September 15, 2008 - Laugh off stress with Douglas College this fall

Tri-Cities residents will get the chance to discover some new and unusual stress-reduction techniques thanks to a series of free community workshops at Douglas College this fall.

The workshops, organized by Therapeutic Recreation instructor Julie Roper, will cover a variety of techniques to relieve stress, including laugh therapy.

"Laughing and playing is good for you," says Roper. "When people have a really good laugh, they feel better."

Laughter is just one of several techniques Roper plans to demonstrate. The workshops, which run every Friday throughout October and November, will cover eight other methods like therapeutic breathing and nutrition.

All the techniques fall under the whole-body approach to health, says Roper.

"We now know that there's a direct link between thinking and feeling," says Roper. "And how you feel is often how you see things. It's all based on living healthier, having a better quality of life."

Roper emphasized that although they do have a large spiritual component, the techniques she's chosen are all based on science.

"Everything is researched and reliable," she says. "Research has shown that stress is correlated with all major chronic illnesses. It makes the immune system weaker."

The workshops will be led by Roper's third-year Therapeutic Recreation students, as part of their Health Promotion course.

Besides the positive health benefits, Roper is also hoping that the workshops will give the community the chance to take a look at the brand new Douglas College Health Sciences Centre. The $39.3 million building features the latest in health education technology.

"We're really encouraging the college community to come out," she says. "You don't have to come to all of them -- come to one, come to two!"

All workshops are free and will take place Fridays at 12pm in Room C1025 at the Douglas College Centre for Health and Community Partnerships, 1250 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam, starting on October 3.