For most of her life, Doris did not worry much about her health. Then at 67, she was diagnosed with diabetes and high blood pressure. She tried to follow her doctor’s advice to take her medications, exercise and eat better. But often she was tired and even a little depressed. She figured it was just part of getting older.

Then a friend told Doris about the Living Well with Chronic Conditions Workshop-six weekly sessions at the UT Extension-Bradley County office. Developed at Stanford University, the workshop has been offered at hundreds of locations throughout the United States.

It helps participants with ongoing health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, heart disease and others to:

— Find better ways of dealing with pain and fatigue.

— Discover easy exercises to help improve or maintain strength and energy.

— Improve nutrition.

— Talk effectively with family, friends and health professionals.

— Understand new treatment choices.

— Feel better about life.

“I now have a new sense of being in control,” said Doris. “The workshop has helped me put life back in my life.”

Taught by specially trained volunteer leaders, some who have health conditions themselves, the program covers a new topic each week and provides opportunities for interaction and group problem solving.

The next Living Well with Chronic Conditions will be on Mondays beginning Feb. 20 and continue Feb. 27 and March 5, 12, 19 and 26 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the UT Extension-Bradley County office at 95 Church St. S.E., Cleveland.

Instructors will be Kaye M. Smith and Robin Ramsey. For more information or to enroll in the Living Well with Chronic Conditions, call the UT Extension-Bradley County office at 728-7001 or check out the website at utextension.tennessee.edu/bradley.