Community News
Essential Oils for Wellness

Essential oils are a wonderful addition to your wellness arsenal. They help clean the air and make a space more enjoyable, aid in calming or energizing (depending on the oil and your disposition) and improve your mood. They can be used topically for pain or other ailments and for many other health applications. A great way to diffuse oil into the air in any room is with a plug-in essential oil diffuser. Just pick your favourite essential oil or combination scent; it is easy to mix it up. Diffusers make great gifts. Have fun and be well.

Let’s Celebrate Aging!

We often hear the negative about seniors in our society, rather than celebrating them. Seniors offer wisdom and life experience integral to the fabric of a vibrant community. They contribute by shopping, using services (keeping people employed), and paying taxes. Seniors volunteer and make more charitable donations than any other age groups do. Many organizations could not function without them. Additionally, they help with babysitting and caregiving for spouses and friends, ultimately helping others to successfully “age in place”. Take the time to acknowledge the contributions made by seniors. By making our community more age-friendly, we can all play a role in inspiring more intergenerational understanding and connection.

Benefits of Walking Poles

Nordic pole walking, developed in Finland in the 1990s, is now one of the most popular types of exercise for seniors. Walking poles used in pairs, help maintain the right balance and rhythm while walking. They are useful in reducing the risk of tripping, sliding and stumbling over small hazards and on uneven terrain. The benefits of urban pole walking, especially for seniors includes improved endurance, heart health, blood flow, strength, and resting metabolic rate. For people recovering from surgery or anyone with balance issues, pole walking can help you get moving again. Want to learn more about Walking Poles? Come for a free Walking Pole Seminar.

The Law of Attraction

Do you attract negative emotions, people, and events into your life? The Law of Attraction (LOA) states that the vibe you give out is the vibe you get back. If you are having negative feelings, you attract negative emotions, people and events. When you have positive feelings, then you attract positive emotions, people and events into your life. A Certified Body/Emotion Code Practitioner can help you release your negative feelings or unprocessed negative (trapped) emotions. This will help you attract positive vibrations and live a more joyful life. Complimentary consultations are available. Contact for details.

S.O.S – Christmas Program 2020

Christmas will look different this year for many families. The SOS Caring for Community at Christmas program will continue to help local families and individuals as it has done for more than 50 years, with community support. “We want to make sure that all local children and youth find a special gift under the tree, and we know many families and individuals will need help putting food in the cupboard over the holidays,” says SOS Christmas program coordinator, April Deleau. Please visit the SOS website to make a financial donation and to find gift drop-off times for the SOS Toy Shop.

Tips for Fall Prevention

November is Falls Prevention month. Falls are a real concern for older adults. The following tips can reduce your risk:*Get regular exercise and physical activity. *Have your medications reviewed by a physician or pharmacist as some medication combinations can cause dizziness that leads to falling. *Have your vision and hearing checked regularly. Poor vision and hearing are linked to increased risk of falls. *Make your home safer – remove tripping hazards, improve lighting and keep important items within reach. In the event that a fall happens, getting help quickly is important. Lifeline’s Auto Alert button provides help 24/7 and automatically detects falls.

Gambling Support Available 24/7

Covid 19 continues to disrupt our routines. BC casinos and gaming centres remain closed as per public health order closures. Consequently, online gambling platforms have experienced an increase in play. This shift may worsen risk factors including social isolation and increased substance use as well as an increase in use of credit to gamble. The Responsible & Problem Gambling Program remains committed to serving the people of BC 24/7. Our support services include outreach, education, and counselling services by phone, text, web chat, or in person, all of which are FREE of charge. We’re here for you, should gambling take a harmful turn.

A Toy for Every Child this Christmas

Since 1982, The Great Nanaimo Toy Drive has been making sure that every child in Nanaimo has a new toy to unwrap on Christmas morning. With Covid-19, this year is a little more challenging but individuals, families, groups and businesses in Nanaimo, with the help of over 100 volunteers, will make it happen. You can help by purchasing a toy or gift (no stuffies or electronics due to Covid regulations) for a child aged newborn to 16 and dropping it at one of the many drop off locations listed on their website. Financial donations can be made through Canada Helps.

Drop-in Activity Sessions Now Available

Have you been missing your aquafit, length swimming, skating, working out in the gym or playing a game of badminton at Oliver Woods? Parks, Recreation and Culture is again offering a variety of drop-in sessions after shutting down due to the pandemic. Pre-register (up to 72 hours in advance) for your swimming, skating, weight room, gymnasium sports and pottery sessions by going online to recreation.nanaimo.ca or by calling us at 250-756-5200. Schedules for these activities are available in PDF format on our website. We are happy to welcome you back and hope to see you soon!

Final Resting Place

With all that is happening in the world today, we may find ourselves thinking about our final plans. When you die, where would you like your final resting place to be? With your partner? With your parents or children? If you are like most, you have not yet made up your mind. This is a conversation that should take place sooner rather than later. If your plans have been made, you want to ensure that they are up-to-date. These days, many Canadians are moving farther away, living longer and changing family traditions. This reinforces the need to review and update your end-of-life plans every five-to-ten years or so, or when major life events happen.

Gambling Support Available 24/7

Covid 19 continues to disrupt our routines. BC casinos and gaming centres remain closed as per public health order closures. Consequently, online gambling platforms have experienced an increase in play. This shift may worsen risk factors including social isolation and increased substance use as well as an increase in use of credit to gamble. The Responsible & Problem Gambling Program remains committed to serving the people of BC 24/7. Our support services include outreach, education, and counselling services by phone, text, web chat, or in person, all of which are FREE of charge. We’re here for you, should gambling take a harmful turn.