Griffin Center in Oxford to host cooking demo on stress-relieving herbs

OXFORD - In recognition of Women’s Health Month, the Griffin Center for Healthy Living Teaching Kitchen will host a free cooking demonstration about the nutritional and stress-relieving benefits of common garden herbs.

Garden Calm & Herbal Stress Relief will be May 21 at 5 p.m. at The Griffin Center for Healthy Living at Quarry Walk, 300 Oxford Road.

Former Executive Director of Massaro Farm and sustainable nutrition expert Caty Poole will discuss spring herbs and how they can be combined into teas and tinctures that can lower blood pressure, detox the liver, help control blood sugar, and contribute to overall stress relief and a person’s level of calm. 

Poole will demonstrate how to make a simple tea blend, and all participants will receive an herbal tincture that can help relieve stress and promote calm.

Space is limited for this event, so registration is required. 

Visit www.griffinhealth.org/garden-calm or call The Griffin Center for Healthy Living coordinator at 203-732-1369 to sign up.

The Griffin Center for Healthy Living Teaching Kitchen is part of Griffin’s commitment to the Planetree person-centered care model, which promotes greater well-being in communities through access to health information and assistance in helping individuals address the social determinants of health such as access to fresh nutritious foods and how to prepare them.

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

Griffin Health in Derby to offer 8-week lifestyle change program

DERBY - Griffin Health is helping individuals make changes for improved wellness in 2026 with its free Highway to Health program this February. 

Highway to Health is an 8-week lifestyle change program designed to empower individuals to take ownership of their health with lifestyle medicine knowledge and skills. 

Lifestyle Medicine is a unique medical specialty that focuses on using evidence-based approaches in healthy eating, managing stress, enhancing regular physical activity and restorative sleep, and fostering meaningful social connections and support systems.

All of these lifestyle factors help prevent and manage chronic conditions to dramatically improve one’s quality of life.

Topics covered in Highway to Health include the principles of exercise, introduction to culinary medicine, mindfulness and behavior change through yoga, sleep hygiene and understanding stress. he program is led by Exercise Physiologist Bern Fitzsimons C-EP and Griffin Center for Healthy Living Director Michael Desjardins and will include trusted information and instruction from Griffin health experts.

The program will be held Wednesdays Feb. 4, 18 and 25, March 4, 18 and 25, and April 1 and 15 from 5-6 p.m. at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave. Space is limited. 

Visit www.griffinhealth.org/highway-to-health to register or call the Griffin Center for Healthy Living Coordinator at 203-732-1369 to sign up or for more information.

This free wellness program is part of Griffin’s commitment to improve community wellness through free education, guidance and assistance in preventing and managing chronic disease. Griffin’s mission is to empower individuals to make choices that change their lifestyles for the better, and to go beyond caring for individuals when they are not well by building a meaningful relationship, guiding, and coaching them to maximize their quality of life.

Opened in 2020, the Griffin Center for Healthy Living is a unique facility in which Griffin Health partners with the community in wellness – offering education, guidance and assistance in preventing and managing chronic disease, and promoting overall well-being. 

The Center is part of Griffin’s mission to empower individuals to make choices that change their lifestyles for the better, and embodies Griffin’s goal to not only care for individuals when they are not well, but to build a meaningful relationship, guide, and coach them to maximize their quality of life. 

Visit griffinhealthyliving.org for more information about the Center's features and upcoming community events.

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to hold free heart health workshop

DERBY - The Griffin Center for Healthy Living will offer a free workshop to help individuals manage heart conditions starting Oct.16.

The Heart Health Workshop is a free, three-week workshop that provides health education on heart disease with an emphasis on the management of hypertension and elevated cholesterol.

The workshop will be held on Thursdays Oct. 16, 23, and 30 from 10-11:30 a.m. at Griffin Hospital.
Based on guidelines by the American Heart Association, this program educates and empowers individuals to care for their hearts through nutrition, exercise, body composition, and stress reduction education. 

Weekly speakers include a certified diabetes care and education specialist.

