CQUniversity Nursing student Kristy Lee Rackham is looking forward to the release of her new book Head Space - Meditate Your Way to Study Success, which will be available for purchase via online bookshops on June 1.

The Sunshine Coast local has written the publication which is illustrated by Nicole Verwey-Baker.

Nursing student Kristy Lee Rackham with a mock-up of the book cover

Head Space's premise is that developing a positive ‘head space' will improve study outcomes for students, whilst helping maintain a productive and peaceful work/life balance during the stresses of a school year.

The book includes practical and easy ways to use creative visualisation meditation to enhance the study experience and features a chapter by Like Chocolate for Women authors Kim Morrison and Fleur Whelligan about ways to incorporate aromatherapy as a tool for improving study outcomes.

Kristy has facilitated meditation classes for around 10 years but recently discovered its new application while becoming a Nursing student.

"It was only when I went back to university as a mature aged student to study nursing that the real value of meditation actually hit home," she said.

"I found it invaluable in not only maintaining balance and a cool head in the face of exams and assignment deadlines, but it seemed to help improve my study results!

"In fact, new scientific studies have shown that using meditation as a stress management tool can actually strengthen the centre of the brain responsible for memory retention and intellect!"

Head Space-Meditate Your Way to Study Success is aimed at school and university students who want to expand their study ‘toolbox', but Kristy says its content is also highly useful for ‘students of life' who wish to discover ways to improve their general wellbeing.

"The result is a practical and at the same time, calming and totally inspirational book to maximise personal potential via creative visualisation leading to less stress, greater ability to manage the intensity of study and life itself, and to cut through any mind-chatter that may be inhibiting personal progress," she says.

Kristy and Nicole are conducting ‘Head Space' workshops, seminars and events around the Sunshine Coast in conjunction with the book's online release.

Further details on the book and related events can be found by visiting http://www.headspacebook.com/.

Melbourne-born Kristy's early career moves were in advertising, events management and the media. However, the fast-pace of these industries led to depression and a series of life-altering upheavals. In response, Kristy and her family set up a wellness centre specialising in natural therapies, meditation and alternative healing. 

Kristy trained as a therapeutic massage therapist and holistic healer, and led the centre's guided visualisation classes. She wrote a manual for her class members which proved to be the first version of the new book.

With two young children arriving in recent years, Kristy now juggles parenthood with work, study and writing from home.