By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
In just a couple of months, it will be three years from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in Kansas. Even with the restrictions letting up and less focus on the disease, the Barton County Health Department is using the New Year as a chance to catch their breath.
Health Director Karen Winkelman said the
message her department wants to present in 2023 is mindfulness.
Winkelman recommends being open to change and to focus on self-care. Mental
health has been highlighted over the last few years at varying levels for everyone during
the pandemic. Now it’s time to focus on ourselves.
"Mindfulness is intentional," said Winkelman. "Everyone has access to their own ability to purposely be mindful. The way some of those techniques work is just taking a pause in your life."
Winkelman said that pause can be at home or at work, and the pause can be as
simple as being aware of your breathing or focusing on nature.
"As busy as we have been, we haven't paused very often," said Winkelman. "Now, it has to be mindful. We have to train ourselves to do that."
Other examples of mindfulness to practice include slowing down and paying
attention to details, living in the moment and accepting yourself.
Find more about the importance of mindfulness from the Barton County Health
Department in their January newsletter HERE.