To register or for more information, visit griffinhealth.org/heart-health-workshop or contact The Griffin Center for Healthy Living Coordinator at 203-732-1369.

This free heart health program is part of Griffin’s commitment to improving the health and well-being of its community through free education, guidance and assistance in preventing and managing chronic disease, and in promoting overall wellness. 

Griffin’s mission is to empower individuals to make choices that change their lifestyles for the better, and to go beyond caring for individuals when they are not well by building a meaningful relationship, guiding, and coaching them to maximize their quality of life.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

 

Griffin Center in Oxford to hold free stress management workshop

OXFORD -The Griffin Center for Healthy Living is helping individuals better understand and cope with the pressures of daily life with a free workshop in February.

Stress can cause or worsen many health disorders, including excessive weight gain, poor sleep, lung and heart conditions, a weakened immune system, reproductive health issues, and skin and hair ailments. 

The Griffin Health Stress Management Workshop provides practical tools and techniques based on the proven, best practices for stress management by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine to help individuals better understand and cope with the pressures of daily life in healthier ways, leading to increased resilience, improved emotional balance, and a better quality of life overall.

Offered on Fridays, Feb. 7, 21, and 28 and March 7 from 1-2 p.m. at the Griffin Center for Health Living, Second Floor, Quarry Walk, 300 Oxford Road, the workshop will teach attendees how to identify stress triggers, practice relaxation exercises, and implement mindfulness strategies to help reduce stress levels and improve both mental and physical well-being.

To register or for more information, visit www.griffinhealth.org/stress-workshop or contact The Griffin Center for Healthy Living Wellness Coordinator at 203-732-1369.

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

Recuperation journey 2.0: Lesson learned

Earlier this week I did a stoopid thing. I almost let myself get scammed by some lowlifes on the Internet.

I accidentally clicked on a link that took me to a page featuring all kinds of scary warnings. I couldn't exit out of the page.

I believed the warnings and immediately called the toll-free number that was now flashing on my desktop screen. It was accompanied by a female voice that was screeching at me about how I had to call said number.

I dialed the number, naively believing that it was legit and I'd get support to fix the problem. Instead I got connected with someone on the other side of the world.

I was so rattled that I didn't realize at the time he and his co-worker were using terms to convince me they were helping me.

For example: 

"Your phone line is not secured; it can be tampered with."

"I'll make a duplicate transaction to confuse hackers."

They kept referring to "hackers," which apparently meant they were referring to themselves.

After a stressful hour on the phone with them I hung up and called my bank. I was advised to close the account, which I did.

The next day I called the bank to make sure there were no unauthorized charges on my account. There weren't any, so I guess I can say all's well that ends well.

That's my public service announcement. I hope it might save someone from the unnecessary stress that I endured.

Griffin Hospital to offer Wellness for Life program in Oxford

Griffin Hospital to offer its lifestyle change program, Wellness for Life, starting March 29./ Contributed photo

OXFORD - Griffin Health is helping individuals get a fresh perspective on well-being with a new session of its Wellness for Life program starting March 29 in Oxford.

Wellness for Life is a 12-week lifestyle change program designed to equip individuals who are ready to take ownership of their health with Lifestyle Medicine knowledge and skills. 

Lifestyle Medicine is a unique medical specialty that focuses on using evidence-based approaches in eating healthfully, managing stress, achieving regular physical activity and restorative sleep, and fostering meaningful social connections and support systems to improve one’s quality of life and prevent and manage chronic conditions.

The Wellness for Life program will be held every Tuesday from 4:30-6 p.m., starting March 29 and concluding June 12 at Griffin’s Center for Healthy Living at Quarry Walk, 300 Oxford Road.

The program offers one-on-one meetings with an internal medicine/preventive medicine physician who has expertise in Lifestyle Medicine, custom fitness evaluation with an exercise physiologist, individual nutritional guidance from a registered dietitian, an activity monitor, and small, interactive health seminars so participants can make and sustain healthy lifestyle habits in their day-to-day lives. 

“At Wellness for Life, you’ll learn about your current habits and really look into how you can build healthy lifestyle habits into your routines and get your family, coworkers, and other loved ones in on your journey,” said Wellness for Life Program Co-Director Dr. Victoria Costales. 

