The third Monday in January has been dubbed ‘Blue Monday’. Feeling ‘blue’ on this day is understandable and can be down to a number of factors that come together at this time of year.
January is a dark month – short days and a lack of sunlight can effect our mood and motivation. The weather can bring rain and cold wind, meaning we might not be getting outside as much as usual. New Year’s resolutions can wain and we can easily feel overwhelmed with the pressure of achieving goals for the year to come.
The Library provides a wide range of services and resources to help support your health and wellbeing. From a large collection of specially chosen books to help you through tough times, to our Sunshine Reads for when you need a pick-me-up in book form.
Self-help books
Most of us have probably read one without even knowing it. Self-help books can come in many forms – from books written by professional practitioners, to reflections from those who have experienced mental health setbacks themselves. Take a look at the selection below for some of our recommendations or visit the Clifton Room (to the right in Assembly Room) to see the full collection. Our Librarians are always here to help you find what you need.
Click the titles to find and reserve online:
- Mindfulness for Health
- Overcoming Worry
- Lost Connections
- An Introduction to Coping with Insomnia and Sleep Problems
- Stopping the Noise in Your Head
- Mind Over Mood
- Man Up Man Down
- Cheer Up Love
Reading for pleasure
Reading for pleasure is proven to benefit mental health and wellbeing. Research shows it promotes empathy and emotional intelligence, lowers stress levels, boost self-esteem, reduces depression - it even leads to better sleep. And the Library is the home of reading for pleasure!
Reading fiction can provide an escape, take you on a new adventure or introduce you to new characters and ideas. Our Librarians have put together a set of their favourite feelgood books – the Sunshine Reads. Take a look at the full list below, including links to the catalogue to reserve or add them to your wish list.
- Libby Page – The 24-Hour Café
- Bill Bailey – Bill Bailey's Remarkable Guide to Happiness
- Graeme Simsion – The Rosie Project (also available on Borrowbox as an eAudiobook)
- Derren Brown – Happy
- Fearghal O’Nuallian - The Kindness of Strangers
- Beth O’Leary – The Flatshare (also available on BorrowBox as an eAudiobook)
- Casey McQuiston – Red, White and Royal Blue
- Abbie Waxman – The Bookish List of Nina Hill (also available on audiobook CD from the Library)
- Fredrik Backman – My Grandmother Sends Her Regards and Apologies
- Dawn French – Because of You (also available on BorrowBox as an eBook)
- Gail Honeyman – Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine (also available on audiobook CD from the Library)
- Bernadine Evaristo - Mr Loverman (also available on Borrowbox as an eBook)
- Captain Tom Moore - Tomorrow Will Be a Good Day (only available on Borrowbox as an eBook)
- Beth O'Leary - The Switch (also available on audiobook CD from the Library, and on Borrowbox as an eBook)
- Sarah Morgan - The Sunshine Seekers (also available on BorrowBox as an eBook)
- Lissa Evans - Crooked Heart
- Lin-Manuel Miranda - Gmorning, Gnight!
- Eddie Jaku - The Happiest Man on Earth
- Marianne Cronin - The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot
For more information on Health and Wellbeing support at the Library, including support specifically for teens and children, visit the webpage here.
