Tag: health

This Won’t Hurt: New health titles in the collection

Kath

We have another excellent selection of health books recently added to our collection to share with you this month.  No matter what age or stage of life you’re in, we’ve got something to help you live a healthy  life and answer questions that you might have about your health.

This won’t hurt : how medicine fails women / Bigg, Marieke
“The vast majority of medicines and treatments that we use today were designed for, and by, men and the myth that medicine is gender-neutral has had terrible repercussions for women. In This won’t hurt, Dr Marieke Bigg takes a deep dive into all the ways medicine is not gender neutral, using stories and experiences to demonstrate how these flawed mindsets have paved the way for sub-par treatment, and how prevailing attitudes in a patriarchal world can have unexpected effects far downstream.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Baby & toddler basics : expert answers to parents’ top 150 questions / Altmann, Tanya Remer
“This easy-to-use guide helps parents with evidence-based advice for dealing with the most common issues facing babies and toddlers, including breastfeeding, baby care, developmental stages, first aid and injuries, sleep, vaccines and more.” (Catalogue)

 

“You just need to lose weight” : and 19 other myths about fat people / Gordon, Aubrey
“In “You Just Need to Lose Weight,” Aubrey Gordon equips readers with the facts and figures to reframe myths about fatness in order to dismantle the anti-fat bias ingrained in how we think about and treat fat people. Bringing her dozen years of community organizing and training to bear, Gordon shares the rhetorical approaches she and other organizers employ to not only counter these pernicious myths, but to dismantle the anti-fat bias that so often underpin them.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Hello sleep : the science and art of overcoming insomnia without medications / Wu, Jade
” Wu’s practical recommendations support a philosophical theme: Sleep is a friend, and it’s the nurturing of our relationship with this friend–rather than an anxious nightly battle–that will give us sustainable sleep health. Wu believes this can make things worse for those with insomnia issues, making what was once easy and intuitive into something effortful and elusive. Instead, this book treats insomniacs with respect, by giving them knowledge and empowering them to trust themselves and their own sleep.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Queer conception : the complete fertility guide for queer and trans parents-to-be / Kali, Kristin L.
“The only evidence-based, up-to-date fertility guide for queer people from an experienced health care provider, this is also the first to be transgender inclusive and body-positive. Here, queer prospective parents will find sound advice for navigating complex medical, social and financial decisions. This book is for all LGBTQ+ readers interested in creating family through pregnancy: anyone who identifies as queer, lesbians, gay men, bisexual people, trans and nonbinary people, couples, single parents by choice, poly families, and coparents.” (Catalogue)

My brain still needs glasses : ADHD in adults / Vincent, Annick
“Did you know that over half of children affected by ADHD still show symptoms when they reach adulthood? Relying on the latest research in the field, this book is an indispensable guide for all those who want to understand and find tools to better cope with ADHD. Accessible and packed with illuminating testimonials, it takes the reader step by step through the clinical symptoms, diagnostic approach and pharmacological treatments available for this neurodevelopmental problem.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

How to eat more plants : transform your health with 30 plant-based foods per week (and why it’s easier than you think) / Rossi, Megan
“A fact-based guide to plant-based eating, explaining why a diverse diet is the key to better health-with 80 plant-packed recipes.” (Catalogue)

 

Arthritis / Fox, Barry
“Arthritis For Dummies helps you make sense of arthritis and understand your diagnosis and treatment options. This updated edition show you the latest advances in diagnostic techniques, medications, and treatment plans. With these expert tips and proven medical wisdom, you’ll be able to calm those joints, so you can get back to the business of living. Alternative medicine and lifestyle changes are covered, too–it’s your must-read guide to living a full life with arthritis.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Womb : the inside story of where we all began / Hazard, Leah
“In this book, midwife and bestselling author Leah Hazard sets out on a journey to explore the rich past, complex present and dynamic future of the uterus. She speaks to the Californian doctor who believes women deserve a period-free life; walks in the footsteps of the Scottish woman whose Caesarean section changed childbirth forever; uncovers America’s long history of forced and coercive sterilisation; observes uterine transplant surgery in Sweden and takes a very personal dive into the world of ‘womb wellness’.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The complex PTSD coping skills workbook : an evidence-based approach to manage fear and anger, build confidence, and reclaim your identity / Greenberg, Tamara McClintock
“Reclaim your life from C-PTSD with this powerful and compassionate workbook.  You’ll learn the most effective strategies to manage symptoms, overcome painful memories, and build self-confidence. Most importantly, you’ll find validation that your feelings aren’t “crazy” or “outsized,” and discover the skills needed to help you reclaim your life.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

For more new items in the collection, go to: What’s new & Popular / April 2023 (wcl.govt.nz)

Gong bathing with musician extraordinaire Erika Grant

Neil
Photo courtesy of  Holly Fenwick and used with kind permission.

