Learning how to relax and recharge has been front of mind for a group of Evans Head residents.
The residents are participating in a program designed to improve mental health, reduce stress and promote mindfulness.
The ‘Relax and Recharge’ course they’re enjoying consists of six free sessions run under Healthy North Coast’s Healthy Towns initiative in Evans Head.
Healthy North Coast funds the course through its Primary Health Network program.
Mandy Powell, who works in the role of Evans Head Healthy Towns ‘Community Connector’, said the free course attracted 15 participants interested in learning new skills.
The six sessions, run by Tressa, a local holistic therapist, have weekly themes. These are:
- Relax – body relaxation and body based calming techniques
- Calm – breathing strategies to decrease stress response
- Awareness – learning mindfulness
- Gratitude – practicing self-love
- Self-Care – reflexology points, aromatherapy
- Visualise and Create – meditation techniques.
“Some of the participants had become lonely and isolated and now they are really seeing benefits from learning how to deal with anxiety and stress and improve their mental health and wellbeing,” Ms Powell said.
“It’s fantastic and I think we’ve seen there’s a real need in the community for courses such as this, especially with COVID, which has been tough on everyone.
“After each session they sit down and have a cup of tea and a talk. It’s been a great way to connect people and to teach them new coping skills.”