Manage Stress Before It Manages You

Feeling stressed out? You’re not alone.

According to the Academy of Family Physicians, more than of the visits to the family doctor are provoked by stress-related symptoms.

In some cases, stress can lead to more serious health problems.

Help is here. Sacred Heart Medical Center’s Health Resource Center will offer an eight-week stress management course, 6 to 8 p.m., beginning Monday, April 10.

The course, taught by Leesa Sjolin and Bruce Spencer, will help identify stressful situations and teach coping methods.

Students will also learn proper relaxation techniques.

The course is $85. For registration information, call the Health Resource Center at 455-3353.

Blood pressure screenings

All this week, starting today, the Inland Northwest Chapter of the American Red Cross will offer free blood pressure screenings at various locations across Spokane.

Here are the following times and locations:

Today: Rosauer’s Pharmacy in Heritage Village, 9414 N. Division, 2-5 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosauer’s Pharmacy in Lincoln Heights, 2610 E. 29th, 2-5 p.m.

Wednesday: Payless Pharmacy in the Valley, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; the Parkade in downtown, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Manito Park, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Franklin Park, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Thursday: Altamont Pharmacy, 10th and Perry, noon-2 p.m.

Workout for Hope

“Workout for Hope,” a national health and fitness event, will be Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Spokane Community College. The event raises money for AIDS and cancer research at the City of Hope National Medical Center in Los Angeles.

During “Workout for Hope,” participators, who pay a minimum of $50 to attend, work out to the latest physical fitness styles and routines. The one- to three-hour workouts aren’t strenuous and participants are encouraged to work at a comfortable pace.

Last year, “Workout for Hope” raised more than $1.4 million.

For registration information, call (800) 934-9196.