Cottonwood Connections February 2026 | Page 10

 During January, FCW agent Michelle Beran worked with 4 classes of Hoisington Middle School students for Mind Body Whole Wellness. The curriculum and activities focus on handling our emotions and how what we eat, how we sleep, and the exercise we get affect our stress levels, emotional management, and overall health.

 

 

The second session focused on how sleep, or the lack of, impacts our mood and our stress levels. Discussion involved sleep cycles and how to set ourselves up for better, more restful, sleep. Students learned and practiced a “body scan” where they focus on contracting a specific set of muscles and releasing the muscle tension in coordination with deep, relaxed breathing.

 In the third session, we discussed healthy eating and how what we eat and drink impacts our ability to rest. A fun, interactive game tested students knowledge of food guidelines. In each session, students are encouraged to make one small change over the next week and log it and the impacts on a tracking sheet.

 The final session, which will be held in February, focuses on how exercise can positively impact our mood and stress levels. Students will work together to develop an exercise plan that includes the 30 minutes of daily exercise for their age group.

 Michelle appreciates the opportunity to work with Mason Haxton’s classes and HMS school nurse, Stacy Dolechek.

 

 

The first session focused on the correlation on stress levels and our mood. Students learned an practiced box breathing as a stress relief technique. As a fun hands-on activity, students played Jenga with questions such as “What would be the title of your autobiography”, “What is the first symptom you notice when you feel mad”, and “What is 1 thing you wish more people knew about you”. An important take-away is that emotions are what they are; it is how we act/react that can get us into trouble.

The Cottonwood Extension District hosted a Chamber of Commerce coffee in Hoisington on January 22. We had 18 participants who shared about community activities and learned about the Cottonwood Extension District and program areas, as well as upcoming programs and events.

Chamber Chat