Laser Therapy is an accu-pressure point therapy similar to acupuncture but without the dreaded needles. It is a modernized natural approach to help heal the body without the use of drugs. The entire procedure is external, and the laser treatment conducts low energy to accu-pressure points to your ears, face, hands, arm, legs, and feet. The first hurdle in quitting smoking is to get through the nicotine withdrawal phase, which people often dread. The laser treatments significantly reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, so people generally sail through this phase with greater ease and break their nicotine addiction.
Community News
Community Announcement
Emergency Lock Box
Have your ever asked yourself, how could I be rescued if my door was locked? Time is of the essence during a fire or medical emergency. Install a Lock Box – a small weather-resistant metal box that securely holds a set of keys. Should an emergency occur while you are unable to open the door or get out of the residence, Brandon Fires & Emergency Services can access your property without having to break in. Contact Brandon Seniors for Seniors Co-op Inc. for more information.
40th Anniversary Celebrations
We have many exciting activities coming up this year to celebrate our 40th Anniversary at Brandon Seniors for Seniors Co-op Inc. To commemorate we held a High Tea gathering in April and conducted a ceremonial opening of our Patio and Vegetable Garden with a Volunteer Recognition BBQ on June 1st. We recently held our AGM highlighting the successes and a promotional video that was prepared by students from Vincent Massey High School in Brandon. We are planning a Trade Fair, Yard Sale and BBQ for Saturday, August 13, 2022. We are also planning for an Open House coming up in October and the Official 40th Anniversary Celebration in November. Please be watching for these events in our Newsletter, on our bulletin board and on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/brandonsfors
Men’s Club
Did you know that Brandon Seniors for Seniors Co-op Inc. had a Men’s Club? For approximately 2.5 years, the Men’s Club has created a workspace where like-minded men can work shoulder-to-shoulder. Local volunteer men created this club to address a growing need to provide a safe space for men to meet weekly, share ideas, life experiences and provide value to Brandon. If you are interested in becoming a member to participate in workshops, presentations, games, small projects or just a friendly male voice, then please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] or (204) 571-2050. The group meet every Wednesday from 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM at 311 Park Avenue East in Brandon.
TAPS (Technology Access Program for Seniors)
Brandon Seniors for Seniors Co-op Inc. recently concluded the iPad training however we plan to conduct one-on-one technology training over the summer once we have our three (3) students in place. We will continue to host various social workshops at our facility. For more information on upcoming workshops, we suggest following our Facebook page or by emailing us at [email protected] or (204) 571-2050.
Promotional Videos
Brandon Seniors for Seniors Co-op Inc. has worked with the Media Arts students at Vincent Massey High School to create multiple promotional videos. We are excited about these latest videos as they will support our marketing efforts across various media platforms. Please keep a watchful eye as we slowly introduce these videos through our various marketing mediums throughout the year.
Signs of Heat Stroke
As we know, Manitoba summer temperatures can reach 30+ degrees Celsius. This can pose a real problem for young children as well as older adults as their bodies can have trouble compensating to sudden changes in temperatures. Symptoms to monitor for while in the sun are excessive sweating, increased fatigue, altered mental state, slurred speech, weakness, dizziness, headache, or muscle cramps. If you suspect someone is suffering from a heat-related illness, try to get that person into a shaded area or indoors if possible, apply a cool dampened cloth to their head and extremities, and offer chilled fluids if the individual can safely swallow.
Look for Local at Sobeys
Schriemer Family Farm was founded by Trevor & Hendricks Schriemer after they moved to Otterburne, MB in 1999. Trevor’s experience in owning and operating his father’s Fruit Market business gave him an understanding on consumer’s demands, leading him to start a farm. They’re now a multigenerational farm that grows a variety of quality vegetables. You can pick-up their delicious cucumbers and grape and hothouse tomatoes in our Produce Department.
30th Gala Dinner and Dance
The 2022 Gala Committee is pleased to present tickets and sponsorship opportunities available for the 30th Gala Dinner and Dance planned for September 24. The Gala Committee is comprised of a group of community volunteers who have seen many years of success. We hope to continue this successful path with the 2022 event. You can help make that happen! In 2020/21, proceeds of $77,977 were used for the NICU Stay Within Reach Renovation project. Once completed, the renovations will allow parents of NICU babes a comfortable environment to stay while remaining close to their new baby. The proceeds from 2022 will be used for the purchase of much needed equipment at the BRHC.
