Developed by the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, the Stress Management and Resiliency Training (SMART) program helps participants achieve greater quality of life and an enhanced sense of well-being. Participants learn and practice research-supported self-care practices based on mind-body medicine to consciously bring about the relaxation response and increase resiliency leading to enhanced health and symptom reduction.

Many of the physical and mental health concerns we experience, such as headaches, gastrointestinal disorders, autoimmune disorders, anxiety, depression and insomnia are exacerbated by stress. Develop tools to become less emotionally and physically vulnerable to stress. SMART is offered in a group format, two hours per week, for eight weeks. There are also two optional individual appointments in which participants can work with the instructor to develop their own resiliency and lifestyle goals (individual appointments are reimbursable by most insurance companies).

During each class, learn new ways of initiating the relaxation response based on different meditation techniques and have opportunities for home practice. Participants identify their own stress warning signs and how to buffer stress by practicing resiliency tools from positive psychology and cognitive behavioral psychology. The importance of healthy eating, physical activity, restorative sleep and social connectedness for stress reduction are also explored in the group setting, and participants can use the two optional individual appointments to develop their own lifestyle goals. Space is limited.