NEW MILFORD — Housatonic Valley Health District is hosting a month-long walking challenge and also a mindfulness meditation session.
As part of the walking challenge, “participants will have the opportunity to get involved in their community, walk somewhere they have never been before, and connect with others,” said New Milford health director Lisa Morrissey in a press release.
Walking is a great way to maintain a healthy weight, lose body fat, relieve stress, and promote better sleep, the release said.
Those in the walking challenge will be able to log their daily steps through Pacer for Teams and see how many steps their community has walked. The person with the most steps will be eligible for a prize at the end of the program.
For more information about the walking challenge, visit hvhd.us/national-public-health-week/.
The walking challenge is part of National Public Health Week, which runs from April 4 to April 10.
National Public Health Week is a time to recognize the contributions of public health and highlight issues that are important to improving communities’ overall health and well being, the release said.
As part of National Public Health Week, Housatonic Valley Health District will also be hosting a virtual Mindfulness Meditation session April 6 from 7 to 8 p.m. on Google Meets.
Praba Makayee, an educator and mindfulness leader who will be leading the session, said “Mindfulness is a deliberate and voluntary process by which we can reframe our problems and find solutions instead of staying in a perpetual state of cyclical and unending suffering. And we can do all of that in one second, with one thought and one breath.”
Mindfulness meditation enables people to slow down their minds, focus better, and reduce negative emotions, the release said.
To learn more about this program and to register, visit hvhd.us/event/.
For more information on the Housatonic Valley Health District, visit hvhd.us or call 203-264-9616.
The Housatonic Valley Health District serves New Milford, Oxford, Southbury, Washington, and Woodbury.
