IPC Health is inviting those searching for strategies to manage stress to free Learn to Relax sessions in Hoppers Crossing.
The sessions will be held 11am-12pm every Thursday from 5 March to 2 April at IPC Health Hoppers Crossing campus.
The six-week program is open to anyone older than 18, and utilises a group setting to facilitate stress management and different relaxation techniques.
Participants gain both knowledge and hands-on experience, including how to recognise the signs and physical effects of stress in the body, as well as how to mitigate stressors through time management.
Developing better sleep habits, understanding how diet and exercise impact stress level and strengthening social connections are also embedded in the program.
According to IPC Health, more than a quarter of people in Melbourne’s west have been diagnosed with anxiety or depression, and about 80 per cent of people with a mental health condition also have a physical health issue.
A large part of the philosophy behind Learn to Relax is to empower people to manage their own mental health, and reduce the burden hospitals face from stress-related phenomenon.
According to IPC Health, opportunities for shared learning and discussion help build a supportive and inclusive environment, while providing the chance to hear different perspectives and experiences
It is hoped that participants gain reassurance that others experience similar challenges, and feel less isolated as a result.
The Learn to Relax group was developed on evidence-based health research by the Living Well team at IPC Health in 2014.
The group is well-established and has helped more than 230 clients since it was launched.
