Mindfulness Education

Healthy coping skills can be an important prevention tool against stress and more significant mental health issues later on in life. One healthy copying strategy with a lot of research behind it is mindfulness. The practice of mindfulness, especially when done daily for as little as five minutes a day, has profound effects on our well-being. According to Jon Kabat-Zinn, the founder of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, defines mindfulness as:

“Paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.”

To support this healthy coping skills among the county’s residents, Jackson County UW-Extension and Together for Jackson County Kids support the following initiatives:

MindUP

MindUP is a program/framework that is grounded in neuroscience, activated by mindful awareness, inspired by positive psychology, and designed as a catalyst for social-emotional learning. It is intended for use in K-8 classrooms. School staff using this program:

  • Use of an evidence-based classroom management curriculum that – when incorporated into the regular school day – has the added benefit of teaching students mindfulness, an important healthy coping skill for everyday living.
  • Facilitated discussion of effective ways to use the program and staff participants’ first-hand experiences.
  • Increased mindfulness skills and practice in their own lives.

Mindfulness for Teens

Offered by staff members at Black River Memorial Hospital, Mindfulness for Teens is a program designed for teens in grades 9-12. We can’t always choose what happens in life, but we can choose how we respond to it. Using mindfulness techniques, teens practice awareness of body, emotion, and thought with an open acceptance that supports healthy responses in daily life.

Mindfulness practice can help with:

  • Everyday challenges including family, school, and relationships
  • Focus and concentration
  • Headaches, sleep disruption, pain, digestive upset, and anxiety
  • General well-being

Questions about Mindfulness for Teens? Call 715-284-3629.

Mindfulness for Adults

Our Taking Care of You: Body Mind Spirit program, designed for adult stress reduction incorporates mindfulness practice into each session. Find out more here.

Questions?

Contact Karla Gearing, Health & Well-Being Educator, Jackson County UW-Extension
715-284-4257 ext. 502 (711 Wisconsin Relay) or karla.gearing@wisc.edu