By Health & Wellness Librarian Claire Ong
Happy January 2026! As the new year begins and the weather stays cold, the library offers plenty to keep you engaged. Whether or not you make resolutions, the new year is a perfect time to reset and explore new ways to connect, and your library is here for you!
Six in 2026! Books to destress & reset
Make it a goal to read for six minutes a day in 2026! Experts say just six minutes of reading can benefit your overall health. Studies show reading boosts your well-being and is key to better mental health. The science behind it:
- University of Sussex research shows that just six minutes of reading can significantly lower stress by slowing your heart rate, easing muscle tension, and calming the nervous system, thereby shifting brain activity away from anxious thoughts. This makes reading a highly effective relaxation method.
- Studies published by the American Academy of Neurology and the National Library of Medicine show that reading can help slow cognitive decline. Engaging in reading and other brain-stimulating activities throughout life is associated with slower memory loss. Frequent reading, in particular, has been found to protect cognitive function in later years.
Ready to get started? Our team of Collection Management librarians has curated a list of books to help you start your 2026 journey to wonder, delight, and, hopefully, calm.
Upcoming events
Here are a few events happening at the library to help you stay on track with any New Year’s resolutions, find a new hobby, or connect with your community.
Health & wellness events
Join us for events designed to help you relax, reset, and refocus. Register now:
- Chair Yoga, Tuesdays, 12:30 pm, virtual
- Sound Bath Meditation, last Wednesday of the month, time varies, Main Library
Connection & community-building events
Join one of our community partners, Trailside Museum of Natural History, for outdoor activities that aim to bring groups together to make connections and build community.
- Nature Walk & Mingle for Singles, February 14, 1:30 pm, Trailside Museum, 738 Thatcher Ave., River Forest
- Winter Tree ID Hike, February 20, 10 am, Trailside Museum, 738 Thatcher Ave., River Forest
Throughout the season, a limited number of snowshoes are available for on-site use when snow reaches four inches or more. Ice traction shoe covers are also available on loan to improve traction on icy surfaces. Both are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, with a valid ID. Call Trailside Museum at 708.366.6530 to check availability.
Virtual events
Prefer to stay home where it’s cozy and warm? These upcoming virtual events will bring inspiration directly to your living room, allowing you to unwind without leaving your space. Register now to join us virtually:
- Inviting Nature Home to Your Backyard: An Inspirational Story of One Community Eco-Garden, January 28, 6:30 pm, virtual. Learn how you can get started in reshaping your own native eco-friendly landscape while enhancing not only beauty but also biodiversity and environmental health.
- Brownies, Blondies & Brookies, February 11, 6:30 pm, virtual. Explore cooking techniques and interesting recipes with presenter Kristyn Slick, whose classes are thoughtfully presented with a rich history behind each recipe.
- Illinois Libraries Presents: Beyond the Page With Percival Everett, Thursday, March 19, 7 pm, virtual. Hear from author Percival Everett—whose most recent novel, James, earned both the Pulitzer Prize for fiction and the National Book Award, and his 2001 novel Erasure inspired the film American Fiction, which received the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay in 2024.
Whether you attend an upcoming health and wellness program at the library or virtually, or pick up a new healthy habit, we hope that you enjoy this month and find something that brings you health and joy!
About Claire
Health and Wellness Librarian Claire believes creativity is essential to well-being. Her reading tastes vary with the seasons, and when not working through her pile of books, she is on a mission to traverse the world.