Find Some Inspiration!

Pages, podcasts, videos for you to explore to inspire optimism or excitement, relieve anxiety or stress, bring mindfulness, or quiet your mind. 

Have something to suggest adding here?  Let us know!

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Patron Suggested Resources*
Read & Explore

Greater Good Magazine 

“Science-based insights for a meaningful life.” Through articles, videos, quizzes, and podcasts, this magazine turns scientific research into stories, tips, and tools for a happier life and a more compassionate society.

Action for Happiness 
Action for Happiness is a movement of people committed to building a happier and more caring society. We want to see a fundamentally different way of life – where people care less about what they can get just for themselves and more about the happiness of others. We bring together like-minded people from all walks of life and help them take practical action, drawing on the latest scientific research. We are backed by leading experts from diverse fields including psychology, education, economics and social innovation.

Pathway to Happiness 
Pathway to Happiness lends valuable insight into one’s self-awareness activities that allows people to avoid negative emotions and live in a state of happiness.

The Goodness Exchange
Simply put, this site focuses on positive news for curious people. 

20 Scientifically Backed Ways to De-Stress 

Search for Mindfulness via Coursera
List of online courses related to mindfulness.

Listen

The Science of Happiness 
from Greater Good Magazine: “Science-based insights for a meaningful life”

The Happiness Lab
A podcast by Dr. Laurie Santos, Professor of Psychology and Head of Silliman College at Yale University. Dr. Santos is an expert on human cognition and the cognitive biases that impede better choices. Her course, “Psychology and the Good Life,” teaches students how the science of psychology can provide important hints about how to make wiser choices and live a life that’s happier and more fulfilling.

Meditation Minis 
Guided meditation podcast for anxiety, stress, sleep, and confidence. Designed by Hypnotherapist Chel Hamilton to help you feel better in 10(ish) minutes – or less!

Live in the Present: The Self Help Podcast 
This mindfulness podcast is hosted by Edward Lamb and has a regular guest appearance by psychotherapist Sean Orford. They cover topics such as emotional health and well-being every Wednesday. Their primary concern is the happiness of their listeners, and how people can incorporate mindfulness and meditation into their lives to better themselves and their families.

Headspace 
Mindfulness for your everyday life. Stress less. Move more. Sleep soundly. Lots on this site to try for free.

Other Humorous and Helpful Podcasts

Watch
The School of Life 

The School of Life is dedicated to exploring the great questions of emotional and psychological life. We believe in developing emotional well-being through ideas and discussion. Many short videos on a variety of topics to explore.

 

WellCast 
In this twice-a-week quirky, animated show, we explore the physical, mental and emotional paths to wellness. With an emphasis on education, the show addresses both the latest trends and long-standing practices of wellness—everything from the efficacy of the gratitude experiment to the importance of sunshine and vitamin D. Many topics to explore: stress management, body image, suicidal thoughts, self esteem, relationships.

TED Talks
Select videos on the topic of happiness.

A Few Fun Diversions

Virtual Museum Tours
Links to twelve virtual museums.

All About Birds- Web Cams
Barred Owls, Red-tailed Hawks, Savannah Osprey, Royal Albatross, Cornell Feeder Cam, Bermuda Petrels.

Sandiego Zoo Cams
Pandas, penguins, polar bears, oh my!

Monteray Bay Aquarium Cams
Be delighted by the antics of sea otters or mellow out to the hypnotic drifting of jellies. With ten live cams to choose from, you can experience the wonder of the ocean no matter where you are.

Patron Suggested Resources*

Public Aquariums and Underwater Zoos Around the World
List of walk-through aquariums let you experience the realm beneath the sea’s surface and the mysterious sea creatures that inhabit it.

Virtual Field Trips Around the World
A wide variety of places people can visit virtually, including museums, zoos, aquariums, farms, national parks, and  historical landmarks.

Virtual Travel Through the USA
This site lists one iconic place for each of the 50 states that you can visit virtually. 

*Inclusion of patron suggested resources are subject to approval by Library Staff