Healthy Living for ME has announced the organization’s February schedule of workshops for Mainers.

Available statewide — with in-person, virtual and telephonic options — the workshops address a variety of health needs such as diabetes, arthritis, chronic pain, and many other chronic or ongoing conditions. The workshops are free and low-cost and are open to adult Mainers of all ages.

“Participating in one of Healthy Living for ME’s workshops can be a great way for people to add education, activity, and even socialization to their winter. With virtual and phone options available, people in every corner of Maine have the opportunity to join our workshops,” said Katherine Mills, Healthy Living for ME program coordinator, according to a news release from the organization.

Many workshops are free, while others have a low cost. For virtual workshops, participants who do not have the necessary technology may be eligible to borrow an iPad from Healthy Living for ME in order to participate.

February workshops are as follows.

• Better Health Now with Pain is conducted over the phone. The February session is scheduled to begin Tuesday, Feb. 1. Participants receive a toolkit in the mail and work with a leader either by themselves or in small groups. Topics covered include pacing and planning, medication management, and the Moving Easy Program.

• Living Well for Better Health will have three sessions available. All will be held virtually with weekly classes; the first begins Wednesday, Feb. 2, the second begins Tuesday, Feb. 15, and the third begins Thursday, Feb. 24. The workshop helps participants deal with ongoing conditions such as diabetes, COPD, arthritis and high blood pressure. Topics covered include handling frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation; appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility and endurance; appropriate use of medications; communicating effectively with family, friends and health professionals; nutrition; and evaluating new treatments.

• Tai Chi for Health and Balance will have two sessions available. The first will be held in-person Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Feb. 8 at SeniorsPlus in Lewiston, and the second will be held virtually Mondays and Thursdays beginning Feb. 28. This workshop is focused on practicing Tai Chi, which can help improve balance and health as well as relieve pain.

• Living Well with Chronic Pain will be held virtually on Tuesdays from Feb. 8 through March 15. This workshop is designed for people dealing with persistent issues such as back pain, post-surgical pain, headaches and other ongoing pain. Topics covered include dealing with frustration, fatigue, isolation and poor sleep; appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength; appropriate use of medications; communicating effectively with family, friends and health professionals; nutrition; pacing activity and rest; and evaluating new treatments.

• Better Health Now is conducted over the phone. The February session is scheduled to begin Wednesday, Feb. 9. Participants in this workshop receive a toolkit in the mail and work with a leader either by themselves or in small groups. Topics covered include dealing with frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation; appropriate exercise; appropriate use of medications, communicating effectively with family, friends and health professionals; nutrition; and evaluating new treatments.

• The National Diabetes Prevention Program is conducted virtually and will begin Tuesday, Feb. 22. This is not a diet or exercise class, but a program led by a certified lifestyle coach that provides free health coaching to reduce a person’s risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Participants can learn to apply practical strategies to stay motivated, manage stress, prepare food and avoid negative thoughts. Participants attend 16 weekly sessions followed by every other week sessions for the remainder of the year-long program. Additionally, a registered dietician will be available to support participants of the program.

Healthy Living for ME also welcomes referrals from healthcare providers. Its evidence-based programming can help patients manage and prevent conditions before they become more serious or result in emergency situations.

Registration is required for these workshops. For more information and to register, contact Healthy Living for ME at 800-620-6036 or info@healthylivingforme.org. Those interested can also register via healthylivingforme.org.