Community Seminar Series: Autumn Health Picks 2026
Learn how a small brain region shapes your reactions.
Why do we react to stress the way we do? This session explores the role of the amygdala, a key brain region involved in processing emotions and triggering the body’s fight-or-flight response. Learn how the amygdala helps us respond to challenges and what researchers are discovering about the connections among the brain, stress, and our reactions. Presenter: Sreelaya Bhamidi.
Check out additional workshops in the Autumn Health Picks 2026 Webinar Series:
Get research-based information on complex health issues in this free online series where experts from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offer holistic solutions to address health challenges. Autumn Health Picks 2026 is a collaboration between University of Illinois Extension and the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute at Illinois.
Active Moments, Healthier Days: Reducing the Risks of Too Much Sitting | Oct. 7.
Even if you meet the recommended physical activity guidelines, spending long periods sitting can still affect your health. This session explores how excessive sitting affects metabolism, energy levels, and long-term well-being. Learn practical, research-based strategies to incorporate more movement into your daily routine, reduce the effects of sedentary time, and support overall health through simple changes. Presenter: Vilma Gómez.
Inside the Stress Response: Understanding the Amygdala’s Role | Oct. 14.
Why do we react to stress the way we do? This session explores the role of the amygdala, a key brain region involved in processing emotions and triggering the body’s fight-or-flight response. Learn how the amygdala helps us respond to challenges and what researchers are discovering about the connections among the brain, stress, and our reactions. Presenter: Sreelaya Bhamidi.
Mapping Change: Exploring English Use and Gentrification in Puerto Rico | Oct. 21.
Communities across Puerto Rico are experiencing shifts in language use, population patterns, and neighborhood development. This session explores a community-led mapping project that examines the relationship between rising English use and concerns about gentrification and displacement. Learn how activists and researchers are collaborating to document these changes, increase spatial awareness, and better understand their impact on community identity and well-being. Presenter: Karla Sanabria Véaz.
Note:
This session will be offered in English and Spanish. The English session begins at noon, and the Spanish session starts at 1 p.m. Register for the Spanish session at go.illinois.edu/CSSAutumn2026Spanish.
Mindfulness and Music in Early Childhood: Supporting Attention and Emotional Regulation | Oct. 28.
Early childhood is a critical period for developing attention, emotional regulation, and coping skills. This session explores how mindfulness and music-related activities may support these emerging abilities. Learn about common approaches, including rhythmic movement, breathing exercises, mindful listening, and music-based attention activities. The session also reviews current research and highlights important considerations for parents, educators, and health professionals. Presenter: Hong Li.
Beyond the Stigma: Conversations and Care in the Opioid Crisis | Nov. 4.
Opioid use disorder affects communities across Illinois and beyond. This session explores how stigma shapes conversations about substance use and whether people seek support and access treatment. Learn how attitudes and language can influence health outcomes and discover practical ways individuals and communities can reduce stigma and support recovery. Presenter: Sami Pierce.
Understanding the Fear of Falling: Insights for Wheelchair and Scooter Users | Nov. 11.
Fear of falling is a common concern among wheelchair and scooter users, yet it is often overlooked in research and clinical care. This session reviews how clinicians and researchers assess fear of falling and highlights where important gaps remain. Learn how rehabilitation professionals approach these conversations and what can be done to better support mobility, confidence, and quality of life for wheelchair and scooter users. Presenter: Sahel Moein.
Embracing Differences: Mindfulness that Supports Families of Neurodivergent Children | Nov. 18.
Raising a neurodivergent child can bring joys, challenges, and stress to families. This session explores differences in social-emotional development between neurodivergent and neurotypical children, family experiences of raising neurodivergent children, and the potential role of mindfulness in supporting family well-being. Learn how family-centered mindfulness practices can foster awareness, connection, and compassion for both children and caregivers. Presenter: Kai-Ning Wang.