Erika Grant is many things: a multi-talented musician, a music teacher, an astrologer, a float facilitator and has just added to her quiver of sonic talents a purveyor and creator of gong baths. She is interested in, amongst many things, how deep relaxation, rest, spirituality and music intersect.

She has played with a myriad of bands in all sorts of guises, to name just two Cookie Brooklyn and the Crumbs and the marvellous Orchestra of spheres. She has also performed in many festivals both here and abroad, such as the Fertility Festival, and has made multiple live soundtracks for the Wellington Film Society, including the recent live soundtrack screening of the F.W. Murnau 1926 black and white movie classic masterpiece Faust. She graduated from the Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand and was awarded the 2009 Chapman Tripp award for outstanding music composers.

Erika talked to us primarily about her new gong baths experience, but we did squeeze in a few questions about some of her many other musical adventures and beyond. We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Erika for taking the time to talk to us about gong baths and her many other musical activities, and for providing such an illuminating insight into her world and work.

A huge thank-you also for providing an exclusive gong bath recording for the interview (you can hear that at the end of the interview). All music is copyright Erika Grant and used with kind permission.

This interview was done in conjunction with Caffeine and Aspirin, the arts and entertainment review show on Radioactive FM.

For more information on Erika’s Gong Baths and future dates, you can visit her Facebook page.

For information about her astrology sessions, you can visit her website.

And to borrow just a few of the musical projects Erika has been involved with click below.
Mirror / Orchestra of Spheres
“Orchestra of Spheres’ fourth full-length is their longest and most ambitious work to date, as well as their most hypnotic, with a greater presence of trance-inducing mantras among the genre-busting dance grooves usually heard on the group’s albums. Mirror also boasts fuller orchestration than their other efforts, with shamanic strings and colourful horns/woodwinds taking greater precedence than before. More universally conscious as well as more introspective than their past works, Mirror vastly expands Orchestra of Spheres’ scope while maintaining their kinetic energy and exploratory spirit. ~ Paul Simpson” (Adapted from Catalogue) Also available as  Vinyl.
Vibration animal sex brain music / Orchestra of Spheres
“There are so many elements at work in Orchestra of Spheres’ brand of “future funk” music that it would seem an ambiguous wash if it weren’t so carefully calculated and specifically articulated. On their sophomore full-length, OOS’ vibe is more rhythmically complex than on 2011’s Nonagonic Now, and their studio approach is slicker, to boot. A skillful yet seemingly ragged blanket of squiggly synths inside a field of criss-crossing African, South American, and funk rhythms, chanted vocals, wah-wah guitar, and splattery percussion goes straight to the belly bone. ~ Thom Jurek” (Adapted from Catalogue) Also available as Vinyl.

Brothers and sisters of the black lagoon / Orchestra of Spheres
“Orchestra of Spheres’ hand-crafted fusion of prog rock, psychedelia, indie rock, and world music continues to baffle and impress on their third album, 2016’s Brothers and Sisters of the Black Lagoon. Rhythm is the one hard and fast rule that Orchestra of Spheres observe, and they take on something a bit different on each track. “Trapdoors” and “Walking Through Walls” are built around mutated Juju and Afro-beat patterns.  Brothers and Sisters of the Black Lagoon is clearly the work of a profoundly gifted band, and they’ve created something honestly fascinating on this album. ~ Mark Deming” (Adapted from Catalogue) Also available as Vinyl.

