As another week passes, my hope is that you are staying well and finding things to smile about each day. It is easy to get overloaded with news accounts that we really have no control over. Taking time each day for what I call “self-care” is more important than ever. Carving out time for whatever brings you peace of mind may look different for you than it does for me. Those of you who know me, can guess my self-care includes a bike ride somewhere every chance I get.
The “Mindful Meditation and Do-In” class that was set to begin next week through the Great Bend Recreation Commission can’t be held due to the stay at home order. But for those who were signed up and for anyone who has access to a computer, a recorded version is available. While I am disappointed that we can’t meet in person, taking advantage of the video format allows you to participate in the comfort of your own home. Our Cottonwood Extension District website has a link to Everyday Mindfulness in the middle of the front page. This was a recording I was asked to do at one of our agent updates. Extension colleagues Charlotte Shoup-Olsen and Debra Bolton join me as we share the benefits of taking deep breaths and clearing the many thoughts racing through our minds. About 31 minutes into the recording, my husband, John, leads a short meditation and Do-In (pronounced doe-een) exercises.
As I surveyed additional mindful meditation resources that are on-line I found literally hundreds of links to well-done videos. There are many websites with research based information as well. Mindfulness was a hot topic before the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, more than ever, people are hoping to find a way to cope with the feelings of anxiousness and uncertainty.
The “Everyday Mindfulness” fact sheet I helped write a couple of years ago offers the following benefits that come from a regular meditation practice:
• Increased ability to relax
• Improved concentration
• Increased energy and enthusiasm for life
• Increased creativity
• Increased self-awareness
• Improved self-esteem
• Improved work/school performance
If you are interested in checking out the fact sheet and leaders guide, it can be found on the KSRE web site. You can search by the publication title, “Everyday Mindfulness” or publication numbers MF3424 and MF3425.
If the Mindful Meditation and Do-In classes sound like something you would like to participate in, please give me a call to register for the sessions we are hoping to teach in July at the Great Bend Activity Center.
Donna Krug is the Family & Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. Contact her at 620-793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu.
