Oh, February.. Oftentimes, the shortest month can feel like the longest. We are so close to spring, yet still in the grip of winter. As the winter doldrums grab hold of us, this is the perfect time for some self-care. You can be your own valentine by slowing down and giving yourself the love and attention you deserve. Take time to pamper yourself with cozy teas, hot bubble baths, and your favorite leisure activity. As a bonus, 2024 is a leap year, which gives us all an extra February day to indulge! Let’s explore a few ways for you to practice some self-care.
Make a Favorite Dish or Discover a New Recipe
Whether you love to cook or are a kitchen beginner, there are so many ways to learn cooking methods and try out new recipes. A recently launched program from National Library Service provides braille books that consumers can keep. The article below describes how many NLS patrons are taking the opportunity to get their own copies of favorite cookbooks: https://bit.ly/41PxiGN
Don’t forget that you can also access SSB’s extensive braille and audio book collection that include numerous cookbooks in whatever format works best for you. Do you love cookies? Baked goods? Sweets? Regional cuisine? Italian? Mexican? Special diet? We have cookbook for you! Click on the link to explore all the cookbooks available from the Communication Center or the National Library Service: https://education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/mbtbl/index.htm
Support Your Mental Health
Experiencing vision loss can be difficult and daunting. SSB offers many supports and services to help you learn to navigate and thrive in your everyday life. Sometimes, we also need guidance to handle the stress and emotions we encounter in our busy lives. As a mental health therapist living with vision loss, Meredith Lawlor, with Ellie Mental Health in Maplewood, has the personal, first-hand knowledge of the challenges people with vision loss face. People with vision loss tend to “take in information differently”, states Meredith. They also can experience issues with self-image and self-beliefs particular to the low vision, blind, and DeafBlind community.
With telehealth options, it is easier than ever to access the support we need to feel better. “It's very empowering to not have to rely on somebody else to take you there or to schedule transportation. It frees up a lot of mental energy to be able to just hop on and do your appointments 100% independently”, says Meredith.
Connect with Meredith by email at: MLawlor@elliementalhealth.com
By phone: at 612-356-2701
Or at the following link: https://elliementalhealth.com/locations/maplewood-mn/
Experience Nature at Minnesota State Parks and Trails
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is striving to open the outdoors to people with disabilities by working hard to update its public spaces and programs to meet state and federal accessibility standards. Most recent accessibility enhancements can be found at:
- Whitewater State Park
- St. Croix State Park
- Itasca State Park
- Wild River State Park
- Lake Vermillion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park
- Lake Carlos State Park
- Sibley State Park
Some of the features include: audio descriptions with sensory pens, tactile maps, tactile exhibits, braille and raised lettering on exhibits, audio tours, and special exhibit audio elements. There’s even a smell station at Wild River State Park!
In a webinar from the DNR on Wednesday, Feb. 14, environmental psychologists Dr. Christie Manning and Dr. Elise Amel will share how time spent in nature improves our mental health and provides many other benefits. The webinar will also highlight several opportunities and programs available to people to “make a date” with nature and significant others or family members this winter. The Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series webinars are free and offered year-round, though registration is required. Visit the Outdoor Skills and Stewardship webpage of the Minnesota DNR website (mndnr.gov/discover) for the registration portal, more information about upcoming webinars and recordings of past webinars.
You are encouraged to call ahead to any state park you plan to visit to make arrangements for special accommodations. If you need an accommodation for any scheduled state park event or activity, please call or email the event contact by two weeks prior to the event.
Minnesota State Park website: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/accessible_outdoors/index.html
Minnesota DNR Accessibility website: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/index.html
State Park Schedule of Events & Activities: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/events.html
Receive the Benefits of the Natural World through Forest Bathing
Have you tried forest bathing? No, it’s not about taking a bath in the woods. It is slowing down, listening, smelling, breathing, and being mindful and intentional in nature. Studies have shown a multitude of positive health outcomes from the practice of forest bathing. These include reduced stress levels, increased energy, lower heart rates and blood pressure, boosted immune functions, and improved mood.
“In every walk with Nature one receives far more than he seeks.” ― John Muir
Learn all about forest bathing at the following links:
Forest Bathing for People of All Ages with Visual Impairments
Association of Nature & Forest Therapy Guides and Programs
Forest Bathing Institute
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum - Forest Bathing
Motz Studios - Forest Bathing
American Psychiatric Association - What is Forest Bathing? How is it Good for You?
Explore Minnesota - Why Minnesota is the Perfect Place for Forest Bathing
MPR - New Study Finds Variety of Health Benefits to Forest Bathing
Explore the World through Travel
Journeyable.org is a new website founded on the principle that travel should be assessable to everyone. Their vision is to: “Imagine everyone united by the world’s most accessible community.” Their mission is: “To empower every person with determination, to journey limitlessly.” This online travel community is created for those who experience barriers to accessible travel. The website contains travel videos, stories, insights, travel planning, and unique content from organizations and individuals committed to making a global impact. Explore the world of Journeyable here: https://journeyable.org/
One article on journeyable.org that may be particularly useful is - Travelling While Blind: 11 Tips for Safe and Enjoyable Travels. Click here to access the article: Traveling While Blind - 11 Tips for Safe and Enjoyable Travels
Lose Yourself in a Good Book
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” - Dr. Seuss
“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” - Stephen King
“In the case of good books, the point is not to see how many of them you can get through, but rather how many can get through to you.” - Mortimer J. Adler
Put the world aside and get lost in your favorite genre whether it be mystery, adventure, human interest, biography, romance, or sci-fi. A great book is like a time machine transporting us to the past, present, future, and imagined. Literature connects us to people, places, and cultures. It moves us in profound ways, gives us life lessons, and touches our souls. The SSB Communication Center has braille and audio books for whatever you fancy. Scroll through our library offerings to find your next great escape: https://education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/mbtbl/index.htm
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