Join the Adair County Extension Office on Wednesday, June 1, at noon CST as we again travel around the world. In this second installment of our international series, we will be learning about French culture and cuisine. Our workshop will be divided into thirds, first learning about French history from early revolutions to Napoleon, then we will discuss current country trends, finishing with a tasting of a traditional French dessert, aptly named Napoleon. Join us June 1 for this FREE workshop, space is limited to 15 people. Please RSVP by calling (270) 384-2317 before Friday, May 27.
Reduce Stress Through Mindfulness
Many stressful factors plague us on a constant basis. COVID-19, social media, 24/7 news alerts and demands from work and home help to create a world full of noise and chaos. Sometimes, we can get caught up in these stressors or events and allow them to take control over our lives and reduce our quality of life. Next time you are faced with a particularly tense encounter or situation, try using mindfulness to reduce your stress and return your focus to what is important to you.
Mindfulness requires you to purposely pay attention to what is happening in the present moment. The most common method is to focus on deep breathing and clearing your mind of thoughts. You can also focus on your physical self, your surroundings or your movements as you do a normal daily activity such as walking. Mindfulness helps you re-center, reduces external distractions and allows you to evaluate yourself and your reactions to life’s stressors.
Mindfulness-based stress reduction has been around since the 1970s, and numerous scientific studies have shown it is effective to reduce stress and may offer other positive benefits including decreased anxiety and depression. Some studies have shown mindful eating can also be a great tool for weight management.
You can practice mindfulness any time or any place, as long as you turn your focus inward and allow distractions to fade away. For more information on mindfulness, contact the Adair County Extension Office at 270-384-2317.
Source: Kerri Ashurst, Senior Extension Specialist and Janet Mullins, Extension Professor
Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expressions, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.
