How can we better prepare our kids for the future when so many feel anxious, due in part to the lingering effects of the pandemic? Research shows that when we give kids access to opportunities that foster recreation and group engagement, their resilience muscle is strengthened and they feel more optimistic. By investing in the tools and resources kids need to thrive today, we can help the next generation face the future with confidence and compassion. To learn more or to access free SOS programs for children and youth, contact us or come by our Community Services Centre in Parksville or Qualicum Beach.
Community News
Enjoy Summer Heat with Care
Summer temperatures and blue skies entice you to go outdoors, stay active and enjoy your community. Be careful and watch for heat stroke. A rise in core body temperature can have devastating effects. Symptoms include headache, nausea, dry red skin, thirst and dizziness, which can lead to disorientation, vomiting and collapse. To avoid this scenario, stay in cooler places and wear a hat and sun-protective clothing. Cool yourself down with cool cloths on your forehead and the back of your neck. A cool foot bath can help too. Hydrate well and use sunscreen. Enjoy this lovely weather with common sense!
Senior Summer Safety Tips
Skin cancer is one of the most common and preventable forms of cancer. Apply SPF of at least 30 to 50—every two to four hours you are outdoors or riding in a car. Routinely wearing a quality pair of sunglasses protects the eyes from cataracts, a condition common among older adults. Look for a pair with a label showing they block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. As we grow older, the body doesn’t adjust to changes in temperature and humidity as quickly as in younger days. This puts seniors at higher risk for dehydration and sun-related illnesses, like heat stroke – so make sure to keep hydrated!
Safe at Home
There are a variety of products that help you stay mobile and safe in your home. Some of these include: STAIRLIFTS – choose from a variety of stairlifts to suit any type of stairway – straight, curved, split-level, or intermediate landing; fast in-home or virtual consultations available. POWER LIFT RECLINERS – available in a wide range of styles, colours and materials, they help the user lower into and raise from a seated position with ease. GO-GO SCOOTER® & GO CHAIR® – exceptional portability and provide a whole new level of comfort and performance with feather-touch disassembly. Visit us at MOTION™ Nanaimo to find out more.
Quick, Easy Relief from Fear and Anxiety
When in fear and anxiety our physical, emotional and mental experiences are uncomfortable and sometimes scary. These include a pounding heart accompanied with increased blood pressure, tightness in the chest and perhaps feeling trapped when in a panic attack. A simple and effective technique for relief is Straw Breathing. Position your lips as if you have a straw in your mouth. Take a deep breath through your nose. Very slowly exhale through your mouth maintaining the straw position. Repeat a comforting thought, simply, ‘I am safe’, to enhance the therapeutic effect. Repeat 5-6 times.
Stay Safe This Summer
The weather is getting hot and it’s not likely to get cool again anytime soon. Make sure to drink plenty of water; it’s very easy to get dehydrated which can cause fatigue, dizziness and the potential to fall. Wear sunscreen; a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 50 is recommended and it should be re-applied every two hours while outdoors. With the heat comes smoke from wildfires; on days when you smell or see smoke, be sure to stay inside as much as possible. If you must venture outside, consider wearing a face mask. Stay cool!
Fresh Air & Exercise
One of the best things about living on Vancouver Island is having nature right in our backyard. Summer is a great time to take advantage of everything our island has to offer. Whether it is just a walk around the block or a hike up a mountain, the fresh air and exercise boost our well-being. So lace up your shoes and wear VoxxLife socks with HPT for enhanced balance and stability. Additional benefits include; enhanced pain relief and management, especially PDN pain and improved mobility.
Client Testimonial – Body Tempo
“I’ve had such a great experience with Body Tempo. Erin and her team know how to get the best out of you. Last summer I joined before my wedding and surpassed my fitness goals in less than six weeks. The group workouts are so finely tuned, especially for women’s trouble areas and the PTs are attentive and personable. That’s why I’m back again this year. There’s real community here and the owner takes great pride in how she runs her business. The gym is pristine, prices are competitive and the nutrition plans are worth their weight in gold.” Debra, current client.
Health Benefits of Contact with Grandchildren
How close are you to your grandchildren? Are you in regular contact with them? Many do not live close enough to each other to meet in person so it is lucky that technology such as FaceTime, What’s App and Zoom have made it easier to build a relationship with grandchildren from far away. There are health benefits to establishing these relationships. One study published in “The Gerontologist” as well as other studies shows that grandparents who are part of their grandchildren’s lives perform better on cognitive tests and have sharper minds. Many reports feeling younger and being more interested in the world around them.
Safe at Home
There are a variety of products that help you stay mobile and safe in your home. Some of these include: STAIRLIFTS – choose from a variety of stairlifts to suit any type of stairway – straight, curved, split-level, or intermediate landing; fast in-home or virtual consultations available. POWER LIFT RECLINERS – available in a wide range of styles, colours and materials, they help the user lower into and raise from a seated position with ease. GO-GO SCOOTER® & GO CHAIR® – exceptional portability and provide a whole new level of comfort and performance with feather-touch disassembly. Visit us at MOTION™ Nanaimo to find out more.
Gut Health Affects Oral Health
Bacteria travel between the stomach and the mouth. If you have signs of gum disease, cavities, tooth decay and bad breath, then you may have an unhealthy gut flora. You can maintain good oral and gut health by *eating plenty of prebiotic and high fiber foods, *cutting down on sugar intake, *flossing and brushing twice a day for 2 minutes each time and *having at least two professional teeth cleanings per year. Prevention is the key to good health, so sticking to these habits should help keep your teeth healthy for your whole life!
