“I have chosen to be happy because it is good for my health.” – Voltaire

Nestled in Ward 5 at Northern Hospital Epping is the recently launched Wellness Lounge. This peaceful space with massage chairs and cozy seating is exclusively for those living with cancer; a sanctuary where they reconnect with their body and mind, allowing the outside world to fade away for a little while.

Predominantly a quiet space for patients and carers, the Lounge is also home to the WellAhead program, a holistic wellness program, co–designed with consumers, to support and empower those living with and beyond cancer.

A patient participating in the yoga class had this to say about the Wellness Lounge:

“One of the standout features of this room is its lighting. This gentle illumination helps in calming the mind and enhancing the overall meditative experience. Large windows offer a view of lush greenery outside, allowing participants to connect with nature even while indoors. The sight of plants and trees adds to the tranquil atmosphere. ”

He adds, “The Lounge thoughtfully avoids the intrusion of technology in any form, ensuring a digital detox that is essential for mindfulness and deep meditation. This commitment to maintaining a tech-free space allows practitioners to fully immerse themselves in their practice without the distractions of modern devices.”

The Lounge officially opened on Thursday, 4 July, with staff and donors in attendance.

“This is the first step in our cancer wellbeing journey. It is wonderful to see how a group of committed individuals can make a difference,” said Pina Di Donato, Executive Director, Public Affairs and Foundation, thanking patrons, staff and well-wishers.

“There are so many people to thank, including our amazing donors and the team from Cancer Services, in particular Ed Savill, Thi Nguyen, Andrea Soccio and Mike Masilamani, just to mention a few. The Foundation team is privileged to work alongside our passionate colleagues to bring projects like this to life,” Pina says.

Card games and card making, with Whittlesea U3A: U3A stands for University of the Third Age. Every Wednesday and Friday morning, they will share card games and teach card making and Origami at the Lounge.

Yoga: The yoga class is held at 11 am, every Wednesday, led by Shruti Nagendra. Shruti is a certified Yoga Instructor with over 15 years’ experience, who integrates pranayama (breath control) and meditation techniques in her yoga practice. Shruti says, “The WellAhead Program emphasis on holistic wellbeing, resonates deeply with my professional philosophy and personal values.”

Other activities planned at the Wellness Lounge, include a workshop on Japanese Kumihimo Braiding, Art Therapy and Qigong classes.

Main image shows Thi Nyugen, Josie Minniti (Northern Health Patron), Margie Hill, Trudi Hay (Northern Health Patron), Bev Carman (Northern Health Patron) and Natalia Dewiyani formally launching the Wellness Lounge. 

For more information on the activities of the Wellness Lounge, visit: https://www.nh.org.au/wellahead