Saturdays, November 9-30, 10-4 p.m. The Christmas Craft and Market Sales let local craftspeople showcase their handmade crafts, art and foods. It’s a fantastic time to come out and purchase that unique, handmade gift you’re looking for this season. Admission is free, but a donation to the Red Deer Food Bank is appreciated.
Community News
Journeying through Grief
Grief and loss are often top reasons why individuals seek help from mental health counsellors. Red Deer Primary Care Network developed a group program for anyone experiencing the loss, whether it be from the loss of a loved one, pet, employment, divorce or other life changing event. Participants learn ways to explore grief needs, deepen their emotional healing, and reinvest in life. Recent evaluation results from the 8-week “Journeying through Grief” program show participants report the intensity of grief decreased by 40%, while their confidence in their ability to cope increased by 68%. Call 403-343-9100 to register.
Setting Healthy Boundaries at Work
Occupational burnout has been defined as a recognizable syndrome by the World Health Organization. Burnout results in physical and mental fatigue, poor productivity and overall health. Employers and employees need to set healthy boundaries to create healthy, high performing workplaces. Here are some great ways to prevent burnout: Nourish a safe culture making it ok to admit if the workload is too high. Compromise and negotiate workload. Delegate. Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize. Create a ‘not-to-do’ list. Take breaks. Practice mindfulness. Practice saying no. Offer flexibility or telecommuting options Find more workplace wellness tips at WellnessWorksCanada.ca.
Releasing Fears with EFT/Tapping
Emotional freedom technique (EFT), or tapping, is very effective for releasing fears. Marnel Hesterman, Emotional Wellness Specialist with Incite Inspirations, has personally used it to eliminate some of the fears that were limiting her life experiences. She now enjoys flying in four-seater planes, large planes as well as helicopters, where before she would be physically ill. She used it to release her fear of heights which enabled her to check zip-lining and parasailing off her bucket list. And where she would be almost frozen with fear prior to EFT/Tapping, Marnel is now able to speak in front of groups!
Benefits of Bracing
There are many populations who can prosper while using a brace. Some functional uses for bracing include: preventing injuries, managing ligament injuries and dislocations, managing swelling related to injuries and reducing the painful effects of injuries. They are often used by people after injuries or during risky or painful activities. Braces also help to mitigate the chance of re-injury when we are attempting to heal and regain strength and stability in an area. Often braces are covered by your extended health benefits with a prescription from your Doctor. Stride Physiotherapy & Wellness, StridePhysiotherapy.ca
Smart in Everything but Reading?
Children who are considered bright underachievers often have vision problems that make reading difficult. Sometimes they’re described as auditory learners because they can remember things they’ve heard much faster and easier than anything they’ve read. A clear sign that a vision problem may be at the root of your child’s difficulties is poor performance on written or standardized tests. It may surprise you to learn that many children who have vision problems interfering with learning actually have 20/20 eyesight (with or without glasses). A Developmental Vision Evaluation is needed to determine if a vision problem is interfering with reading.
Special Care for Senior Pets
November is Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month, and those with senior pets know that they offer unique benefits and lots of love. As pets age, they need our care even more, with regular veterinary checkups and a focus on dental health to avoid periodontal disease and other associated health problems. When you’re away from home, use only a professional pet sitter experienced in caring for senior pets. Pet owners should inquire about a potential pet sitter’s experience with senior pets and any specific training they’ve had, such as Pet First Aid & a Certificate in Professional Pet Sitting Program.
Stop the Cycle of Oxidation
Antioxidants in foods have the unique ability to donate an electron and transform the free radical back into a stable atom. However, antioxidants all suffer from one drawback. By donating an electron to neutralize a free radical, it becomes a new free radical itself, thus contributing to the never-ending cycle of oxidation, illness, disease and death! The solution to this problem turned out to be as simple as drinking a glass of water. But not just any water. It must be high quality ionized water with abundance of FREE electrons. Free electrons are the ONLY antioxidant that can stabilize a free radical and STOP the cycle of oxidation.
Seniors’ Nutrition
As people age, proper nutrition can become a challenge. For example, seniors may have smaller appetites, making it difficult to eat enough to ensure good nutrition. They may also have health conditions that change their sense of taste or smell, making some foods unappealing. In addition, seniors who once cooked big, healthy meals for family can find themselves uninspired by the thought of cooking for one or two. But good nutrition is important at every stage of life. Seniors should focus on eating a variety of foods, particularly fruits and vegetables, with some whole grains and protein to help ensure they are getting the nutrients they need.
Community Spotlight: Blossoms Senior Care
Locally owned and run, Blossoms Senior Care is a senior home care provider with over 35 years of experience. They offer a wide range of services for older adults who are no longer able to care for themselves and do not wish to leave their homes. Having the ability to stay at home lets individuals retain independence, pride, and self-esteem. Blossoms Senior Care has highly qualified and trained caregivers/healthcare aides who are ready to help you and your loved ones with a variety of daily activities such as companionship, housekeeping, meal planning, medication reminders, personal care, respite care and scheduling and attending doctors’ appointments.
The Science Behind Acupuncture
What does science have to say about acupuncture? In a 2012 publication of Jama/Internal Medicine, a meta-analysis of nearly 18,000 randomized patients provided the most robust evidence to date that acupuncture is a reasonable referral option for patients with chronic pain like non-specific back or neck pain, shoulder pain, chronic headache, musculoskeletal disorders, and osteoarthritis. Another study published in a 2013 issue of The Clinical Journal of Pain involving 1,139 patients showed that acupuncture may be more effective than medication for symptom improvement in lower back pain. Acupuncture is a safe and effective therapy when performed by a certified acupuncturist.
