MSU Extension Healthy Relationships

The new year brings a fresh start — yet the reality of everyday stressors can also feel overwhelming. If you're looking for practical ways to stay calm, reduce stress and improve your overall well-being, our Mindful Self-Care for Health and Well-Being Series offers a perfect opportunity to reset.

Mindfulness is the art of paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, without judgment. It’s a simple yet transformative practice that has been shown to reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, enhance focus and foster a greater sense of well-being. These sessions are designed not just to inform, but to empower you with tools you can immediately apply to your life, making mindfulness an accessible and practical resource for navigating everyday challenges.

This free series of virtual lunchtime presentations is designed to help you navigate life’s challenges with greater resilience and mindfulness. Open to all adults, each session will explore a different topic, providing you with simple yet effective tools to cultivate mindfulness in your daily routine. Whether you're looking to improve mental clarity, manage stress, or foster a more positive mindset, these sessions will help you achieve greater balance in your life.

Registration is now open and will remain available until February 20, 2025. You can select which sessions you'd like to attend — no need to commit to every date. However, please note that these sessions will not be recorded, so join us live to benefit from the experience.

Session 1: Begin with a Breath

Thursday, February 6, 2025

In this engaging session, you’ll learn the science behind mindfulness and how it can reduce stress, boost resilience, and improve overall well-being. By the end of the session, you’ll be equipped with simple yet powerful breathing techniques and mindfulness practices that you can incorporate into your daily routine. Whether you’re dealing with workplace stress, managing personal life demands or simply seeking a deeper sense of calm, this session will provide you with the tools to begin your mindfulness journey with intention.

Session 2: Be Kind to Your Mind

Thursday, February 13, 2025

In this hands-on session, we’ll dive into mindful attention to thoughts, helping you recognize and challenge negative patterns of thinking. Mindfulness is not about avoiding difficult emotions, but rather learning to relate to them in a more compassionate way. Through practical exercises and insights from neurobiology, you’ll discover how to foster self-compassion, practice acceptance and cultivate gratitude, all of which can reduce stress and enhance emotional well-being. By the end of the session, you’ll have actionable strategies to boost your mental clarity, strengthen emotional resilience, and nurture a more peaceful mindset.

Session 3: Problem-Solving with Mindfulness

Thursday, February 20, 2025

In this interactive session, you’ll explore mindful problem-solving strategies that can help you address difficulties with clarity and calm. Whether you're dealing with communication challenges, work-related obstacles, or personal dilemmas, you’ll learn how to tackle problems effectively and with greater ease. This session will offer you practical tools for constructive problem-solving, improving your communication skills, and making confident decisions, all while maintaining a mindful and balanced approach. Start the year with a refreshed mindset and a toolkit for resilience. Join us for this insightful, supportive series and take the first step towards a calmer, more mindful life.

MSU Extension has several mindfulness articles you can read, such as Slow Your Breath, Improve Your Health!, Be Intentional About Self-Care, and ABC’s of Changing Your Thoughts and Feelings to Change Your Behavior. Additional online health programs are available on the Health and Nutrition Virtual Health Programs Calendar.