Panthalassa / Fraser, Alistair
“Panthalassa was the super ocean that surrounded the super continent Pangaea during the Palaeozoic-Mesozoic era. Panthalassa, the album, is an abstract and impressionist work in which conceptual ideas are explored through the luminous ngā taonga pūoro playing of Al Fraser, the evocative atmospheric soundscapes of Neil Johnstone, and the virtuosic drones and textures created by guitar player Sam Leamy. And Ocean Harp from Erika Grant. The album explores a unique sound world through the use of hydro-phonic recordings of migrating marine animals from Cook Strait/Raukawa. These recordings, made and supplied by NIWA, present a very rich and diverse sonic environment, which may change in the future due to the diminishing of native marine species.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Nonagonic now / Orchestra of Spheres

“Track List 1. Hypercube, 2. There Is No No, 3. Rotate, 4. Spontaneous Symmetry, 5. Eternal C Of Darkness, 6. Hypersphere, 7. Isness, 8. Toadstone, 9. Boltzmann Brain, 10. Ulululul ” ( Adapted from Catalogue) Also available as Vinyl. 

 

Covid colab : a NZ lockdown music collaboration
” A Covid lockdown fundraising album created by some of New Zealand’s finest musicians remotely during lockdown. Featuring Contents : Borne aloft Al Fraser, Ruby Mae Hinepunui Solly, Michelle Velvin, Milo Meldrum, Nikau Te Huki , Defy Maz Hermon, Nikita Tu-Bryant, Johnny Lawrence, Deanne Krieg, Johnathan Nott ,  Glass mountain Benjamin James, Caroline Bay, Tom Watson, Annabel Alpers, Samuel Scott Side B: Counting down the days  Ryan Prebble, Erika Grant, Ben Lemi, Estère Dalton, Flo Wilson, Cass Basil , The phone call  Samuel Scott, Caroline Bay, Stef Animal, Anita Clark, Benjamin James, Disguise David Randall Peters, Peter Hamilton, Ayrton Foote, Rachelle Eastwood, Letitia Mackenzie, Precipice Brooke Singer, Anna Edgington, Ben Lemi, Deanna Krieg, Grayson Gilmour.” ( adapted from Catalogue) 

 

 

Chill: New Health & Wellness Titles in the Collection

Kath

Take a look at these new books on health and wellness that have been recently added to our collection.  They cover mental and physical health, food, exercise, sleep, addiction and more.

Chill : the cold water swim cure / Harper, Mark
“A history, science, and program for cold water swimming used successfully as a therapeutic intervention for many who suffer from a handful of health conditions including chronic pain, dementia, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and migraines.” (Catalogue)

 

Living PCOS free : how to regain your hormonal health with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Bajekal, Nitu
“Based on her research, 35 years’ clinical practice, and her personal experience of a plant-based diet–with input from her daughter, nutritionist and former PCOS sufferer Rohini Bajekal–she offers this practical lifestyle guide to recovery from polycystic ovarian syndrome. ” (Adapted from Catalogue)

 

This naked mind : nicotine : the proven science-based method to quitting smoking and vaping / Grace, Annie
“In This Naked Mind: Nicotine Annie Grace and William Porter combine their tried-and-tested, science-backed and habit-breaking solutions to help you to overcome nicotine addiction. With thought-provoking questions and exercises that will spark clarity and help you think differently, they will guide you to give up for good. Ground-breaking, essential and transformative, this book will help you jump-start your journey to stop smoking or vaping, leading to immediate and lasting change.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The neuroscience of excellent sleep : how neuroscience and mindfulness can help you get a good night’s sleep, work more efficiently and lead a healthier life / Rodski, Stan
“In this book, renowned neuroscientist Stan Rodski takes us through the fundamentals of sleep – how sleep works, why we sleep and how much sleep we need – but, most importantly, he gives us exercises to help overcome the bane of insomnia. Drawing on the techniques of mindfulness, meditation and relaxation, and the neuroscience that underpins them all, Stan gives you the tools to prepare yourself (and your children) for an excellent sleep – and achieve it!” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The book of feeling blue : understand & manage depression / Smith, Gwendoline
“Bestselling author of The Book of Overthinking Gwendoline Smith explains what’s going on when you’re feeling down and offers advice on how best to cope.” (Catalogue)

 

 

