Library Seeks To Help Make 'A Healthier You' In 2021

by David Dinsmore

While libraries may induce images of stationary activities like sitting with a book or long hours spent doing research, patrons of the Pioneer Library System can harness its resources to help build good habits during the early part of this year that will carry them for the long run.

The Shawnee Public Library and its fellow Pioneer Library System members have sounded the starting horn for the “A Healthier You” initiative to get 2021 off to a positive start.

The initiative walks, jogs and runs through the end of April with a long track of ideas, activities, books, digital resources and other features that customers can try on their own schedules. The program addresses both physical and mental health throughout its offerings.

Each month will offer 11 activities or tasks to attempt, and participants who complete seven in a month will receive a virtual badge for their accomplishment, according to a press release from Pioneer Library System. Some of the activities highlighted by the initiative include reading or listening to books, learning a language, trying a virtual exercise or health program and cooking a new recipe.

Librarians have put together book lists to accompany activities featuring topics like meal planning, exercise, mindfulness, financial health and other aspects of daily life. Every branch features a display with multiple books and resources for patrons to utilize in addition to the links and tools provided on the library’s website and its various digital platforms.

Those interested in trying out the library initiative will not be on their own locally

The Shawnee Public Library and Pioneer Library System are offering the “A Healthier You” initiative to help participants use a wide variety of printed and digital resources to complete monthly activities and build healthier habits. The program runs through April 30, and more information is available at pioneerlibrarysystem.org or (405) 275-6353. Stock photo

as several staff members at the Shawnee Public Library have signed up and are participating in the initiative, said Peggy Cook, branch manager and regional coordinator for Pioneer Library System in Pottawatomie County, and there are advantages to having a group participating together.

“It helps people stay encouraged,” Cook said. “It does to share. Sometimes it’s fun to give people an update and to receive feedback.”

Planners for the initiative kept in mind the realities of the restrictions that the response to the coronavirus pandemic have placed on people’s lives, and many of the activities take this into consideration.

“We have found that the Healthier You ideas for each month are really simple,” Cook said. “They are designed to be something that people can do even if they are at home most of the time.

“They help us take steps each month to really pay attention to our health and to make decisions that will help us for a lifetime.”

Some of the elements discussed in the activities are not the traditional "diet and exercise" that typically come to mind when people think about improving their health, Cook said. They can be as simple as increasing water intake, analyzing sleep habits, emphasizing relationships, creating time for rest and relaxation and increasing recreation.

“It's a look at the whole life balance,” Cook said. “Health literacy and health learning is an aspect of our overall learning. I’m proud of the efforts we make as a staff to promote this to gain nutrition and health information.”

In addition to the library’s resources specifically focused on health and wellbeing, the resources provided to card holders can help participants accomplish their goals even if they do not specifically have a health focus, Cook said. One good example is using one of the apps to download a favorite book or series to listen to while walking or exercising, which can help take away some of the focus from the physical exertion.

Though the initiative is taking place across Pioneer Library’s System branches throughout Cleveland, McClain and Pottawatomie counties, the focus on health has a particularly special place in the Shawnee branch that earned its designation as a certified healthy workplace in conjunction with the local Blue Zones Project’s efforts to emphasize healthy habits in all aspects of life.

“We really are engaged with helping make good decisions and help people have happier, healthier lives,” Cook said.

All ages are invited to participate, and families or groups can register together. After signing up, participants can access the themes and individual activities for each month. Libraries are open with some limitations, and readers are encouraged to use curbside pickup service for book holds, as well as downloadable eBooks, audiobooks and streaming video available through the OverDrive, Hoopla, Kanopy and Flipster services available for card holders.

Find out more about these services and the “A Healthier You” initiative at pioneerlibrarysystem.org. Also, access the library through the Pioneer Library System Connect App available via the Apple Store and Google Play or by calling the Shawnee Public Library at (405) 275-6353.

Oklahoma has some of the nation’s highest rates of tobacco use and obesity, which are the greatest contributing factors to cancer and cardiovascular disease. The TSET Healthy Living Program is working to make our community healthier. WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU! Please take a few minutes to answer this survey to help us better address the health needs of our county!

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Share your healthy living ideas as we focus on health issues to help transform our communities.

Friday, February 19 12-1:00 pm Shawnee

Wednesday, February 24 12-1:00 pm Rural Pottawatomie County

To register or learn more, visit: www.facebook.com/HLPpottawatomiecounty

Please take a few minutes to answer this survey to help us better address the health of our county!

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