This semester, the WKU Counseling Center will host four virtual mindfulness sessions to promote stress relief.

The Counseling Center, in collaboration with WellU student wellness, will be teaching a condensed version of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program via Zoom on Feb. 18, Feb. 25,  March 8 and March 11. For more information students can reach out to Staff Psychologist Masami Matsuyuki via email at [email protected].

MBSR is a stress reduction program for adults created by Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center. The program utilizes meditation, yoga and introspection to teach participants tools for stress relief.

In this condensed virtual program, WKU students will learn about stress management and take part in mindfulness and meditation, all guided by Kabat-Zinn’s book, “Wherever You Go There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life.”

The book will be accessible via Blackboard for all registered attendees. Students can also access a digital copy of the book from the WKU library.

The benefits of MBSR include better eating habits, managed anxiety, increased focus, lower heart rate and skills that can carry further into adult life, according to UMass Memorial Health.