Stress has become a major health concern in the United States. Change and uncertainty in areas such as the economy, technology, healthcare and personal life are contributing to stressful environments in both the home and the workplace. Excessive stress -- regardless of the source -- is costly to employers because it leads to both absenteeism and presenteeism. Stress costs U.S. employers an estimated $300 billion per year in absenteeism, lower productivity, staff turnover, workers' compensation, medical insurance and other stress-related expenses.

Holistic stress management uses a combination of effective coping skills to resolve issues that can cause perceptions of stress to linger, and sound relaxation techniques to reduce or eliminate the symptoms of stress and return the body to homeostasis. Stress reduction using a holistic approach encourages persons to learn how to respond with empathy and compassion vs. reacting with fear.

Classes are taught by Acadia Hospital Staff Developer and Outreach Educator Becky Bell, MSN, RN, HN-BC. Sessions can range from one hour classes to six hour workshops

and include topics such as: anger management, time management, mind-body relaxation techniques, and understanding stress from a healing perspective.

To schedule a session or learn more contact Becky Bell at 973-6298 or via email at bbell@emh.org.