exploring new spiritual paths, more and more people were able to shift into a state of profound inner peace, clearer focus, and nearly unshakeable calm, even amid challenging times. Those paths to enlightenment worked for them. So, how do the rest of us get there? In her most personal book yet, Dr. Aron offers the first ever objective overview of meditation methods and paths to enlightenment. Sharing practical explanations of spiritual practices as well as her own experiences from fifty-five years of meditation practice, she helps readers better understand the form of spirituality that suits them best. She also delves into the recent brain research regarding this end state, this shift that can occur. Highly sensitive people, with their natural depth of thinking and feeling, as well as their greater need for inner peace, are instinctively drawn to such a spiritual journey, but this is a book for everyone. With Dr. Aron's signature empathy and profound caring, as well as her attention to science, this one-of-a-kind guide will help all of us embark on our own spiritual journey"--
Humor me : how laughing more can make you present, creative, connected, and happy
Chris Duffy, a comedy writer and podcast host, examines the role of humor in personal well-being, creativity, and social connection. Drawing on personal experiences, including his time as a schoolteacher, as well as observations from comedy, psychology, and the social sciences, Duffy explores how humor can be developed as a skill rather than treated as an innate trait. The book combines autobiographical anecdotes with practical guidance on recognizing humor in everyday situations, taking social risks to foster connection, and using comedic principles to navigate challenges. It presents humor as a tool for resilience, communication, and self-reflection in contemporary life
Enough : your health, your weight, and what it's like to be free
"For her entire adult life, Oprah Winfrey has struggled with her weight. She never thought in her lifetime, medicines would provide hope, health, and healing for people like her. But as her conversations with Dr. Ania Jastreboff from the Yale School of Medicine reveal, we've learned that having obesity is not a choice. It's not a question of willpower. Obesity is a disease. It's a question of biology, created by our bodies' need to survive and the environment we created and now live in. And it's treatable. The new medications can lower our body fat set point (our brain's "Enough Point"), so that we lose weight without battling biology with willpower. Dr. Jastreboff describes strategies to optimize health and manage side effects all with the reassuring perspective of decades of experience treating patients with obesity and leading studies with these medications. Many of her patients say the "food noise" that plagued them for years has evaporated. They describe a new freedom from intrusive, persistent, and disruptive thoughts about food. With treatment they begin a journey of healing with self-compassion, devoid of the shame and blame they've endured from society for decades. Oprah says she's learned so much from Dr. Jastreboff about how, when it comes to weight, our bodies work with us--and also against us. How each of our struggles are different and each of our choices in living with obesity may also be different. Dr. Jastreboff's groundbreaking research offers a new way forward, not only for obesity treatment, but also for overall health, with significant implications for the prevention and reversal of hundreds of related diseases. As she demonstrates in this book, when science meets empathy, real healing becomes possible. Yes, there is a path to healing and leading the life you have always wanted, when your brain is reassured that you have "enough." -- Provided by the publisher
How to be okay when nothing is okay : tips and tricks that kept me alive, happy, and creative in spite of myself
"Warm, insightful, and witty, the first book of advice from New York Times-bestselling author Jenny Lawson-aka the Bloggess Jenny Lawson is full of contradictions. She's a celebrated author but battles self-doubt, paralysis, and anxiety. She's an award-winning humorist but struggles with treatment-resistant depression. The question she's most often asked by people is "How do you do it? How do you keep going even when it feels impossible? How do you keep creating?" This book is her answer. In How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay, Jenny shares one hundred humorous, heartfelt, and genuine tools and tricks that she relies on to keep her going even when her brain isn't working properly due to depression, anxiety, and ADHD. She also offers tips to stay passionate and focused on creative endeavors, especially when everything around you is saying to give up. With chapters like "Wash Your Brain More Than You Wash Your Bra" (sleep, you beautiful human), "Work on Easy Mode" (asking for accommodations is okay!), "Celebrate Good Times, Come On!" (make it a habit to celebrate the good things), and many more, How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay is a balm and companion, reminding us all that we are not alone. It's for anyone who struggles with self-doubt, guilt, motivation, and mental blocks and wants to rekindle their passion for creating. Funny, simple, empathetic, and inspirational, it will encourage you not to just survive but to find and curate joy in the face of difficult times"-- Provided by publisher
Be your own bestie : a no-nonsense guide to changing the way you treat yourself
"You deserve happiness. You deserve hope. And you deserve a sassy best friend who can help you learn not to settle for less. It's time to start loving yourself radically. And Misha Brown-you may know him as @yourbestiemisha-is here to guide you along your journey of self-discovery, accountability, and most importantly, self-love. With his no-nonsense (but always loving) approach, Misha shares stories from his own life, encounters with others, and the wisdom gleaned from them to help you release the patterns, relationships, and beliefs that have kept you from stepping into your full fabulousness. With equal parts hilarity and heart, Misha's S.A.S.S. Method to glowing up your life consists of: S - Self-reflection: Turn your focus inward to push away what's been holding you back A - Affirmations: Reshape the way you speak to and about yourself S - Standing your ground: Set boundaries and stop apologizing S - Sculpting the life you want: Take bold steps toward your own happily ever after No matter where you are today, now is the time to begin showing up for yourself as your own best friend. Because you deserve it, bestie!" --
