DAY to day activities can cause stresses in our lives, but a change in the norm can send a person into a spiral. For Penny Davies, looking after her sick mother who eventually passed away caused her to have high stress levels. It wasn't until she decided to participate in the Mallow Wellness Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction course that she able to get not only get her mental health back on track, but feel an improvement.

"It's been huge I'm much more calm, I take time every day to do some meditation or some yoga or both,” Ms Davies said.

"I take time to do things during the day like if I'm driving I won't listen to the radio any more I do it mindfully instead of distracting myself.

"I take those times to just be with myself and be in the moment and it's made a big difference. It's really shifted things for me.”

Program organiser Helen Ferrier said the eight week program, now funded by the Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN, wasn't just for people with high stress.

"This program is for the well population as a bit of a preventative course for them,” she said.

"It's also for people with early or mild anxiety or depression, but it can also be for people who've had a moderate or a major mental health problem and they've recovered and want something to prevent slipping back.”

She said there has always been a strong focus on good physical health, but practising good mental health was just as important.

"Most people have the capacity within us to have good mental health, but sometimes we need a few clues and processes.”

The program takes 15 people and will run again in September.

Ms Davies said for her the biggest improvement was no longer worrying about the small things.

"You can get really anxious about things but it's a waste of your energy,”

"You don't need to do it.”

If you're interested in the workshop contact wellbeing@mallow.net.au