Community Announcement
MINDFUL RECOVERY
DEFINITION: Maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, through a gentle, nurturing lens.
DID YOU KNOW: Stress is identified as one of the major causes of relapse, as well as inter-personal conflict, and negative emotions. Many treatment centres across North America now incorporate various stress reduction techniques as adjunct therapies, such as yoga and meditation in treating individuals with addiction and mental health problems as well as their families. Many centres also offer the same opportunities to their staff as it is recognized that these techniques when practiced offer increased self-awareness, a renewed spiritual connection, increased creativity, and a decrease in negative emotional responses to life stressors.
FROM A RECOVERY LENS: We all experience the basic human dilemma “that even when we know we are doing something harmful and destructive; we cannot always manage to put that insight into practice.” As individuals in recovery practice the techniques of mindfulness, they experience a growing ability to face life and deal with life deeply and effectively with mindfulness practice. Mindfulness is a natural antidote for many problems involved in addiction, which at its core is a way of avoiding life rather than being aware of it. Mindfulness assists people in recovery to rebuild their lives with greater clarity and experience greater peace and insight.
This includes the awareness that life is limited, and therefore precious, and the choices we make today can limit our choices in future. Mindfulness recovery is getting back in touch with your true nature, and exploring a harmonious path to recovery. Mindfulness provides a gentle way to begin to face the pain and perceptions that has been blunted by addiction and mental health problems, and closing off our emotions. By gaining or regaining our ability to be in touch with the simple pleasures of life, we reduce the need to fill the void with destructive behaviours including drugs and alcohol.
RELAPSE PREVENTION: When we hurry through life, we often miss the simple joys that could give us pleasure. Research supports that the practice of mindfulness reduces stress levels, which is one of the major causes of relapse. As recovery is a process, mindfulness teaches that it is important to maintain a compassionate attitude towards the experience, seeing it in context. It is a learning process rather than the end of the world. Awareness of what triggered the slip allows the person to form a plan to deal with the situation in future, and is helpful, as well as intrinsically healing.
Self Care is NOT Selfish
Rates of occupational burnout are at an ALL TIME HIGH. And while self-care will not solve everything, “whole” modelling – being authentic and vulnerable and adopting a philosophy that ‘you need to be well to do well’ can help. It will help you and inspire your colleagues. The cliché is true – you need to put on your own mask before helping someone else. If your jug is empty, how can you fill someone else’s cup? So, take some time to invest in self-care and celebrate it with others on International Self Care Day on July 24th and beyond.
Human-Focused Initiative
Employee engagement is a driver of a company’s success. Creating a work-life balance is a key factor for great business performance outcomes. A Human Resources Strategy focused on work-life balance is seen as a benefit to individuals and employers. Individuals report increased job satisfaction, a greater sense of job security, better physical and mental health, and reduced levels of job stress. The organization faces less absenteeism/presenteeism, lateness, and staff turnover rates. In addition, there is increased retention of valuable employees, higher employee loyalty and commitment towards the organization, improved productivity and enhanced organizational image as an employer of choice.
Tips to Better Handle Stress
You may be stressed if you experience the following symptoms frequently: Weight loss, sleep disturbances, irritability, anxiety or panic attacks, frustration, low self-esteem, negative self-talk, under-eating, or over-eating. Here are 6 stress-management tips. 1. Identify your stress triggers. 2. Stay away from things and people that trigger your stress. 3. Enjoy two hours of “me time” per day. 4. Meditate and practice deep breathing. 5. Split your “to-do” list with your family. 6. Create a magic “mantra” for yourself. For example, “I am the boss of my life.” Keep repeating it to yourself during stress and continue this exercise until the mantra becomes a part of your reality.
What’s Happening in July
Our on-site classes wrapped up in June but we will have a number of special events during July and August. For example, we have managed to acquire tickets for Folk Fest at Birds Hill Park, July 8th, 2022. A bus will take you out to the Birds Hill festival site for a day of music, food and fun! We will be adding events as they become available so please check our website or call us at 204-416-1067 for details.
Volunteer Opportunities
We currently run our club with one staff member, in addition to our class instructors, so we are extremely grateful and reliant on our member volunteers to help us with running our programs. We are always looking for talented individuals that can share their crafty side for new programming as we develop more activities. Interested in giving back? Whatever your skill or your age, we can find a place for you. To find out how you can help, call 204-416-1067 or email us at [email protected]. Remember we are a club of people that look out for each other, and volunteering is an important way to give back!
