To illustrate how unchecked stress can take a toll on the body, mental health specialist Erica Kramer described a familiar situation busy women can find themselves in.
"Your car is on the 'E' and you keep passing gas stations because you don't want to make the time to stop. Pretty soon you're going to run out of gas," said Kramer, one of the key presenters at Women's Day sponsored by Schuylkill Health -- the system that includes Schuylkill Medical Center-East Norwegian Street, Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street and the other facilities within that setup.
The event was held Saturday at the hospital's School of Nursing, Pottsville.
Kramer said women traditionally take on many roles and responsibilities, which can often lead to stress and burnout if they don't organize their priorities, set limitations and make time to take care of their own emotional and physical needs.
Kramer said unrelieved stress can weaken the immune system, worsen pre-existing health problems, increase chronic pain and cause a multitude of ailments.
"Ladies, we have to take care of our bodies," Kramer said. "If we don't deal with stress, it will find a way out. That's why it's important to find ways to manage stress. Your health depends on it."
Kramer suggested ways to deal with stress: getting proper sleep, daily exercise and proper nutrition, finding a hobby or pastime and talking to and spending time with friends.
According to Debbie Herb, community health awareness and education coordinator for the hospital, the event -- held annually for the past four years ?-- is dedicated solely to women's health issues.
About 100 women attended the free day-long workshop, which included guests speakers, entertainment and yoga and massage sessions.
"It's a day for women to recharge and find out more about how they can take care of themselves -- body, mind, and spirit," Herb said.
Sessions were hosted by area physicians and other health professionals and included information about breast cancer prevention and screening, cardiovascular health, new laser procedures and varicose vein treatment.
Beth Thomas, tech support and customer service supervisor in the hospital's radiology department, presented information about breast health and breast cancer prevention and informed the group about the hospital's reduced cost mammograms, available this month through Schuylkill Health as part of national Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Fitness instructor Michele D'Agostino demonstrated the technique of gentle yoga, which uses deep breathing techniques to relieve stress and tension.
"As we go through our day, experiences stick to us, like dust from the road, causing a tension pattern," she said. "Deep breathing is something you can anytime, anywhere, to relieve stress and tension." To see more of the Republican & Herald or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.republicanherald.com. Copyright (c) 2008, Republican & Herald, Pottsville, Pa. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
Copyright (C) 2008, Republican & Herald, Pottsville, Pa.