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Libraries & Wellbeing Spaces

Wellbeing Spaces

The wellbeing areas in the acute libraries provide a perfect space for relaxation, reflection, and a mental break from work or study.

These are informal areas with comfortable seating, and low lighting.

The areas also hold a collection of books on wellbeing, as well as calming activities such as jigsaws and colouring.

Please pop in and visit our spaces and please let us know if you have any suggestions or thoughts.

University Hospital Hairmyres

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Wellbeing-Space---UHH2

University Hospital Monklands

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University Hospital Wishaw

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Wellbeing-Space---UHW2

NHS Lanarkshire Book Group

Reading has consistently been proven to help improve mental health and wellbeing including feelings of stress, depression and anxiety.

The Knowledge Services Team run a monthly Book Group via MS Teams. This is a very informal group who meet to discuss their current reads or anything else interesting they have been doing.

Every quarter we also have a ‘Read Together’ option where we do all read the same book and then meet via MS Teams to discuss it.

There is no pressure to join the face-to-face meetings, you can still join the MS Teams group to see the current recommendations and make some of your own!

If you are interested in joining the group please email libraries@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk

Writing for Wellbeing

Writing has been proven to effectively relieve feelings of stress, anxiety and helps you to work through difficult emotions and situations. Making time to reflect and to write each day for a short time can vastly improve your wellbeing.

The Knowledge Services team offer a training session on Writing for Wellbeing. On this training we run through some practical writing exercises, reflect on the process of writing and give some pointers to additional resources.

If you are interested in these sessions please email libraries@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk to enquire about currently scheduled dates or to enquire about having us run this on team days, development days etc..

Writing for Wellbeing - Resources

Building the habit

Like anything else writing takes time and practise. It can be difficult to find the time to fit this in or to feel motivated but there are some things you can do to include writing around your daily life –

  • Journal
  • Start an online blog
  • Write letters/ emails to friends and family
  • Write reviews of books/ films/ food…(I have a book review PP if you would like a copy just let me know and I’ll pass it on)

To make things easier also think about where you will write. Having a dedicated space that you feel comfortable and safe in should encourage the process.

Also think about the practicalities:

  • Leave writing tools around your house wherever you will have a spare moment (beside the kettle, microwave, sofa, bed…).
  • Use post-its to start with – It’s a smaller page and therefore less daunting to get started.
  • Use the notes app on your phone. Provided you don’t share your phone you can ensure your privacy will be respected by using this if you’re nervous about others seeing your work at first.

Setting a routine will also help you stick with this new habit. Choose a time that works for you –morning, lunch break or night time – and try to dedicate that time for yourself. Whether you write then or not having dedicated time to be with your thoughts and feelings is good for your wellbeing and to ‘check in’ with how you are really feeling.

Activities and resources to help you get started:

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