We’re delighted to have Chris A Smith, MDiv., LMFT, to speak to us on the important topic of STRESS MANAGEMENT using mindfulness, Thursday, June 10th at 6PM.
Dr Dean Ornish, in his groundbreaking Lifestyle Heart Trial, demonstrated that a program of diet, minimal exercise, group support and stress management could slow, stop and sometimes reverse the nations number one killer of men and women, cardiovascular disease. In subsequent research, he found the program could positively affect prostate cancer as well as down regulate (turn off) hundreds of health compromising genes and up regulate (turn on) health promoting genes, showing our genes are not necessarily our fate! Our group, PBNOW, concentrates on the dramatic health benefits the diet portion of this equation brings but, as Dr Ornish has shown, managing stress can also be a significant contributor to improving our health.
Our speaker, Chris Smith, has taught a mindful approach to stress management to; athletes, medical residents, social workers, Navy seals, chaplains, inmates, students, corporate executives and employees and many more.
He has also been part of a Whole Health approach in health care which weaves mindfulness and lifestyle medicine to equip and empower VA staff and veterans.
He recently was a co-author on a research paper with The Center for Healthy Minds (allied with the University of Wisconsin in Madison), providing Mindfulness-Based Resilience Training for law enforcement officers and is a co-author of a chapter in an upcoming book on mindfulness in the law enforcement context.
He loves to weave stories and humor to his teaching.
Chris graduated magna cum laude from Iowa Wesleyan College with a bachelor’s degree in religion. He graduated from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity Degree and earned a certificate in marriage and family therapy from the Family Therapy Training Institute. He completed a Wellness coach certificate and health coaching protocol for Advocate Aurora Integrative Health.
He is currently principal consultant with the Academy for Mindfulness.
Chris lives in Milwaukee with his wife, Annie and Pomeranian, Vinny. They have three grown sons, a wonderful daughter-in-law and will be grandparents this year!