The invisible kingdom : reimagining chronic illness / O’Rourke, Meghan
“A landmark exploration of one of the most consequential and mysterious issues of our time: the rise of chronic illness and autoimmune diseases. Renowned writer Meghan O’Rourke delivers a revelatory investigation into this elusive category of ‘invisible’ illness that encompasses autoimmune diseases, post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome, and now long COVID.  The Invisible Kingdom offers hope for the sick, solace and insight for their loved ones, and a radical new understanding of our bodies and our health.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Intolerance-friendly kitchen / McDermott, Georgia
“If you have a dietary intolerance and sometimes feel you’re missing out on foods you’d love to eat, this book is for you. Intolerance-Friendly Kitchen is all about reliable recipes that are gluten free, low FODMAP and vegetarian, and cater wherever possible to diets without dairy, eggs, nuts, grains, starches or gums.  From bread, cakes and other sweet bakes to pasta, noodles and savoury pastry, this is a collection of recipes so rewarding and easy to follow that meeting your dietary requirements feels like a bonus!” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Your health in your hands : an essential handbook to futureproof your health / Okorocha, Emeka
“TikTok star and A&E Doctor, Emeka Okorocha fast became a go-to source for healthcare advice and support during the pandemic. Your Health in Your Hands is his handbook for preventative medicine in the form of simple lifestyle hacks and advice for mind and body health that can be harnessed in the short-term with huge long-term benefits.” (Catalogue)

 

The perfect tonic : the remarkable medicinal history of beer, wine, spirits and cocktails / English, Camper
“Alcohol and medicine have an inextricably intertwined history, with innovations in each altering the path of the other.  Modern cocktails like the Gimlet, Gin & Tonic, and Old Fashioned were born as delicious remedies for diseases and discomforts. In Doctors and Distillers, cocktail expert Camper English reveals how and why the contents of our medicine and liquor cabinets were, until surprisingly recently, one and the same.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The anxiety antidote : how awareness and action can lead to self-control and inner peace / Bedi, Kamran
“The Anxiety Antidote makes understanding and dealing with anxiety easy and practical. With leading Neuro-Linguistic Programmer, Integral Eye Movement Therapy and Transformational Life Coach Kamran Bedi as your guide, gain a deeper awareness of what anxiety is, how it is formed subjectively, the physical symptoms and a set of practical tools that you can use to eradicate anxiety from your life.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

For more new items in the collection, go to: What’s new & Popular / March 2023 (wcl.govt.nz)

Self Care – New Health Titles in the Collection

Kath

Self care, caring for family and caring about food are some of the themes in this month’s crop of new health titles.  Take a look at these to get started.

Self-care for people with ADHD : 100+ ways to recharge, de-stress, and prioritize you / Hamdani, Sasha
“When you have ADHD, it can be hard to stay on top of your wellness. Self-Care for People with ADHD is here to help! This book can help you engage in some neurodiverse self-care-without pretending to be neurotypical. You’ll find more than 100 tips to accepting yourself, destigmatizing ADHD, finding your community, and taking care of your physical and mental health. You’ll find solutions for managing the negative aspects of ADHD, as well as ideas to bring out the positive aspects.” (Catalogue)

Connections : the new science of emotion / Deisseroth, Karl
“Mental illness is one of the greatest causes of human suffering, its nature and origin a long-held mystery. But thanks to new science and technology, our understanding has reached a tipping point. In Connections, Professor Karl Deisseroth intertwines his own breakthrough discoveries with moving case studies from his experience as an emergency psychiatry physician, in order to tell a wider story about the origins of human emotion.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Crohn’s & colitis / Ali, Tauseef
“Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are diseases that disrupt your body’s ability to digest food, absorb nutrition, and eliminate waste in a healthy manner. Crohn’s And Colitis For Dummies is the ultimate reference to these common forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including tips on how to recognize and control the symptoms, so you can get your life back.”  (Adapted from Catalogue)