Empire of madness : reimagining western mental health care for everyone
"In Empire of Madness, Dr. Khameer Kidia re-evaluates the Western approach to mental health, which medicates symptoms instead of changing the structures that harm the human psyche. A physician and researcher whose own family suffers from the psychological effects of colonialism, Kidia highlights the limitations of the Western mental health model by reporting from the front lines of mental health crises at home, in the clinic, and during a decade of fieldwork." -- Amazon.com
The new rules of women's health : your guide to thriving at every age
"A vital guide to the most pressing health concerns women face-including fertility, menstrual health, chronic pain, menopause, and beyond. The medical field has long ignored women's unique health needs, assuming our bodies are the same as men's. But this couldn't be further from the truth. Based on the latest solely women-centered research and insights from the world's top female health experts, The New Rules of Women's Health is the accurate, comprehensive, and empowering resource you need to take charge of your wellbeing. It covers everything you should know to make the best decisions for your health, including: - How to tell if your period symptoms are "normal"-or when they're a sign of an underlying condition - The underrecognized signs of hormonal imbalance and what you need to do to regulate - Science-backed strategies to preserve your fertility and prepare your body for pregnancy if decide to start a family - What to expect during perimenopause-including the health conditions women are at increased risk for after menopause-and how to manage your symptoms so you can navigate this transition feeling stronger and more confident than ever - The important differences in how various diseases develop in women-from why we're more susceptible to autoimmune disease and tend to feel pain more intensely, to why we suffer from heart disease and Alzheimer's in disproportionate rates-and the best tips for prevention - What the newest science says about optimizing your health and diet before disease strikes, from how to get better quality sleep to what workouts you should be doing at every age - How to find women-focused healthcare providers you trust The time is now to take charge. The New Rules of Women's Health is your resource for life"-- Provided by publisher
Heal faster : unlock your body's rapid recovery reflex
"Drawing on forty years of medical experience and cutting-edge research, Dr. Maizes shows that recovery may be possible for a wide range of conditions when you know how to support your body's natural healing processes. From short-term ailments like colds and sprains to chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes to recovering from surgery, this book offers evidence-based strategies to heal faster and more completely"--Flap page 1 of dust jacket
The 30-day inflammatory reset : a complete guide to healing your immune system
The 30-Day Inflammatory Reset presents a structured program focused on understanding and managing chronic inflammation. Drawing on clinical practice, the book outlines a 30-day plan that includes lifestyle activities, physical exercises, self-care approaches, dietary changes, and therapeutic strategies. It examines both potential causes and effects of inflammation, including physiological, environmental, and behavioral factors. The text also discusses how inflammation may affect multiple body systems and offers methods for identifying individual inflammation triggers. Included are 94 anti-inflammatory recipes designed to support long-term dietary changes. The book is intended for general readers interested in health maintenance, chronic condition management, and preventive wellness
The power of real optimism : a practical, science-based guide to staying resilient, curious, and open even when life is hard
"Optimism isn't about pretending everything is fine. It's about staying open and flexible-especially when it's not. In this fresh, science-backed debut, professional psychologist and media expert Dr. Deepika Chopra shows us how to build the kind of optimism that can actually withstand real life"--
Sun Tzu the art of war for health & longevity : the warrior's way to wellness
"Use Sun Tzu's timeless strategies to battle illness and promote health and wellness! This innovative guide applies the ancient wisdom of Sun Tzu's The Art of War to personal health and wellness. Y. Tony Yang, a public health and policy expert, transforms the general's five pillars into specific battle plans centered on nutrition, exercise, self-care, work-life balance and prevention. We all know to eat well and exercise, but our forces need to be built up in more definable and actionable ways. Reduce inflammatory markers? Improve sleep efficiency? Increase stress resilience? That's the start of a customized health-centered battle plan, all supported by: Case studies laying out specific regimens: stability training, strength exercises and cardiovascular options Charts presenting each chapter's key points and posing essential questions for formulating your battle plan Personal risk factor assessments and adaptable nutrition programs offering models to integrate "The five factors are not separate matters," Sun Tzu wrote. "The wise general sees them as a single integrated reality." Wise generals never go to war with their own bodies but defend instead their most valuable territory, the body and its sustained health success"--
Born to flourish : how new science and ancient wisdom reveal a simple path to thriving
"In a world pulling our thoughts and emotions in so many directions, Born to Flourish offers a way to turn stress and anxiety into clarity and calm. Renowned neuroscientists and contemplative teachers Richard J. Davidson and Cortland Dahl bring us a powerful program rooted in decades of research from the Center for Healthy Minds and the non-profit Humin. Focusing on four transformative practices, they bring us key tools to help train our brains to overcome depression, despair, and loneliness."--Amazon