In My Hands Today…

The Lost Art of Doing Nothing: How the Dutch Unwind with Niksen – Maartje Willems, Illustrated by Lona Aalders

“The best thing about niksen is the absence of a goal. It doesn’t serve a purpose, but it’s wonderful.”

Don’t you think it’s time for a break? Plagued—as we are!—by nonstop pings and notifications, we have lost the knack of zoning out. Kicking back. Slacking off . Even when pandemic-induced lockdowns forcibly cleared our calendars, many who thought I’m free! filled their days with Netflix and doomscrolling. How can we reclaim our free time (planned or not) to truly rest and reset?

The Dutch have it figured with niksen. Perhaps their best-kept lifestyle secret, niksen is the art of doing, well, nothing .

It’s the opposite of productivity, and it’s incredibly good for your . . . If you’re waiting for an invitation to go lie down in the sunshine, this book is it.

In My Hands Today…

Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Workplace: A Practical Guide for Employers and Employees – Gill Hasson and Donna Butler

The importance of good mental health and wellbeing in the workplace is a subject of increased public awareness and governmental attention. The Department of Health advises that one in four people will experience a mental health issue at some point in their lives. Although a number of recent developments and initiatives have raised the profile of this crucial issue, employers are experiencing challenges in promoting the mental health and wellbeing of their employees. Mental Health & Wellbeing in the Workplace contains expert guidance for improving mental health and supporting those experiencing mental ill health.

This comprehensive book addresses the range of issues surrounding mental health and wellbeing in work environments – providing all involved with informative and practical assistance. Authors Gill Hasson and Donna Butler examine changing workplace environment for improved wellbeing, shifting employer and employee attitudes on mental health, possible solutions to current and future challenges and more. Detailed, real-world case studies illustrate a variety of associated concerns from both employer and employee perspectives. This important guide:

Explains why understanding mental health important and its impact on businesses and employees Discusses why and how to promote mental health in the workplace and the importance of having an effective ‘wellbeing strategy’ Provides guidance on managing staff experiencing mental ill health Addresses dealing with employee stress and anxiety Features resources for further support if experiencing mental health issues Mental Health & Wellbeing in the Workplace is a valuable resource for those in the workplace wanting to look after their physical and mental wellbeing, and those looking for guidance in managing staff with mental health issues.

In My Hands Today…

Be Your Own Sunshine – James Allen

Be Your Own Sunshine is a collection of four works by James Allen that sum up the hows, whys, and whats of taming the mind and its infinite energies, channeling the power of positive thinking, and striking a balance between the inner world of our thoughts and the outer world of action.

As A Man Thinketh maps out the way in which our thoughts can affect our physical, mental, emotional, and social health. It also discusses ways in which we can use our visions and ideas to lead us to peace of mind.

From Passion to Peace is a step-by-step discussion on conquering the factors within us that hinder us from achieving success.

Man: King of Mind, Body, and Circumstance aims at freeing us from the slavery of our negative and binding thoughts, enabling us to conquer our inhibitions and set our spirits free.

Foundation Stones to Happiness and Success help us lay the foundation for a stronger self with the right balance of thoughts and speech and its implementation in action.

In My Hands Today…

Mindful Zen Habits: From Suffering to Happiness In 30 Days – Manuel Villa and Marc Reklau

Do you want to feel happier, more positive and less stressed?

Do you feel anxious or overwhelmed by your fast-paced life?

Do you want to break the cycle of unhappiness and achieve inner peace?

If you answered ‘yes’ to one of these questions, then this book is for you.

Manuel Villa, Spain’s Mindfulness and Zen expert, and Marc Reklau, author of many international bestsellers, have joined forces to bring you Mindful Zen Habits.

Can we really change our life in 30 days?

Yes, we can—by changing our habits and doing little things a little bit differently day after day. Changing the habit of excessive thinking, of not giving enough room to our emotions, breaking the routine of not listening to our body—all of this and more can indeed transform our life.

In this book, you will learn:

  • How to enjoy the present moment
  • How to calm down your thoughts
  • How to improve your focus and productivity
  • How to finally find peace of mind
  • How to create lasting habits and so much more…

You will find teachings and tools that your mind, your heart and your body need to undertake. We are eager to accompany you on this exciting journey.

In My Hands Today…

Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting – Lisa Genova

Have you ever felt a crushing wave of panic when you can’t for the life of you remember the name of that actor in the movie you saw last week, or you walk into a room only to forget why you went there in the first place? If you’re over forty, you’re probably not laughing. You might even be worried that these lapses in memory could be an early sign of Alzheimer’s or dementia. In reality, for the vast majority of us, these examples of forgetting are completely normal. Why? Because while memory is amazing, it is far from perfect. Our brains aren’t designed to remember every name we hear, plan we make, or day we experience. Just because your memory sometimes fails doesn’t mean it’s broken or succumbing to disease. Forgetting is actually part of being human.

In Remember, neuroscientist and acclaimed novelist Lisa Genova delves into how memories are made and how we retrieve them. You’ll learn whether forgotten memories are temporarily inaccessible or erased forever and why some memories are built to exist for only a few seconds (like a passcode) while others can last a lifetime (your wedding day). You’ll come to appreciate the clear distinction between normal forgetting (where you parked your car) and forgetting due to Alzheimer’s (that you own a car). And you’ll see how memory is profoundly impacted by meaning, emotion, sleep, stress, and context. Once you understand the language of memory and how it functions, its incredible strengths and maddening weaknesses, its natural vulnerabilities and potential superpowers, you can both vastly improve your ability to remember and feel less rattled when you inevitably forget. You can set educated expectations for your memory, and in doing so, create a better relationship with it. You don’t have to fear it anymore. And that can be life-changing.