Mindfulness

Do you ever feel as though you have so much on your mind that you can't possibly relax?
You're not alone.
You may find the practice of mindfulness helpful.

Mindfulness
Mindfulness is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary* as "a state of intense concentration on one's own thought processes; self-awareness." 

creative commons licensed (BY-NC-SA) flickr photo by Mrs Janet R:
http://flickr.com/photos/neon194/5242350317

Instead of worrying about the future or regretting the past, you are focused on the present moment.
How does one achieve this enviable state?

Start with our resources
If you search our catalog using meditation OR stress management as a subject, you will find over a hundred resources, including print books, e-books, and streaming video.

Click on image for a close up.

Need help?
Give us a call at (254) 968-9249 during library hours.

Edited to add: If you need a quick audio boost, try these free guided meditations from UCLA.
If you have a few more minutes, search "Guided Meditations" on our Films on Demand database.

*This link is intended for Tarleton faculty, staff, and students with access to our online resources. If you are off-campus, you will have to log in using your UID and password.

Beat Final Exam Stress

As many of you are aware, final exams start tomorrow! Are you feeling the pressure? Are your nerves getting the best of you? The following is a link to 6 tips on beating final exam stress:

Six Tips to Beat Final Exam Stress


Also, if you're worried about forgetting your final exam schedule, here is a reminder link:

Spring 2011 Final Schedule

Good luck and remember to relax!

Frazzled By Finals?

Try some of the stress relief suggestions posted by TSU students during The Stress Free Zone event:

Run or workout
Eat a Butterfinger Sonic blast (yum yum)
Thinking A Happy Thought!
Music
Chillin' w/ friends

Madden
Prayer & reading my Bible
Scream!
COFFEE!!!
Play piano
Play on the Wii
Ride!
Take a walk"
Breathe deeply
Take a trip out of town
Tea
Ride my bicycle...
Pray
Cook
Work with my horsey!
Prayer (amen)!
Think childhood thoughts & dreams
Dr. House (cracks me up)!
Live it up/Drink it down/Study the next day!
Walk around the park (slowly)
Prayer -n- meditation
Read
Rock Climb!
Hot Bath and Tunes + Candles
Cigarettes + Diet Coke
Clean my car or play with my dog or GO SHOPPING
I [heart] on my horse + practice Brl Racing
Sleep
My pack a day habit
12 ounces @ a time!
Look on Facebook or Myspace
Marathon CSI
Yoga
Pilates
Work On Hot Rod
T.V.!
Dancing
Watch a funny movie
the BAR!
Bubble Baths!
Punch Something
Take a hot bath
listen to music
TECHNO!
CALL KT
Go fishin'
I Pray! Let Go & Let God
Blow Bubbles
PLAY Kittens
chocolate
SWIM
Talk 2 GOD
3 minute mini-vacation

Good luck on your finals!

"You are now entering the Stress Free Zone..."

The end of the semester is almost here. Some of you are preparing for graduation. Others may be job-hunting, or getting research projects together for finals. A few of you may be "lucky" enough to be doing all three.

On Monday, April 27, the Dick Smith Library, along with the Student Counseling Center, is hosting The Stress Free Zone from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to help students relax before they dive into final exams.

We'll have fun games outside, a session in the Multi-Purpose Room on how to prepare for finals, a Stress Board in the lobby where students can give each other tips on stress relief, and a multimedia display of items designed to soothe your anxiety.

Stop by and get some stress relief!

We will also be open later for finals: details will be forthcoming on the library homepage.

Don't forget our other resources for "de-stressing":

• Individual and group study rooms
• Student lounge
• Laptop checkout
• Movies and music
• Audiobooks
• Popular novels and magazines
• Sauve Cafe

If you have any research questions, please call (254) 968-9934 or e-mail us at reference@tarleton.edu.

National Stress Out Day

What do you get when you mix a national financial crisis, winter holidays and final exams? A heaping portion of S-T-R-E-S-S.

Active Minds, a national mental health organization on college campuses, created National Stress Out Day (Week of April 20-24, 2009). It "provides a pre-finals stress reliever and...[educates] students with information about stress management, anxiety and related disorders." Activities include a national Screamfest, recess for adults and other stress-relieving activities.

Can't wait till April? Find stress relief now...at the library.

1. Music: Listen to one of our several hundred CDs and cassettes ranging from classical music to rock (lower floor) .

2. Movies: After your last exam, get a movie or catch up on your favorite TV shows (lower floor).

3. Get organized: Fight procrastination with time management books, available online or on the shelves (upper floor).

4. Reduce road rage: Stuck in traffic? Try an audio book (lower floor).

5. Brush up on your favorite hobby, from karate to photography to holiday baking (upper floor).

6. Free your Mind: Read something frivolous and stress-free. Grab a mystery novel from the student lounge (main floor) or general collection (upper floor: PS 3500). Browse through popular magazines like Sports Illustrated or Vogue on the main floor or online. Too tired to move?Try our e-books.

Don't forget that we have extended hours during Finals week.

Photo by BrittneyBush; licensed by Creative Commons.