TITAN Talks: The Mindful Mind + Body

Westminster College is in the business of creating human beings at our best. We invite our alumni and extend the invite to students and friends in the community to learn from our very own faculty scholars on how we can all live our lives with a mindful purpose.

Everyone is invited to partake in this free, THREE PART SERIES, each series featuring two, 30-minute talks and light snacks. We’re excited to learn and develop our best selves with you through the scope of research- and wisdom-based education, learning how our best selves impact community. Those who attend all three talks will earn a certificate of completion.

PART ONE

Session 1: The Mindful Mind: Creating a Sense of Calm in Life’s Turbulent Waters

Dr. Alison DuBois, associate professor, chair of the counseling program in the graduate school

Mindfulness helps individuals regulate emotional states that possess a particularly negative valence. They encourage the practitioner to focus on the “here and now” of the present moment and stay on purpose in an accepting and kind way. Coping self-efficacy, rooted in Eastern philosophy and defined as one’s perceived ability to effectively manage stressors, encourages a more passive rather than active action when addressing a negative situation, thereby increasing one’s perception of control.

Mindfulness training can improve areas of the brain assisting in learning, cognition, memory and emotional regulation as well as increases in positive attitude, self-compassion, gratitude, and empathy. Training in this area can ultimately decrease anxiety and stress.

Session 2: Exercise and the Mind

Dr. Deanne Buffalari, assistant professor of neuroscience and psychology

Physicians are clear on the impact that diet and exercise can have on the body.  Yet mental health and wellness is critical to a high quality life.  Emerging research suggests that exercise and activity can aid in coping with stress and anxiety, promote thinking and memory skills, and slow cognitive decline. Individuals who exercise show lower rates of depression and anxiety and decreased risk of developing diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Learning to engage in a more active life will serve not just the body but the mind as well, and exercise can serve as a viable approach to combat mental illness.

 

Those who complete all three series' will receive a certificate of completion. Advanced reservations are required.

For additional information, please contact Nicole Hunter at hunterna@westminster.edu or 724-946-7373.

Reservations due by Friday, September 14, 2018