A new year brings aspirations to pause, reset and set new goals for self-care and personal well-being. As 2026 begins, University of Wisconsin students, faculty and staff are also entering into a new semester, one that holds the potential for both opportunity and challenge.

The Pruitt Center for Mindfulness and Well-Being offers support in the year ahead for individuals across the UW-Superior campus and the broader community. Through classes, workshops and events, the Pruitt Center provides mindfulness and well-being resources grounded in evidence-based practices.

Research shows mindfulness offers numerous benefits, including reduced stress and anxiety, improved focus and increased overall well-being. Even short practices can be impactful. Beginning January 20, Pruitt Center staff will lead a new weekly virtual meetup featuring short, accessible practices designed to help participants pause and ground themselves in the present moment. Midday Mindfulness is open to all and will take place every Tuesday at noon during the spring semester.

Another weekly opportunity to pause and reset is an ongoing yoga class presented by the Pruitt Center and led by an instructor from Runa Yoga. The class is open to all and can be joined virtually or in person on the second floor of the Jim Dan Hill Library every Wednesday at 8 a.m.

For those seeking a deeper, more committed mindfulness practice, the Pruitt Center offers a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction course. This internationally recognized program includes more than 30 hours of teacher-led instruction and guided practice over eight weeks of virtual weekly classes, along with one all-day session. The course is taught by Lori Tuominen, Pruitt Center program manager and certified MBSR teacher. Those interested can attend the Spring 2026 MBSR Orientation via Zoom on Wednesday, March 4, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

In addition, LiveWell, an initiative of the Pruitt Center, will host a variety of free events this spring designed to provide opportunities for connection and well-being. Offerings include weekly pickleball, a monthly dance class, a movement and nutrition class, a monthly craft meetup and more. LiveWell activities are led by UW-Superior faculty and staff and supported by community partners including Essentia Health St. Mary’s-Superior Hospital, Boreal Waters Community Foundation, WiSys Spark Grant, the Superior Rotary and the Miller-Dwan Foundation.

By creating accessible opportunities to pause, move, and connect, the Pruitt Center supports individual well-being while also contributing to a healthier, more resilient campus community.

To learn more about the programs and resources available, members of the campus community are invited to visit the Pruitt Center in Swenson Hall 3117 during an open house on Wednesday, January 21, from noon to 4 p.m.

Students, faculty, staff and community members are encouraged to explore the Pruitt Center’s event calendar to find offerings to support them as they navigate the year ahead.