Relaxing in Redcliff

By Justin Seward
Commentator/Courier

Redcliff residents had the opportunity to learn relaxation techniques during the first annual Redcliff Relax and Restore Self Care event to cap off Mental Health Week at Legion Memorial Park on May 12.
Participants could partake in high fitness, tai chai, meditation and yoga throughout the afternoon.
DREAMS (Developing Redcliff Educational and Mental health Supports) program coordinator Jamie Sawatzky said the Redcliff FCSS and DREAMS worked really well together to put on a self care event.
“We wanted to showcase the body, mind and soul,” said Sawatzky.
“We have about eight resources in the community that focus on self care. So a part of that was Nirvana 10, Canadian Mental Health Association and Alberta Health Services, as well as chiropractic and kinesiologies. The biggest thing was exposure because a lot of people, they didn’t know what high fitness is, what is tai chai, what is meditation all about and yoga.”
“It gives people the opportunity to try it out, one stop shop, as well as get the resources that they might not be aware is out there.”
She added that self care can reduce one’s compassion fatigue and to build confidence.
“If self care becomes a chore, then it’s not necessarily self care,” said Sawatzky.
“The key is to keep it simple (and) to schedule time for it. We tell a lot of people that we work with to actually put it in your day timer, even if that is a half an hour of alone time, a half hour reading a book or if it’s 10 minutes. You need to take some time for yourself.”
Frost Getz was in the zone during the meditation session.
“Meditation is good for your body and you should do it a bit more often,” he said.
Tanya Ridgedale, a Prairie Rose School Division liaison worker at Parkside School, said it was a great meditation session with some chatter around so you can be challenge yourself to block out the noise. She said this can benefit students in the classroom.
“What this day is saying is we need to find a balance,” she said.
“We need to do other things to help out mental health and need to be able to exercise. The meditation is a really good thing before exams and the exam stress or if you’re having friendship issues. Even some teachers do do little meditation minutes in the classroom to help the kids with their learning.”

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