December 11, 2006 Lakeport, CA - Feeling pressed for time? Frazzled? Overwhelmed, tired and feeling the pain?

Are you ready to let it all go and learn a new way of responding to stress? If the answer is yes, then Sutter Lakeside Hospital's Stress Reduction & Relaxation Clinic is the program for you!

Sutter Lakeside Hospital Wellness Center continues to offer the Stress Reduction and Relaxation Clinic on a year round basis. The next session begins on January 9th and ends on March 1st 2007 from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. The sessions are held in the Healing Waters Village Spa in the Family Room.

Based on the University of Massachusetts Medical School Model that has been adopted nationally, participants learn to recognize their current patterns of stress reactiveness and how to interrupt those patterns using the breath and a relaxation technique called mindfulness. In addition, participants learn progressive relaxation and participate in two sessions of gentle movement yoga.

“Research has shown repeatedly that breath and meditation techniques such as mindfulness, not only reduce stress but promote health and well-being”, stated Leslie Lovejoy, Wellness Center Director and program facilitator.

Financial assistance and fee waivers are available to qualifying individuals. To register or for more information call Leslie Lovejoy at the Wellness Center (707) 263- 2998 or e-mail lovejl@sutterhealth.org. Give yourself the gift of stress reduction for a healthier, happier you!

A special message regarding holiday stress

The holidays offer many joys and delights. But the added expectations of the season can cause stress and take a significant toll on sleep. Experts at Sutter Lakeside Hospital and Sutter Health, a family of not-for-profit hospitals, physician organizations and other health care service providers in Northern California, share some tips on how to reduce holiday stress and make this time of year sleep-friendly.

According to Dr. Anne Tait, board certified internist who recently joined the Sutter Lakeside Hospital medical staff team, most holiday stress can be broken down into three key types:

• Biological (eating more food, drinking more alcohol, changes in activity)



• Psychological (anxiety about contact with family, getting the right gift, getting holiday cards out, thoughts about loved ones who are gone)



• Social (increased contact with family and increased spending)

“During this time of year, stress can come from multiple sources which may seriously disrupt sleep for weeks,” said Dr. Tait. “These may include added financial burdens, conflicts in your relationships or even overindulging in holiday food.”

But the holidays don’t have to be stressful and sleep-deprived if you plan ahead.

“Most of us cope quite well with holiday stress,” said Dr. Tait. “While there is probably no way to eliminate stress completely during the holidays, it is possible to achieve a good balance by planning ahead and staying healthy.”

Get a Grip on Holiday Stress

• Eat a balanced and healthy diet – Choosing to eat healthy foods most of the time will provide your body the energy it needs to keep up with the holiday hustle and bustle.



• Exercise – It’s not only a great way to keep the holiday bulge at bay, but also helps increase feelings of contentment and happiness.



• Rest – Getting enough sleep helps your body and mind recharge after a hectic day.



• Delegate tasks – Women especially feel like they have to “do it all” during holidays. It’s an unrealistic expectation. Ask for help if you need it.



• Set priorities and boundaries – You don’t have to do everything or please everyone. Do those things that are most important to you and decline the rest.

For more information, please call Dr. Anne Tait in her new office on the Sutter Lakeside Hospital campus at 5150 Hill Road East, Suite C in Lakeport at 707-263-3520 or Tammi Silva, public relations director for Sutter Lakeside Hospital at 707-262-5122.


About Dr. Anne Tait

Dr. Anne Tait joined Sutter Lakeside Hospital’s medical staff team in November of 2006. She received her MD from the University of Connecticut in 1978. Dr. Tait completed residency and chief residency in Internal Medicine and was Board Certified in 1983. She is also board certified in Emergency Medicine. With an emphasis on preventive care, including exercise, diet/supplements, and quitting smoking, Dr. Tait works in collaboration with her patients to get or stay well. Having practiced for the past 6 years in Eureka, Dr. Tait enjoys the small town atmosphere where running into her patients in the grocery store or gym presents the opportunity to see that she practices what she preaches. Dr. Tait is married to optometrist Dr. Robert Bonner, who practices in Clearlake. They have three grown sons and enjoy hiking, gardening, travel and vegetarian cooking.

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