Wellnessnews, Author at Wellnessnews

Ringing in the Ears

Do you hear noise in your ears that other people can’t hear? Annoying sounds, like ringing, buzzing, whistling, whooshing, or hissing? If so, you are not alone. Over 3 million Canadians suffer from tinnitus – a condition characterized by sounds that originate from within, rather than from outside of, your ears. Tinnitus takes on many forms. The most common “garden-variety” type produces soft-to-loud ringing, humming or rushing water sounds. Tonal tinnitus causes a constant chiming sound, like a musical note played over and over again. Pulsatile tinnitus produces sound that pulsates in time with one’s heartbeat. Mixed tinnitus causes multiple noises to be heard simultaneously. Objective tinnitus is extremely rare, and produces noise heard not only by the affected individual, but by others as well!

Jeff Germain, IslandBeltone.com

Financial Literacy Among Youth

In May of this year, the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada released information advising that Canadian youth (15-yearolds surveyed) are among the world’s top-performing students in terms of financial literacy, according to a report published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). On average, students with a bank account had higher financial literacy than students who didn’t. Four out of five Canadian students said if they did not have enough money to buy something they really wanted, they would either save up to buy it, or would not buy it. Notably, the findings indicated that discussing money matters with parents is associated with higher financial literacy; students who did so once or twice a week scored highest. Bravo, students! Reviewing our finances and discussing them with our significant others puts us in the know with respect to our money, and that’s always a good thing.

Abakhan & Associates Inc., Abakhan.com

The Not-So-Great Outdoors

Many cat owners feel a bit guilty about keeping their cats inside and worry they are depriving them of their natural instincts. If this is you, take comfort in knowing that since cats have been domesticated, it is not essential that they experience the great outdoors to have a healthy life. After all, their wonderful owners provide their food, water, and sleeping quarters! They no longer have to hunt for their supper nor a warm place to curl up for the night. If you allow your cat to experience the outdoors without restrictions, it can be very easy for it to pick up a disease, be exposed to poisonous substances, or get injured by a predator or a vehicle. Playing regularly with your cat and providing it with entertaining toys can easily satisfy your cat’s stalking instinct, keep it stimulated, and provide the exercise it needs to stay purr-fectly healthy and happy!

HappyPaws.ca

Discover Your Self-Confidence

How do you care for yourself when you are uncertain? Some lucky people don’t doubt themselves. But for the rest of us, we can sometimes privately tell ourselves an uncomfortable story about who we really are. Maybe we don’t want to hear this story, but we believe it anyway. For all sorts of reasons, we may feel not good enough, or wonder what is wrong with us. Doubt, self-blame, self-sabotage, anxious behaviour, and lack of confidence can come up. And we may struggle in our relationships to feel heard and valued. You can learn to support yourself through these feelings. Self-confidence arises in part from self-compassion. And self-compassion supports our resilience through difficult life experiences. Counselling can be a safe place to learn this skill, find new ways to appreciate yourself, and rediscover your confidence.

MaryMunro.ca

Pilates – How it Works

Pilates is great for strengthening and toning your core and for increasing your flexibility and posture. These exercises are usually done in a specific order at various levels of difficulty. The moves may look simple but take a lot of precision and control. You can do Pilates on a mat in class, at home, or individually with an instructor. Areas that Pilates targets are your core muscles and legs with focus on stabilizing and strengthening your abdominals and back. It generates flexibility and strength using your own body weight but it is not a cardio workout. Pilates can be very demanding, so start slowly. Instructors do not have to be licensed, so it’s best to get recommendations before selecting one.

Marita Dowsett, B.P.T., Physio4U.net

Benefits of Water Exercise

Summertime offers access to outdoor pools and lakes, which provides a wonderful exercise opportunity. There are numerous benefits to exercising in water, including increased muscle strength, as water provides resistance; low-impact exercise, because the buoyancy of the water lessens the stress on joints; and increased joint flexibility, since swimming and aquacizing require movement in various directions while adjusting to the push and pull of the water. Exercising in water builds cardiovascular stamina, helps burn body fat, increases circulation, and can help rehabilitate and heal muscles and joints. There are as many variations of exercises in the water as there are on land. You can simply swim the old-fashioned way, or you can go vertical with jogging, water aerobics, deep-water running, or water walking forward, backward, and sideways. All of these options work various muscle groups. For a pool/ lake program best suited for you, consult your physiotherapist.