“While this is not easy to do, it’s well worth the effort, time, and creativity. It’s been such a joy to see our participants take a hold of the material, make it a practical part of their lives, and see the great changes in themselves and those they love, live with, and work with.”

Wellness for Life focuses on hands-on learning, individual reflection on Lifestyle Medicine concepts, and weekly group educational and physical activity sessions to help each participant establish healthy lifestyle habits that lead to overall health and well-being as well as prevent and manage chronic conditions.

Since the Program’s inception in 2012, Wellness for Life participants who have incorporated these healthy lifestyle habits into their routines have seen increases in their regular physical activity, healthy eating habits, improved sleep, resilience through stress management, better control of chronic conditions like high blood pressure, and preventing chronic diseases such as diabetes.

For more information about Wellness for Life, visit griffinhealth.org/wellness-for-life or call Center for Healthy Living Coordinator at 203-732-1369 to register.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Learn to live with diabetes at Seymour Community Center

SEYMOUR - Naugatuck Valley Health District has partnered with Griffin Hospital and the Southwestern Connecticut Agency on Aging to offer an in-person session of the popular Live Well with Diabetes workshop for adults in the Valley with diabetes or pre-diabetes or those that care for someone with diabetes.

This program helps them learn new skills to manage their diabetes. 

Once a week for six weeks, two trained Live Well leaders will facilitate the two-hour group sessions at the Seymour Community Center, 20 Pine St.

Participants will learn about healthy eating, high and low blood sugar, being active, sick day guidelines, tips for dealing with stress, foot care, making weekly action plans, and how to set small and achievable goals. Participants will be given at no cost the book Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions, and an exercise CD.

Class size is limited to sixteen participants and pre-registration is required. A new group is starting on Mondays from Sept. 27-Nov. 8 from 1-3 p.m.

To sign up, call 203-888-0406 ext. 1 or visit www.seymourcommunityservices.com.

Live Well is sponsored by The Southwestern Connecticut Area Agency on Aging, State Unit on Aging and Connecticut Department of Public Health through grants from the Administration on Aging and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Live Well with Diabetes is an evidence-based self-management program developed at Stanford University.

This is shared from the Naugatuck Valley Health District Facebook page.

Recuperation journey: It's always something

Not a good place for a vehicle to give out.

Feeling stressed, yet blessed.

With all that is going on in the world I've been feeling stressed - I realize I'm certainly not alone! It has been a wild 11 months.

But knowing I have caring family and friends  makes me feel blessed.

Yesterday afternoon I was driving our wheelchair accessible van on Division Street after filling the gas tank. 

We had just had a new fuel pump installed the day before. I thought all was OK but alas it was far from it. 

The van died as I was about to go over the train tracks. Everything was off so I couldn’t even put on my hazard lights. 

Local readers know just how much non-stop traffic there is on Division Street on a Saturday afternoon! 

I hopped out of the car, not knowing when the train would be coming by. Three guys stopped to help to no avail.

I am grateful I had my phone with me and was able to reach the place where the van was serviced the day before! 

When I told the owner where I was he immediately drove over with the tow truck and rescued my van … and me. 

I’m feeling very blessed that nothing bad happened. It was a little scary but it all worked out. 

Long story short, more work needs to be done on the van Monday. A new alternator perhaps? 

BHcare offers recommendations for handling stress

 This is shared from BHcare's Facebook page.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host free talk on diabetes, fall risk

Griffin Hospital will host a discussion Feb. 11 on diabetes and fall risk./ Contributed photo

DERBY - The Diabetes Education & Support Group at Griffin Hospital will host a free discussion on diabetes and fall risk at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at the hospital.

Studies have shown that older adults diagnosed with diabetes have a higher risk of falling and fall more often. They are also more likely to suffer a serious injury from a fall, including a broken hip.

Lifeline Program Coordinator at Griffin Hospital Vanessa Shimer will talk about why individuals diagnosed with diabetes are at a higher fall risk and what they can do to help protect themselves from debilitating fall injuries.

