Reading for Wellbeing
Life can feel busy and overwhelming, and finding time to slow down isn’t always easy. For Manawatū Community Hub Libraries (MCHL), wellbeing is an important focus, and reading plays a big part in supporting our community’s mental and emotional health.
Reading can help reduce stress, ease feelings of loneliness and give people a chance to switch off. Getting lost in a story, magazine or newspaper offers a quiet break from everyday pressures and helps create a sense of calm.
Engaging with stories, ideas and shared experiences can be comforting and reassuring, especially during challenging times whether you are reading alone, or out loud to others.
Kirsty Meads, MCHL Content Specialist says “Reading gives everyone access to trusted information, diverse resources, and a welcoming library environment. It’s a great way to relax and support your wellbeing.”
The Hub’s collection brings together resources on mental health, mindfulness, self-care and emotional resilience while the Hub offers a supportive space for readers who may need a little extra care whether they are just beginning or returning to these topics.
For those who aren’t able to visit in person, or who prefer reading on their own schedule, the library’s digital collections offer the same sense of connection and comfort. Free access to ebooks, audiobooks, magazines and newspapers through Libby, Hoopla, BorrowBox and PressReader mean that reading can happen wherever and whenever it feels right.
By creating welcoming spaces and thoughtful collections, Manawatū Community Hub Libraries continue to support a healthier, more connected community one page at a time.
Browse: MCHL Library Catalogue Collection or digital library options: Digital Library | Manawatū Community Hub Libraries
A couple sit together sharing a moment over magazines at the hub.