The yoga manifesto : how yoga helped me and why it needs to save itself / Gilani, Nadia
“Nadia Gilani has been practising yoga for twenty-five years. She has also worked as a yoga teacher. Yoga has saved her life and seen her through many highs and lows; it has been a faith, a discipline, and a friend, and she believes wholeheartedly in its radical potential. By turns poignant, funny, and shocking, The Yoga Manifesto excavates where the industry has gone wrong, and what can be done to save the practice from its own success.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Breastfeeding doesn’t need to suck : how to nurture your baby and your mental health / Kendall-Tackett, Kathleen A
“Painful latch, delayed milk, low supply, oversupply, infections, and tongue-tie are just some of the issues that can imperil breastfeeding. Postpartum anxiety and depression can make things even harder. This book aims to help expectant and new mothers reach their breastfeeding goals and care for their babies with confidence.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Food for life : the new science of eating well / Spector, T. D.
“Food is our greatest ally for good health, but the question of what to eat has never seemed so complicated. In his new book, Tim Spector creates a unique, thorough, evidence-based guide to the real science of eating. Moving away from misleading notions of calories or nutritional breakdowns, Food for Life empowers us to make our own food choices based on a deeper understanding of the true benefits and harms that come from our daily transactions with the foods around us.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Plague, pestilence and pandemic : voices from history
“Plague, pestilence, and pandemics have been a part of the human story from the beginning and have been reflected in art and writing at every turn. Humankind has always struggled with illness; and the experiences of different cities and countries have been compared and connected for thousands of years. From the plagues of ancient Egypt recorded in Genesis to those like the Black Death that ravaged Europe in the Middle Ages, and from the Spanish flu of 1918 to the Covid-19 pandemic in our own century, this anthology contains fascinating accounts.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Taking charge of adult ADHD : proven strategies to succeed at work, at home, and in relationships / Barkley, Russell A.
“Preeminent expert Russell A. Barkley explains what ADHD looks like in adults, how to get an accurate evaluation, and how sufferers can manage symptoms and build the life they want.   Featuring the latest resources and medication facts, the second edition includes new or expanded discussions of mindfulness, emotional self-control, time management, building a successful career, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and more.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Eat & flourish : how food supports emotional well-being / Albright, Mary Beth
“A lively and evidence-based argument that a whole food diet is essential for good mental health. Food has power to nourish your mind, supporting emotional wellness through both nutrients and pleasure. In this groundbreaking book, journalist Mary Beth Albright draws on cutting-edge research to explain the food/mood connection. She redefines “emotional eating” based on the science, revealing how eating triggers biological responses that affect humans’ emotional states both immediately and long-term. Albright’s accessible voice and ability to interpret complex studies from the new field of nutritional psychology, combined with straightforward suggestions for what to eat and how to eat it, make this an indispensable guide.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

For more new items in the collection, go to What’s new & Popular / February 2023 (wcl.govt.nz)

How to Find Stillness Within: New Health Titles in the Collection

Kath

From birth to death and everywhere in between, we have a whole host of new health titles in the collection this January.  Here are some to get you started.

How to find stillness within : the yoga therapy plan to help you find inner peace in a chaotic world / Dunsmuir, Colin
“How to Find Stillness Within is a therapeutic programme to help readers accept their flaws and discover a more fulfilling way of living, featuring a foreword by Cara Delevingne.  Whether you’d like to boost your mental and physical wellbeing, general health, or gain a supportive framework to help you to overcome difficult situations that you’re facing in life, this book can help.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Overcoming stress-induced brain fog : 10 simple ways to find focus, improve memory & feel grounded / Weber, Jill P.
“Brain fog-that feeling of being overstimulated and stressed to the point where it affects the ability to focus, concentrate, or communicate effectively-is a very real issue for many people. The prolonged stress and anxiety that lead to brain fog can decrease motivation, passion, and even one’s sense of self-worth. This book presents proven-effective skills from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and neuroscience, and offers readers ten powerful and accessible approaches for cutting through the haze and reclaiming control.” (Catalogue)

Duel without end : mankind’s battle with microbes / Frøland, Stig Sophus
“From the bubonic plague to theoretical pathogens on other worlds, a sweeping look at the past, present, and future of mass infections-and how we battle them. In this panoramic and up-to-date account, we learn how the Black Death, smallpox, the 1918 influenza pandemic, and other great epidemics have not only led to enormous suffering and mass death but have also contributed to the fall of empires and changed the course of history. Duel Without End is a fascinating journey through the long history of infection, from the dawn of life to humanity’s future exploration of deep space.” ( Adapted from Catalogue)

Healthier homes : a blueprint for creating a toxin-free living environment / Stout, Jen
“We spend 90% percent of our time indoors and consider our homes to be safe havens from the stresses and dangers of the outside world, but what most of us don’t know is that the materials used to build our homes can contribute to our ill health. Healthy Home Builder is a soup-to-nuts guide for builders and DIY-er’s starting with the design and site selection, progressing to the materials for the interior and exterior of the home, and addressing the finishing touches of interior design and furnishings – and it includes a gorgeous photo gallery of homes that have been built with health and wellness in mind.”(Adapted from Catalogue)

