The Gift of Stress Relief: Real Strategies for Real Relief

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Saturday Dec. 6th 4:00 pm through Sunday Dec 7th 4:00 pm

If the yoke you are bearing and the burden you are carrying is not easy, then maybe it’s not Jesus’s. It may be someone else’s. (Dallas Willard, 2008)

We can all use a little stress relief, especially during the holidays. During this retreat we will explore and practice stress management techniques that address the emotional, cognitive, and action domains of stress management. Emotional regulation strategies include deep breathing, body scan, muscle relaxation, breath prayer, and easy stretches. Strategies to release and change stress-inducing thoughts begins with an understanding of the ways in which self-talk wages war with our true self. Specific strategies include mindfulness meditation and identifying/ challenging/reframing stress inducing thoughts. Action-oriented strategies include goal setting and other problem solving strategies.

We will learn about these strategies in an easy flexible format. During the retreat there will be opportunities for reflection, individual and group sharing, and practice.  We intend that each person will identify several strategies that can be used effectively in daily living after the retreat. This retreat is for anyone who wants to better manage stress in the Kingdom of God.

Requested donation: $80.00 which includes lodging, all meals, and all program materials.

To register: please contact DeBorah Cannady, Guestmaster at Richmond Hill, by email: retreats@richmondhillva.org or at (804) 783-7903.

The primary facilitator is Sandy Gramling, Ph.D., LCP. Sandy is on the staff at Richmond Hill leading retreats and serving as a spiritual director. She is also clinical psychologist on the faculty in the Psychology Department at VCU. At VCU Sandy has been teaching and publishing on Stress and its Management: An Evidence Based Approach for more than 20 years.

Co-facilitator Mimi Weaver is owner of GraceMoves (www.gracemoves.com). She is a certified life coach specializing in midlife transition coaching for women. Mimi is also an experienced spiritual director and enjoys yoga, meditation, dream work and facilitating spiritual retreats, including the First Friday Retreat at Richmond Hill.