Doug Treloar, Physiotherapist, PhysioFirstClinic.ca

The Not-So-Great Outdoors

Many cat owners feel guilty about keeping their cats inside and worry they are depriving them of natural instincts. Generally speaking, a cat that spends his entire life indoors will live many years longer than a cat restricted to the outdoors. If your cat has indoor/outdoor access, he still faces increased risks to his health and safety. On top of the parasites and potentially fatal diseases it can contract (including feline leukemia and feline AIDS), your outdoor cat is always at risk of being struck by a vehicle. Even the most “street savvy” feline can become distracted while in pursuit of prey or while being chased by another cat or dog. It’s a myth that going outside is a requirement for feline happiness. Playing regularly with cats and providing them with entertaining toys can easily satisfy their stalking instinct, keep them stimulated, and provide the exercise they need to stay healthy and happy.

Rob Lamont, A Pet Lovers Warehouse, Apetlovers.com

Benefits of Tuina Massage

Tuina massage therapy makes use of rhythmic compression techniques in different energy channels of the body to establish a harmonious flow of Qi (bio-energy). Tuina uses various hand techniques in combination with acupressure and other manipulation methods. In Tuina massage, that often focuses on the deeper layer muscle and connective tissues. This massage removes the blockages and keeps the energy moving through the meridians, as well as through the muscles and joints. The best part about it is that it relaxes as well as energizes. Tuina is a very effective therapy for stiff neck, sore back, arthritis, sciatica, and muscle aches and spasms. It also helps with stress-related disorders like insomnia, indigestion, and headaches. It can be used to address both internal illness and muscular injuries. If you’re suffering from a physical ailment or looking for an alternative, holistic approach to overall wellness, Tuina massage may be an effective option.

Dr. Li Lin, Brandon-Acupuncture.com

Natural Bug Deterrents

Our skin is our largest organ and it absorbs 60 percent of what we apply to it. That’s right; whatever you are putting on your skin, your body is absorbing it, right into your bloodstream. Don’t rub it with toxic chemicals to protect yourself from bugs. Look for a natural alternative. There are many different options on the market, and using essential oils is one of them. There are many natural alternatives that use essential oils for everything from mosquito spray to lip balm. Essential oils can deter bugs like mosquitoes just as well as their chemicalladen counterparts, but without the use of harmful chemicals! You may have heard about citronella for mosquitos, but did you know several essential oils can also be effective bug repellants? Clove, rosemary, tea tree, eucalyptus, cedarwood, lavender, geranium, and peppermint are also very effective.

Sylvia Provenski, CanadianMoms.ca

Let Stress Melt Away

Perhaps the most well-known effect of floatation is the reduction in stress from pre- to post-float. But don’t just take our word for it. A 2005 meta-analysis (Dierendonck, 2005) confirmed these findings by studying the effects of floatation REST across 27 studies, with a total of 449 participants. The analysis showed that the impact floatation REST had on physiology, well-being, and performance was significant, and in some cases, it was even more effective than other popular stress management techniques. It also found that healthy people who floated regularly experienced greater benefits the longer they kept up the practice. Float on…

Brad, Float.Calm, FloatCalm.com

Relieve Anxiety with Reflexology

Reflexology is a therapy used to relieve tension and promote wellness. In Reflexology, reflex points on the feet, hands, and head are stimulated by acupressure which in turn reflex to corresponding parts of the body thereby helping to restore its natural energy flow. It also, promotes homeostasis, which is the balancing of a person’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. One of the most common benefits of reflexology therapy is a reduction of stress and anxiety because the hormonal glandular reflex points are activated via acupressure. Additionally, it can help to increase blood flow to the extremities, decrease blood pressure and slow down the heart rate. Reflexology therapy is relaxing and feels soothing and is a natural treatment enhancing well-being in a multifaceted way.

Janice’s Feet First Reflexology