Rest is resistance : a manifesto / Hersey, Tricia
“Disrupt and push back against capitalism and white supremacy. In this book, Tricia Hersey, aka The Nap Bishop, encourages us to connect to the liberating power of rest, daydreaming, and naps as a foundation for healing and justice. With captivating storytelling and practical advice, all delivered in Hersey’s lyrical voice and informed by her deep experience in theology, activism, and performance art, Rest Is Resistance is a call to action, a battle cry, a field guide, and a manifesto for all of us who are sleep deprived, searching for justice, and longing to be liberated from the oppressive grip of Grind Culture.”(Adapted from Catalogue)

The myth of normal : trauma, illness & healing in a toxic culture / Maté, Gabor
“In this revolutionary book, renowned physician Gabor Maté eloquently dissects how in Western countries that pride themselves on their healthcare systems, chronic illness and general ill health are on the rise. Nearly 70 percent of Americans are on at least one prescription drug; more than half take two. In Canada, every fifth person has high blood pressure. In Europe, hypertension is diagnosed in more than 30 percent of the population. And everywhere, adolescent mental illness is on the rise. So what is really “normal” when it comes to health?”(Catalogue)

Stumbling through space and time : living life with dyspraxia / Richings, Rosemary
Rosemary shares her experience of growing up dyspraxic, and how it impacts her sense of space, time and co-ordination.  Full of practical tips and insights into the strategies that gave Rosemary the confidence to succeed, this is an essential guide for other dyspraxics and those supporting them, which shows you how you too can thrive as a dyspraxic person.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

 

Minding your mind : understanding your mind : taking control of your mental health / Hickie, Ian
“It’s our greatest asset, but it can also be our greatest adversary, allowing in self-doubt, anxious thoughts and depression. Written with compassion and curiosity, warmth and humour, Minding Your Mind is for anyone who wants the best for their mental well-being but might not know the best way to get there. It’s a check-up for everything happening between the ears and through the body, flagging the warning signs when things get wobbly and offering a pathway to a more fulfilling life.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Shodo : the practice of mindfulness through the ancient art of Japanese calligraphy / Takeda, Rie
“The ancient Japanese art of calligraphy is more than just a decorative skill; it is a revolutionary approach to mindfulness. This is alongside spiritual guidance, including the concept of Mushin (an undisturbed mind), Qi energy, and how to discover your unique inner quality. ” (Adapted from Catalogue)

 

And finally : matters of life and death / Marsh, Henry
“From the bestselling neurosurgeon and author of Do No Harm, an unflinching and deeply personal exploration of death, life and neuroscience. As a retired brain surgeon, Henry Marsh thought he understood illness, but he was unprepared for the impact of his diagnosis of advanced cancer. Elegiac, candid, luminous and poignant, And Finally is ultimately not so much a book about death, but a book about life and what matters in the end.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

 

For more new items in our collection, go to What’s new & Popular / January 2023 (wcl.govt.nz)

Te ruahinetanga | Menopause

Tess

World Menopause Day is celebrated every year on October 18th to raise awareness and encourage the sharing of experiences and knowledge to reduce stigma around this natural stage of life. This year’s theme is Brain Fog and Memory Difficulties in Menopause. Te ruahinetanga | Menopause transition journeys are highly individualised experiences, where a range of different symptoms can occur, with varying levels of severity affecting qualities of life in different ways.  

We’ve created a reading list that includes a selection of new titles and popular staples, exploring both personal experiences and medical know-how around the inevitable transitions that our bodies can go through.

To access online resources in our collection, browse through our Te ruahinetanga | Menopause list on Libby, which includes eBooks, eAudiobooks and Magazines on the topic. You can also look back at our 2021 World Menopause Day post where Menopause over Martinis founder Sarah Connor shared her personal experience of perimenopause, and how that lead to the founding of her company and an awareness raising journey.  

