Stress is something that most people deal with on a regular basis. But this is doubly true for those undergoing cancer treatments and their caregivers. As part of our outreach work, SHAREing & CAREing gives regular health and wellness talks at various branches of the Queens Public Library, with stress management being our latest topic.

SHAREing & CAREing Program Manager Merryl Reichbach presented a Stress Management Workshop on May 19 at the Elmhurst Branch of the Queens Public Library and on May 22 at the Rochdale Branch of the Queens Public Library. The program leader opened the workshop with a description and bilingual program brochure of SHAREing & CAREing and the variety of services we provide, including free counseling and linkages to low-cost and free healthcare screenings regardless of insurance status and immigration status.

The classes were provided with information about stress and how stress impacts us both positively and negatively. Discussion focused on how to recognize personal stressors and gauge their impact, as well as how to reduce stress.

Participants at our Elmhurst workshop were enrollees in the TESOL program intermediate/advanced classes as well as members of the community, including two people coping with cancer. Participants ranged in age from young adult to elderly. Students practiced their English language skills by reading sections of the handout out loud, asking questions, answering questions and learning new vocabulary words. Participants openly acknowledged the stressors in their lives including concerns about their country of origin and the safety of family members still living there, parenting children in an unfamiliar culture, finding employment and coping with chronic illnesses including cancer. The students appreciated having an opportunity to discuss their stressors and to learn new strategies and resources available to them that were presented in the workshop.

Participants at our Rochdale workshop were enrollees in the Adult Learning Center who are preparing to take the TASC (high school equivalency) exam. Discussion focused on how to recognize personal stressors and gauge their impact, as well as how to reduce stress using easy stretching, meditation, guided imagery and cognitive strategies. Participants openly acknowledged the stressors in their lives including financial struggles and unemployment, managing stressful relationships with partners and children and coping with chronic illnesses. The students appreciated having an opportunity to discuss their stressors and to learn new strategies and resources.

As part of our outreach mission, SHAREing & CAREing holds cancer and general health and wellness workshops throughout the Queens community. If your organization or group is interested in hosting one of our Lunch-and-Learns or our Be A Friend To Your Mother school workshops, contact us today!