Feeling Stressed? Get Stress Busting!

Residents are invited to attend a free event to learn more about how they can reduce the stress in their lives.

Experiencing stress can impact our lives, mental, and physical wellbeing in more ways than you might think. According to the NHS, stress can impact our emotions: making us feel worried, irritable, or overwhelmed, our physical health: potentially causing stomach issues and headaches, and our lifestyles: influencing how much we eat and our ability to maintain healthy habits.

However, there are simple steps which can be taken to mitigate some of the effects stress might be having on your life. Come along to a free Stress Awareness Event hosted by Rubicon Leisure in partnership with Redditch Borough Council to find out how you could reduce the level of stress in your life.

The event will be held on Friday the 12^th of April at The Boathouse Café in the Arrow Valley Visitor Centre between 12 noon and 2pm. It is free to attend, so do come along and pop in.

Sports Development Officer at Redditch Borough Council, Hayley Gwilliam, said: “I’m really pleased to not only have partnered with Rubicon Leisure and the team at Abbey Stadium to deliver this event but to also be attending to provide advice connecting people to support for their mental health, wellbeing, and physical health.”

There will be the chance to talk to a range of professionals. The team at Reimagine Redditch will be offering advice on how to use creativity for increased wellbeing. A Dementia Wellbeing Service Advisor will be offering support for those experiencing increased stress due to living with or caring for someone with Dementia. Community Mental Wellbeing Programme Ahead of Wellbeing will be offering guidance on how to incorporate meditation into your stress busting routine.

Managing Director of Rubicon Leisure, Ben Clawson-Chan, said: “At Rubicon Leisure, our mission is to help our local communities in Redditch live healthier and happier lives. This includes mental health as well as physical health. Therefore, being able to facilitate days like this, which offer advice and support to help our community reduce stress, is of utmost importance to us. We are proud to collaborate with Redditch Borough Council on this and to host the event at the Boathouse Café, offer free class passes at Abbey Stadium, and provide wellbeing sessions at our four community centres across Redditch.”

Exercise is a key way to reduce stress, as part of Stress Awareness Week the Abbey Stadium and the Sports Development Team at Redditch Borough Council have teamed up to offer residents the opportunity to try a range of fitness classes for free between Monday 15^th April and Sunday 21^st of April.

• **Active Seniors: Monday 15^th, 10.30am @ Oakenshaw Community Centre
• Body Combat: Monday 15^th, 7.05pm @ Abbey Stadium
• **Tai Chi: Tuesday 16^th, 12pm @ The Bridge Community Hall
• BoxFit: Tuesday 16^th, 6.30pm @ Abbey Stadium
• **Gentle Exercise: Wednesday 17^th, 10am @ The Ecumenical Centre
• Walking Netball: Wednesday 17^th, 10.30am @ Abbey Stadium
• **Living Lung: Thursday 18^th, 12pm @ Windmill Community Centre
• AREA7 Bootcamp: Thursday 18^th, 7ppm @ Abbey Stadium
• **Take Notice Walk: Friday 19^th, 11am @ Starting at the Abbey Stadium
• Meditation: Friday 19^th, 12.30pm @ Abbey Stadium
• Tai Chi: Friday 19^th, 1pm @ Abbey Stadium
• Body Combat: Saturday 20^th, 10.30am @ Abbey Stadium
• Zumba: Sunday 21^st, 9am @ Abbey Stadium

Free classes marked ** can be booked by contacting Hayley Gwilliam.

 All other classes can be booked by contacting the Abbey Stadium