Mindfulness

mind·ful·ness

(noun)
1. the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something.
2. a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations.

Mindfulness is a journey centered around striving to achieve the four ‘pillars of health’ every day to make you the best you. Reita Clanton, Coordinator of Performance and Health Optimization in the School of Kinesiology at Auburn University, shares with others how to incorporate the practice of mindfulness into their everyday lives. Assistant Clinical Professor, Ford Dyke, Ph.D., helps deliver mindfulness-based seminars to students, faculty, staff, and members of the community.

Four Pillars of Health

The most basic form of stress we experience as human beings is not having our basic needs met. The four ‘Pillars of Health’ help us meet our basic needs: Exercise, Nutrition, Hydration, and Sleep. They are the foundation of optimal health and well-being.

Exercise

Nutrition

Hydration

Sleep

Research

Our team of instructors, faculty, and graduate students published a paper in the Human Kinetics Journal entitled A Framework for Addressing Mental Health Issues on Campus Through the Implementation of Coursework, Outreach, and Partnership Building. We have implemented a framework to address mental health on campus and within our community. Our framework consists of coursework, outreach efforts, and establishing key partnerships to facilitate the delivery and sustainability of our programs. Using a mindfulness-based approach, our programs enable individuals to establish self-regulation skills, thereby establishing effective and healthy coping mechanisms. This paper discusses the evolution of our framework, as well as barriers and facilitators of implementation and sustainability.

Resources

Contact

For more information or to schedule a mindfulness-based seminar for your department, organization, or class, please e-mail Reita Clanton or Ford Dyke.