UI professor to offer mindfulness meditation classes

A University of Idaho faculty member is offering students the chance to escape from homework, class and other responsibilities for 25 minutes a week.

Jamie Derrick, assistant professor in the psychology department, recently began leading free mindfulness meditation sessions from 12-12:25 p.m. Wednesdays in room 012 of the Niccolls Building.

Genie Tran | Argonaut UI students and Moscow community members gather in the Niccolls building Wednesday to attend a meditation class taught by UI psychology professor Jamie Derrick.

Its to bring attention to your emotional state, Derrick said. What does it feel like in your body? Being aware of your thinking and being slightly distanced without getting too caught up in the emotions and thoughts helps with difficult and painful thoughts.

Derrick said mindfulness meditation is a practice where an individual can use their mind and body to enter a mode of consciousness and feel content. She said practicing mindfulness meditation can help in every aspect of life, including problem solving, increasing test scores, reducing distractibility and increasing overall mood. She also said it leads to a stronger immune system.

Derrick said there are several approaches to mindfulness meditation, and the sessions will vary from week to week. Derrick said she hopes everyone will at least give meditation a try.

UI student Carlie Beasley attended Wednesdays meditation class and said she will definitely return for another session.

It was really awesome, Beasley said. I didnt really want to come out of my little Zen moment. I feel good Ill come back for sure.

Genie Tran | Argonaut Jamie Derrick, professor at UI Department of Psychology and Communication, teaches a class about medication in order to help UI students relief stress.

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Meditate stress away