For further online information check out the Australasian Menopause Society, who provide access to resources that aim to bridge the gap between healthcare providers and people experiencing menopause, ensuring accurate and evidence-based information is available to the wider community. You can download their printable infographic poster in both English and te reo Māori. New Zealand Family Planning also provides helpful advice for managing symptoms of menopause, and information on treatments and clinics available across Aotearoa. 

Spread the word, begin a conversation with a loved one or deepen your knowledge through our reading lists to help de-stigmatise te ruahinetanga | menopause today.

Reading List

Don’t sweat it : how to make ‘the change’ a good one / Pellegrino, Nicky
“Forget the myths and misinformation, respected health writer Nicky Pellegrino includes the latest research in this wonderfully candid, warm, and witty investigation into the realities of menopause. Nicky shares her own insights into this often-challenging phase of life, and interviews the experts for the latest credible research to help women make the right choice for themselves. Taking an upbeat approach to managing ‘the change’ to reshape how women experience menopause and show how life can be even better for it.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

This changes everything : the honest guide to menopause and perimenopause / Bezzant, Niki
“Niki Bezzant shares the latest specialist research and advice along with personal stories from real women to answer the most important questions women have about the hottest of topics. From bodies to mental health, alcohol to our stressful working lives, fertility to relationships, natural remedies to HRT, she dispels the myths and confusion around menopause – with a healthy side-serve of calling out sexism and snake-oil along the way.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Queen menopause : finding your majesty in the mayhem / Daddo, Alison
“A friendly, frank, compassionate and comprehensive companion for any woman experiencing menopause, or anyone wondering what to expect. Through sharing her own experience in a very real way, Ali hopes that women won’t feel so alone. Queen Menopause is the book Ali wishes she’d had when she was approaching menopause – so she could have been better prepared for what was coming, embraced the process and felt supported. This is for all women.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Menopause : a comic treatment
“A collection of comics presenting diverse views of menopause. Contributors address a range of life experiences, ages, gender identities, ethnicities, and health conditions.” (Catalogue)

 

 

Next level : your guide to kicking ass, feeling great, and crushing goals through menopause and beyond / Sims, Stacy T
“A renowned exercise and nutrition scientist provides active women approaching or experiencing menopause with all the training and nutrition advice they need to build a strong fitness foundation to keep them strong and capable as they age.” (Catalogue)

 

Cracking the menopause : while keeping yourself together / Frostrup, Mariella
“Straight-talking broadcaster Mariella Frostrup and award-winning health journalist Alice Smellie equip you with the knowledge you need to manage your symptoms from perimenopause onwards. Separating the myths from the reality and offering expertise, hope and advice, to open up the conversation about an urgent topic that half the population will experience, but barely anyone is talking about.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Hormone repair manual : every woman’s guide to healthy hormones after 40 / Briden, Lara
“Naturopath Lara Briden has more than 20 years’ experience in women’s health and her fresh approach aims to overturn the stigma of perimenopause and menopause to show women that many symptoms are temporary and manageable. Backed by evidence-based research and case studies, this is a reassuring guide to soothing, nourishing and strengthening your body, mind and spirit during this time of change.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The menopause manifesto : own your health with facts and feminism / Gunter, Jen
“The only thing predictable about menopause is its unpredictability. Factor in widespread misinformation, a lack of research, and the culture of shame around women’s bodies, and it’s no wonder women are unsure what to expect. Menopause is a planned change, and just like puberty we should be educated on what’s to come years in advance. This essential guide will revolutionize how women experience menopause.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Older and wider : a survivor’s guide to the menopause / Eclair, Jenny
“Jenny Eclair’s hilarious, irreverent and refreshingly honest compendium of the menopause is a whistle-stop tour of the menopause in all its glory, that will make you realise that it really isn’t just you. As Jenny says, ‘I can’t say that I’ve emerged like a beautiful butterfly from some hideous old menopausal chrysalis and it would be a lie to say that I’ve found the ‘old me’ again. But what I have found is the ‘new me’ – and you know what? I’m completely cool with that.'” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Perimenopower / Wilk, Katarina
“There may be up to fifteen years of hormonal changes in a woman’s body before she reaches the point where her periods stop. These years can be turbulent both emotionally and physically as our hormones fluctuate from our mid-thirties, so do the needs of our bodies. With the right lifestyle and dietary changes, you can turn the perimenopause into a powerful life transition towards a stronger, healthier and happier you.” (Adapted from Catalogue)