Mindfulness and Well-being: Living with Balance and Ease

Mindfulness and Well-being: Living with Balance and Ease

This course is part of Mindfulness and Well-being Specialization

Instructor: Dr. Elizabeth Slator

Access provided by Coursera Learning Team

35,957 already enrolled

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

4.9

(344 reviews)

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

Approx. 19 hours

Learn at your own pace

99%

Most learners liked this course

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

4.9

(344 reviews)

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

Approx. 19 hours

Learn at your own pace

99%

Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

Increase capacity for attentional control, sustained focus and presence.
Concepts and practices that deepen the understanding of the mind/body connection, and highlights ways that the body is a direct portal to presence.
Cultivate compassion for self and others

Details to know

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Assessments

14 assignments

Taught in English

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This course is part of the Mindfulness and Well-being Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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There are 5 modules in this course

This is the sequel course to Foundations of Mindfulness that will continue to provide a broad overview of the fundamental concepts, principles, and practices of mindfulness. With interactive exercises to help students explore their own attitudes, mental habits and behaviors, Foundations of Mindfulness series offers a pathway for living with more freedom, authenticity and ease. Featured components of the course include experiential exercises, guided meditations, personal reflection and interactive discussions.

Living with Balance and Ease will not only cover some of the fundamentals of mindfulness, but will focus on connecting to the innate resources and abilities that will allow for a more effective response to life's challenges, build resiliency, and invite peace and ease into everyday life. Although this course can be taken as a standalone, it is recommended to take the first Foundations of Mindfulness course before beginning this course.

What's included

2 videos3 readings1 discussion prompt

What's included

7 videos7 readings4 assignments1 peer review5 discussion prompts

7 videosTotal 50 minutes

Introduction4 minutesPreview module
The Physiology and Health Consequences of Stress9 minutes
The Stress Process3 minutes
Habitual Reactivity to Stress3 minutes
Week 1 Wrap-up1 minute
Awareness of Breath Guided Meditation11 minutes
Body Scan16 minutes

7 readingsTotal 75 minutes

Overview of Mindfulness Experiences for the Week10 minutes
Stress and Wellness Questionnaire 15 minutes
Overview of Week 1 Mindfulness Experiences10 minutes
Week 1 Rejuvenator: Observing Reactivity10 minutes
Stress and the Brain10 minutes
The Science of Stress and How Our Emotions Affect Our Susceptibility to Burnout and Disease10 minutes
The Mind Body Interaction in Disease10 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 62 minutes

Checklist2 minutes
Interpreting the Stress and Wellness Questionnaire20 minutes
Stress and Mind/Body Systems10 minutes
Observing Reactivity30 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Weekly Reflection 160 minutes

5 discussion promptsTotal 50 minutes

Symptoms of Stress10 minutes
Man, I am stressed!10 minutes
Check out or work out? Which do you do?10 minutes
Share Your Meditation Experience10 minutes
Share Resources: Week 110 minutes

What's included

10 videos5 readings3 assignments1 peer review4 discussion prompts

10 videosTotal 71 minutes

Module Intro4 minutesPreview module
Introducing Mindfulness6 minutes
3-Minute Breathing Space3 minutes
Strategies for Cultivating Mindfulness3 minutes
Mindful Stress Reduction12 minutes
Week 2 Wrap Up1 minute
Awareness of Breath and Body Guided Meditation7 minutes
Awareness of Breath Guided Meditation11 minutes
3-Minute Breathing Space3 minutes
Body Scan16 minutes

5 readingsTotal 50 minutes

Overview of Mindfulness Experiences for the Week10 minutes
Overview of Week 2 Mindfulness Experiences10 minutes
Week 2 Rejuvenator: Mindful Photo Walk10 minutes
The Science of How Our Minds and Our Bodies Converge in the Healing of Trauma10 minutes
Can Mindfulness Address Maladaptive Eating Behaviors?10 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 42 minutes

Checklist2 minutes
Mindful Stress Reduction 10 minutes
Mindful Photo Walk30 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Weekly Reflection 260 minutes

4 discussion promptsTotal 40 minutes

Meditation Demo 10 minutes
The most interesting thing I saw was...10 minutes
Share Your Meditation Experience10 minutes
Share Resources: Week 210 minutes

What's included

7 videos5 readings3 assignments1 peer review5 discussion prompts

7 videosTotal 49 minutes

Week 3 Intro5 minutesPreview module
The Trouble with Certainty10 minutes
Fixed vs. Growth Mindset5 minutes
Mindfulness and Equanimity5 minutes
Week 3 Wrap-up1 minute
Awareness of Breath and Body Guided Meditation7 minutes
Mountain Meditation12 minutes

5 readingsTotal 60 minutes

Overview of Mindfulness Experiences for the Week10 minutes
Moving Past Limiting Beliefs20 minutes
Overview of Week 3 Mindfulness Experiences10 minutes
Week 3 Rejuvenator: Going on a MicroAdventure10 minutes
Fixed Views10 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 70 minutes

Checklist30 minutes
Creating and Sustaining Balance10 minutes
Going on a MicroAdventure30 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Weekly Reflection 360 minutes

5 discussion promptsTotal 55 minutes

Becoming Unstuck15 minutes
Everything you want is on the other side of fear.10 minutes
When the Going Gets Tough...10 minutes
Share Your Meditation Experience10 minutes
Share Resources: Week 310 minutes

What's included

8 videos6 readings4 assignments1 peer review3 discussion prompts

8 videosTotal 61 minutes

A Case for Self-Care3 minutesPreview module
Optimizing Well-Being7 minutes
Changing Behavior Mindfully7 minutes
Compassion vs. Criticism7 minutes
Week 4 Wrap-up2 minutes
Loving-Kindness Meditation15 minutes
R.A.I.N. Meditation15 minutes
Course Conclusion2 minutes

6 readingsTotal 70 minutes

Overview of Mindfulness Experiences for the Week10 minutes
Nourishing/Depleting Activities10 minutes
Overview of Week 4 Mindfulness Experiences10 minutes
Week 4 Rejuvenator: Solo Challenge10 minutes
Personal Wellness Inventory20 minutes
Self-Compassion and Well-Being10 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 100 minutes

Checklist30 minutes
Reflecting on Your Personal Wellness Inventory30 minutes
Achieving Positive Health10 minutes
Week 4 Rejuvenator: Solo Challenge30 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 30 minutes

Weekly Reflection 430 minutes

3 discussion promptsTotal 30 minutes

How do you practice self-care?10 minutes
Share your meditation experience10 minutes
Share Resources: Week 410 minutes

Instructor

Instructor ratings

4.8 (162 ratings)

Dr. Elizabeth Slator

Rice University

3 Courses121,291 learners

Offered by

Rice University

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Learner reviews

4.9

344 reviews

5 stars
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4 stars
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3 stars
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Showing 3 of 344

Reviewed on Jun 8, 2021

Highly recommended. The very grounding approach and quality of Dr Elizabeth is very refreshing. Thanks Dr Eizabeth.

Reviewed on Oct 9, 2022

Wonderfull course. I learned so much and with the exercices, I feel how mindfulness brings me equanimity.

Reviewed on Feb 11, 2025

This course was a very well-constructed and presented overview of how mindfulness can be very beneficial to our well-being. Our physical health, mental health, and happiness in general.

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