Think positive!

  The National Institutes of Health report in their August newsletter that a positive outlook is good for your health.  A positive attitude won't solve all your problems (though as Herm Albright said, it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort), but if it can help even a little, and also increase your happiness, why not give it a try?

Emotional wellness can be improved with meditation, a sense of purpose, and mindfulness.  Improved mental health can increase physical health.

Here are some books to start with!

Reinventing medicine: beyond mind-body to a new era of healing by Larry Dossey.

The balance within: the science connecting health and emotions by Esther M. Sternberg.

The cure within: a history of mind-body medicine by Anne Harrington.

Spiritual therapy; how the physician, psychiatrist and minister collaborate in healing by Richard K. Young and Albert L. Meiburg. (258)

Manual of psychomagic: the practice of shamanic psychotherapy by Alejandro Jodorowsky ; translated by Rachael LaValley. (131)

What's in Your DNA?

What’s in your DNA?  Find out this Saturday, August 15 from 2-5 p.m. with a talk on the basics of genetic testing for genealogists.

Janine Cloud from Family Tree DNA will be at the Central Library to discuss the types of tests available and the information that each can (and can’t) provide for genealogists.  Attendees will be able to ask Ms. Cloud questions or buy a test kit after her talk. Test kits will be available at a $30 discount to persons attending this program!  To register or for more info email cmillar@slpl.org.

Back-to-School Health Fair this Saturday!

Just three days until great fun and excitement at the Central Library's Back-to-School Health Fair!
The fun starts at 10 a.m. and lasts until 2 p.m.

The Fire Department will be there with a fire truck and an interactive fire safety house.
The Police Department will be making CDs with electronic fingerprints.
OASIS will bring games: jump ropes, hula hoops, and more.
The Library will have face painting and toys, including tricycles and a balance beam.

There will also be:

Library card signups.
Lead screening with the City of St. Louis,
Asthma screening with Barnes Jewish Hospital's Respiratory Care Services.
The Family Resource Center at St. Louis Children's Hospital.
Water safety demonstrations with the YMCA.

We will have water and lemonade available for what may be a hot day.  Don't forget your sunscreen!

Remember: Limited FREE parking is available in the Library’s lot at 15^th and Olive Streets. Just stop inside the Library to get a token before you leave.

Spotlight: Alive and Well STL

Check out this announcement about a local initiative's new partnership, starting today.

Take Five and Tune in to Alive and Well STL!

We are excited to announce Alive and Well STL, an initiative of the St. Louis Regional Health Commission, is launching a year-long partnership with KSDK NewsChannel 5 today! Please tune in all week as KSDK brings you stories and information about the health impact of toxic stress. Alive and Well STL also will be featuring new spots on Old School 95.5 and HOT 104.1 with DJ Kut sharing what it means to be Alive and Well in St. Louis on his daily show. Don't forget to pick up this week's edition of The St. Louis American to get your hands on a special Alive and Well STL insert.  Alive and Well STL is thrilled to be joining together with our media partners on a year-long initiative to bring this information to the St. Louis community and to encourage all of us to Take Five and... ...find out more about how toxic stress is making us sick. ...get the help we need to take care of our emotional well-being. ...learn how to manage the stress in our lives to thrive. ...pause to think...reserve judgment...and ask, "What Happened?" ...reach out to someone who might be feeling down. Take the first step, and Take Five, to learn more: visit www.aliveandwellstl.com.  Alive and Well is an initiative of the St. Louis Regional Health Commission.