For Hub City Times

MARSHFIELD — Marshfield Clinic is offering a series of free training sessions to help adult cancer patients in active or post-treatment manage stress and promote relaxation.

Stress Management and Relaxation Training for Cancer Patients (SMART) is offered 5:30-7 p.m. Mondays, April 18-May 23. The sessions, facilitated by Clinical Psychologist Jennifer Michels, will be held in the clinic’s lower level conference room 207.

SMART participants will learn skills to enhance awareness and control thought patterns along with strategies to promote relaxation and improve well-being. Instruction will focus on:

—Understanding the stress response.

—Taking control of your thought processes.

—Improving positive coping strategies and self-advocacy.

—Mindfulness and meditation practices.

—Deep breathing and other relaxation strategies.

“We are trying to encourage ‘self-care time,’ which helps them focus on their mental and physical wellness,” said Mindy Gribble, R.N., oncology survivorship program coordinator. “This will pay big dividends for them and their loved ones.”

Registration is required. Call Vicki at 715-387-9005 to register. Space is limited to 20 participants.