Books to Beat the Winter Blues

Can you remember when you last saw the sun in the Spokane area? Me neither. Normally, I don't mind cloudy, gloomy, moody winter days. They're great for snuggling with a cozy blanket on the sofa, having a cup of warm tea (or your beverage of choice), and reading a good book. I have to admit, though, that this long stretch of bleak weather is starting to get to me, and I'm guessing you as well?

Beside putting on the lights, getting some fresh air outside, and taking some extra vitamin D, there are always books to help us beat the winter blues. Here are some of my picks that can be found in our library or online:

• Life on Svalbard by Cecilia Blomdahl (BT 948.1 BLO, Libby/Overdrive) If you think we have dark, cloudy days here, imagine having polar night (no sunrise for months in the winter). Blomdahl shares her year-round experiences living on Svalbard, an island close to the North Pole, through text and fantastic photos.
• The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown (F BRO, Libby/Overdrive) In the mood for an entertaining page-turner? Brown doesn't disappoint his Robert Langdon fans with his thriller that takes them to various landmarks around Prague and other fascinating locales.
• An Academic Affair by Jodi McAlister (Libby/Overdrive) As a former academic myself, I find it rare to come across a fictional book about academia that's rooted in today's reality with a little not-too-mushy romance on the side.
• The Incredible Kindness of Paper by Evelyn Skye (BT F Skye) After the main character loses her job as a high school guidance counselor, she unwittingly starts a worldwide, feel-good trend of making origami paper roses with hopeful messages inside.
• The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking (158.1 WIK) If you need some help in having a more positive outlook on winter, do as the Danes do--wear comfy socks, have a pastry, light candles, watch a movie, read a book, and do other things that help you to savor, not just survive, the season.

Which favorite books of yours are winter blues busters? Share with us!

Wishing you cozy reads on grey days from the perch.

New Year for You

The holidays are over. After all the merrymaking and getting together with loved ones, perhaps you're feeling a little sad. Or, if you were a busy elf in charge of different things (decorating, cooking, gift buying, gift wrapping, clean up), you might be happy that they're over. Maybe even a bit drained?

Those of you who are parents or caring for parents (me) will probably understand what I mean. Don't get me wrong--I love spending time with my family, but having the pressure of making the end-of-the-year holidays (from Halloween to New Year's) enjoyable for everyone really takes it out of me, both physically and mentally.

It seems like after the togetherness of the December holidays, many of us tend to focus on ourselves in the New Year with resolutions (I prefer calling them intentions). It's important that we remind ourselves that self-care is not a luxury but a necessity for our own well-being. As they say on planes, put on your own oxygen mask first before you help others.

Keep in mind that self-care can be anything you enjoy doing that relaxes your mind and your body. It can be something that makes you feel well physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. There are other types of self-care, such as financial and educational, but the bottom line is that self-care is about taking care of you. 

Interested in learning more about self-care and ways to help yourself? Here are some articles I recommend:

• 5 Types of Self-Care for Every Area of Your Life Very Well Mind
• 50 self-care activities to do when you don't know where to start Mental Health America
• What is self-care? Global Self-Care Federation

Wishing you a peaceful and mindful new year from the perch.