Valley Health and Fitness is the Cowichan Valley’s complete fitness facility! Originally established as the Body Barn Gym in 1997, Valley Health and Fitness has been serving Cobble Hill and surrounding areas for over 28 years. The facility offers a diverse range of fitness equipment, services and products to help members achieve their fitness goals in a clean, user-friendly facility. Valley Health and Fitness strives to maintain a family-oriented atmosphere where everyone is welcome. Members range from 13 to 90 years of age with various fitness levels from beginners to elite. Check them out today!
Community News
Social Connection for Seniors
Social connection is a vital health priority for seniors, influencing both physical and mental well-being. Regular interaction with family, friends, and community members helps reduce the risk of loneliness, depression, and anxiety. Staying socially active can also support cognitive function and may lower the risk of conditions like dementia. Simple activities such as group exercise, volunteering, or shared hobbies create a sense of purpose and belonging. Strong social ties are linked to better heart health, improved resilience, and longer life expectancy. Prioritizing connection helps seniors maintain independence, confidence, and a higher overall quality of life as they age gracefully.
Reach Your Full Potential
Life presents us with a wide range of challenges, struggles, hurts, and injustices, and it can be described in countless ways. Do you feel as though you have lost your balance, direction, or control? Are you struggling with feelings of insecurity, being misunderstood, or defeat? By combining the principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Hypnosis, you can gain valuable insights and understanding that can help you resolve past issues and realign your coping skills to match your current reality. Within each of us lies the knowledge of how to live our lives as the person we aspire to be.
Aging Well Expo – Wednesday, May 27
Volunteer Cowichan invites you to their annual Expo taking place on May 27 from 10am – 3 pm at the Cowichan Community Centre. Whether you are an older adult, a young adult, a caregiver, or someone interested in learning more about the healthy aging resources available in the community, we encourage you to drop in. Talk with 40+ exhibitors about health & wellness, financial, legal, physical care services and products, and volunteer opportunities. The day features informative presentations and fun activities. FREE admission. Donations are gratefully accepted and go to helping seniors in our community. Exhibitor interest? Contact [email protected]
Maintain & Replace Dentures Regularly
Recent research (2025–2026) indicates that acrylic resin dentures release microplastics (MPs) into the mouth during daily cleaning, brushing, and eating. The quantities during normal wear are relatively low. While this exposure is currently considered minimal compared to other environmental sources, denture wearers should follow professional recommendations to maintain and replace dentures regularly to help prevent excessive wear and material degradation. I recommend: avoid overly aggressive brushing, ensure regular repair, maintenance and replacement of the dentures to help reduce the rate of material degradation and subsequent particle release. Call Accura Denture Clinic for all your denture needs.
Conditions Affected by Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is connected to many other health conditions of the body. While hearing loss may not be the cause of these diseases or conditions, it is considered a risk factor for many. *Tinnitus refers to the sensation of perceiving sounds that have no external source. In other words, hearing sounds that are not there. *Meniere’s disease is a chronic inner ear disorder that causes recurring episodes of severe dizziness (vertigo), ear pressure, tinnitus, and hearing loss. It typically affects one ear. *Research also suggests that untreated hearing loss may contribute to cognitive decline and dementia. Addressing hearing changes early and seeking appropriate treatment can play an important role in maintaining overall health and well-being.
Caring for Your House’s Exterior
On Vancouver Island, you might be surprised to find that moss, lichen, and gloeocapsa magma (which causes black staining or streaking) on your roof are quite common. Unfortunately, many companies remove these materials improperly, using metal wire brushes that can leave your roof in worse condition than before.
At 123 Exteriors, we take a gentler, contactless approach that effectively removes moss in one simple treatment without causing any damage.
We are a small, friendly local company committed to our work. In addition to moss removal, we also offer window washing, power washing, and gutter cleaning—everything your home’s exterior needs, provided by people you can trust.
Make life easier—call 123 Exteriors!
Allergy Season is Here
Are you coughing and sneezing? Are your eyes red, runny, and itchy? You could be suffering from seasonal allergies. If you are feeling miserable, it is best to rule out something more serious with a medical professional. Allergies in spring can be triggered by pollen or mites. Here are some preventative measures: *Check the weather forecast for pollen counts before going outside. *Avoid the outdoors early in the morning or if it is very windy.*Clean your house to get rid of dust and mites. Over-the-counter remedies can be effective for symptoms if they persist.
Testimonial: Avee Health & Medicine Shoppe
“I had a non-emergency condition that required quick medical attention. I saw a pamphlet for a partnership between Avee Health and the Medicine Shoppe stating that I could access a doctor fast. I called the Medicine Shoppe and they told me that a BC trained physician would call me within 30 minutes. The call came in 20 minutes; I described my condition; the doctor diagnosed it and sent a prescription to the Medicine Shoppe for me to pick up or have delivered free of charge. The prescription was ready for me in under an hour. I highly recommend this amazing service.”
May Trivia
.1 What is the name of the “feel-good” hormone released during exercise? 2. How many times per minute does a person typically blink? 3. Which vitamin is essential for calcium absorption in the gut?
Rewiring Pain: A New Perspective
What if pain isn’t just about injured tissues, but how the brain interprets signals? Emerging science shows that pain is shaped by the brain and nervous system, not just the body. Persistent pain can continue even after healing, as the brain develops protective patterns that keep signalling discomfort. Neuromovement® offers a different approach. Rather than focusing on fixing the body, it works with the brain’s ability to change—known as neuroplasticity—to create new, more efficient patterns. This reframes pain from something “broken” to something changeable, opening the door to reduced pain, improved movement, and greater ease in daily life.