No registration is required. 

For more information, call Mary Swansiger, 203-732-1137.

The Diabetes Education & Support Group meets September-June on the second Tuesday of each month to discuss the management of diabetes, challenges, and day-to-day dietary concerns. Individuals with diabetes and their caregivers are welcome to attend. 

The support group is part of Griffin’s ongoing effort to transform health care by not only treating illness, but also helping people stay healthy. 

Griffin actively empowers individuals to play an active role in their health and well being by providing them with information, tools and support to prevent, or proactively manage chronic diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, depression and stress.

The hospital is at 130 Division St.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Talk on overcoming stress offered at Griffin Hospital in Derby

Contributed photo

DERBY - The Griffin Health Stroke Support Group will host a discussion on overcoming stress from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Nov. 11 at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital. 

The discussion will cover mindfulness and how attempting to control breathing and to focus on the moment can help manage stress. 

RSVP at 203-732-7445.

The Center for Cancer Care is at 350 Seymour Ave.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

Learn stress-relieving technique at Griffin Hospital in Derby

Contributed photo

The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital will host a talk June 7 about a stress-relieving Emotional Freedom Technique known as “tapping."

DERBY - The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital will host a free talk about a stress-relieving Emotional Freedom Technique at 10:30 a.m. June 7.

Stacey Altomari, a certified EFT Level 1 & 2 practitioner, will discuss how EFT, also known as “tapping,” can help individuals lower stress, and improve focus and sleep. 

EFT is a non-invasive and painless technique that combines acupressure and modern psychology to help a person feel calm and safe.

This program is part of a series of free, educational forums hosted by the Community Health Resource Center in an effort to help improve the health of the community. 

To register or for more information, call Kerry or Deborah at 203-732-7399.

The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital is a traditional library that provides an array of medical and health information, including a large collection of easy to read health and lifestyle related materials. The Center is open to the public to educate themselves on ways to enhance their well-being, prevent illness and play an active role in decisions about their health.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host talk on positive psychology

Griffin Hospital will host a free presentation March 23 about positive thinking./ Submitted photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., will host a free presentation about positive thinking and how it can help individuals cope with life stressors and symptoms of depression at 6 p.m. March 23.

Deborah Ranilla, LCSW, and Emily Medina, LCSW, of the hospital’s Outpatient Psychiatry Department will host “Positive Psychology,” a free discussion on how gratitude, kindness, optimism, self-compassion, forgiveness, and other similar topics can improve well-being and help people live happier and more fulfilling lives.

This talk is part of Griffin Hospital's Healthy U Talks, a series of free wellness talks featuring Griffin Hospital medical experts and community partners providing trusted health information and answers to questions on a wide range of topics.

To reserve your spot or for more information, call 203-732-1511 or visit griffinhealth.org/events.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

Griffin Hospital to host talk about hypnosis

Griffin Hospital will host a free presentation July 21 on how hypnosis can help individuals handle stress. / Contributed photo
DERBY - The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., will host a free educational presentation on hypnosis at 6:30 p.m. July 21.

Ryan Mazurkivich, of Empowering the Mind Hypnosis, will present “Hypnosis for Stress Relief,” a free discussion of how hypnosis works and how it can help decrease stress.

Relieving stress has many health benefits, including keeping individuals from turning to harmful habits to deal with their stress, including smoking, drinking, and overeating.

“Hypnosis is a healthy and effective way to dramatically reduce daily stress,” Mazurkivich said. 

“The process of being hypnotized helps to reduce a person’s stress because it teaches them how to relax and let go of built-up tension.”

In addition, hypnosis can help individuals develop new, healthy responses to stressors, he said.

This program is part of a series of free, educational forums hosted by the Community Health Resource Center in an effort to help improve the health of the community.

To register or for more information, call Kerry or Deborah at 203-732-7399.

The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital is a traditional library that provides an array of medical and health information, including a large collection of easy to read health and lifestyle related materials.

The Center is open to the public to educate themselves on ways to enhance their well-being, prevent illness and play an active role in decisions about their health.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.