Community News
The Need for Social Support

Feeling that we belong and that others care about us is important to all of us. People need people. Social support is exactly that: a sense of belonging and the care that we get from others. At uncertain times, it’s critical to identify what we need and to remind ourselves that there are people we can reach out to who can help. Support can be found in different forms such as *providing knowledge or information *bringing a different point of view *emotional support *immediate assistance. Try to identify and connect with people in your life who offer you the social support you need.

Health Benefits of Knitting

Did you know that knitting has mental health benefits? Knitting involves the movement of the hands and fingers. This active finger and wrist movement, dexterity and fine motor coordination can facilitate improvements in other functional skills. Recent studies show that knitting can help with: ▪Lowering blood pressure, ▪Reducing depression and anxiety, ▪Slowing onset of dementia, ▪Distracting from chronic pain, ▪Increasing sense of wellbeing, ▪Reducing loneliness and isolation. Knitting is one of many activities offered and encouraged at Sherwood House.

Progress over Perfection

When it comes to diet plans, missteps are seen as failures or “cheat days” are built-in. While some succeed, this mindset of “be perfect or you’re a failure” can lead to eating disorders, anxiety around food, obsession with healthy foods (orthorexia), and yo-yo dieting patterns. Focusing on progress towards a long-term goal is key. The occasional “missteps” are learning opportunities or simply an enjoyable treat. When progress is the focus, stumbling points along the path are not failures that mean that you have to stop and start again, just lessons.

Holistic Learning Support

Happy Student offers holistic learning support created by a certified and experienced Life Coach & Teacher with an extensive understanding of children’s psychology and mindfulness practices. We offer *Tutoring: Unique programs based on students’ passion and talents. *Summer Forest Camp: A safe place to socialize, practice French, connect to nature and play in a small group setting. *Homeschool Support: Together we create a program that is aligned with each student’s capacity. This results in peace of mind for students & parents ensuring you are on the right track and feeling organized. Please contact us to book a free consultation.

Product Feature: The Abena Difference

Comfort | Dignity | Confidence | Freedom are all qualities of the Abena incontinence management products and are just the tip of the iceberg of what makes them unique. Abena’s product specialists work closely together with nurses to develop products with industry-leading absorbency and specialty features. It has a holistic approach to healthcare that personalizes products to suit your lifestyle. Incontinence care should never be ‘one size fits all’. Abena products are designed with a highly absorbent core, are fully breathable, are guaranteed skin-friendly and are certified eco-friendly. We are pleased to offer Abena incontinence management products.

Manage Pain with Pilates

Kathleen came into Pilates with sore hips from a desk job and a long commute. She had been hesitant to try Pilates because she was self-conscious about her weight and was afraid that Pilates might hurt. Within three sessions, she said ‘This is fun’ and had much less pain and discomfort when walking and standing. Now, Kathleen smokes less, exercises more, has taken up gardening, and is far more confident with herself. She attends two to three Pilates classes a week. Contact Norah to book a private Pilates class. She will adapt Pilates to your needs and help you feel better.

Eye Exams for Seniors

People 65 and older are encouraged to have a comprehensive eye exam at least once a year. Eye exams are so important because, as we age, there is a higher risk of eye disease or other conditions that can impair sight. Many conditions have no symptoms which makes regular eye exams even more critical. Eye conditions or problems that can be detected with an eye exam include: *Presbyopia – decreased ability to focus, *Cataracts – distorted or cloudy vision, *Diabetic Retinopathy, *Macular degeneration – central vision loss and *Glaucoma – the “silent thief of sight.” Schedule your eye exam with us today.

Blooms to Celebrate Easter

Beautiful flowers are always an important part of Easter, as they represent the renewal and rebirth that happens in the spring. Some of the most-loved flowers associated with Easter include: 1) Tulips – colourful and egg-shaped, these fun blooms also represent rebirth. 2) Easter Lily – beautiful white blooms that signify purity and resurrection. 3) Daffodils – often some of the first flowers blooming in spring, they signify the change in season. 4) Easter Cactus – comes in many colours and blooms right around Easter. 5) Crocus – another early bloomer, crocuses are great for joyful celebrations since they symbolize happiness and youth.

Can You Do a Pelvic Tilt?

When people try to do a pelvic tilt, they usually 1) try to suck their abs in like a posing bodybuilder, (2) push their back out like a Halloween cat silhouette, or (3) squeeze their bum forward like a scared dog. Do any of these moves sound athletic? The majority of people cannot perform or sustain a pelvic tilt properly. If you can’t tilt your pelvis, you can become constipated, lose range of hip and shoulder mobility, get bunions (they are not genetic!), lose bladder control, and no matter how many ab exercises you do, your belly will not get smaller. I can help.

Related Fall Risks

In addition to mobility, there are other risk factors that can lead to falling: Sensory Deficits; problems with sensation, whether it be with the eyes, ears or feeling in the feet, can increase your risk of falling. Have your eyesight and hearing checked regularly and talk to your doctor if you’re experiencing numbness in your feet. Low Blood Pressure; when we quickly go from lying or sitting to standing, our blood pressure drops, this can interfere with balance, vision and coordination. If you feel dizzy or lightheaded when standing, sit down until your head clears, stand up slowly and ensure you have good footing before taking a step.

Profile: MEND Mobile Health

Mend is defined as “the act of curing, repairing and reforming”. That is exactly what the health practitioners at MEND can do for you in the comfort of your own home. They are Kinesiologists, Acupuncturists, Athletic Therapists, Exercise Physiologists and Personal Trainers. “Making small changes in your routine can have huge impacts on whole-body health, the healing process and general well-being.” MEND practitioners can help you *Build strength to keep up with the grandkids, * Improve your balance and mobility, * Recover from surgery/injury and *So much more. Contact them today to find out how they can help you Mend.