Soon the weather will be changing, the days will be getting longer and we can get out to enjoy the first days of spring.
Make a date to meet friends now at the mall or inside walking track, then when the weather turns nicer you can meet in the park or by the river for a walk and visit.
Physical activity is one of the best gifts you can give to yourself and sharing with others is a great motivator.
We all have a responsibility to take charge of our health, for people with chronic, ongoing conditions this can be stressful and sometimes overwhelming.
Stress can aggravate many health conditions such as heart disease, back and neck pain, and diabetes. Stress can exhaust us, lower our self-esteem and our ability to concentrate.
Lighten up, boost your confidence by registering for a free Take Charge Workshop.
Take Charge is a free six week workshop for people with any ongoing health condition such as low energy arthritis, pain, diabetes, depression, heart disease and stroke.
Participants get a free Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions book.
The group meets for two and half hours to learn to set goals, manage stress and learn relaxation skills. We also talk about healthy food choices.
A health care team is there to help make treatment decisions and to support self-management goals to ensure the participants live life to the fullest with their ongoing health condition.
Family members and caregivers are welcome to register and attend too.
For more information about the Take Charge Workshops visit www.wwselfmanagement.ca or call toll free 1-866 337-3318 or email selfmanagement@langs.org.
This column was submitted by Jayne Giroux, self-management coordinator with the Waterloo Wellington Regional Diabetes Coordination Centre.
