LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State University Extension will have a free six-week online series that will include Mindfulness and the Sleep Education for Everyone Programs starting Monday, July 28.

The program will run from noon to 1:30 p.m. Eastern time on Zoom.

Research has shown that practicing mindfulness is effective in reducing stress-related symptoms such as worry, depression, physical tension and may be helpful in managing chronic conditions. This mindfulness program introduces participants to the experience and practice of mindfulness. Topics include mindfulness basics, mindful breath, body awareness, thoughts, emotions and building a personal practice.

Participants will also learn techniques to improve the quality and quantity of their sleep. They will cover the relationship between pain and sleep, sleep basics, sleep hygiene, stimulus control therapy, mindfulness, physical activity and sleep myths. Participants will be given a sleep challenge to try, so they can track the effectiveness of changing their sleep behaviors.

Sessions include:

— Mindfulness lesson;

— Mindfulness practice;

— Sleep Education: the relationship between pain and sleep, sleep hygiene, and techniques to improve sleep;

— Goal setting and check-in.

The program is offered free thanks to a grant from the Rural Health and Safety Education program.