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.
Community News
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.
Community Profile – CBI Home Health
Get the care you need, when and where you need it, with homemaking help from CBI Home Health. The patient’s environment can make a big difference in helping to ensure improved health outcomes — with optimal independence leading to optimal results. We work with individuals of all ages and abilities in their most appropriate residential setting. Whether it’s in your home, an assisted-living facility or a long-term care environment, we provide the homemaking help you and your loved ones may need. That includes help with light housekeeping and meal preparation; the everyday tasks that make all the difference to your comfort, wellbeing and the smooth running of your household.
Laser Therapy to Quit Smoking
The first hurdle in quitting smoking is to get through the nicotine withdrawal phase, which people often dread. Our laser treatments significantly reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, so people generally sail through this phase with greater ease. We apply a painless beam of cold laser therapy to specific acupuncture points on the ears, face, hands and feet. On a chemical level, cravings are a desire for endorphins and dopamine that used to be released by smoking. Laser acupuncture lets the body release those chemicals naturally, eliminating the physical need to smoke immediately.
Trust your Gut
Your immune system works hard to protect you from injury, illness, and disease. This process usually involves inflammation, a natural response to stress, tissue damage, and harmful stimuli like viruses, bacteria, and toxins. Inflammation functions similarly to an engine warning light, alerting you to the presence of a problem through symptoms such as heat, pain, redness, swelling, and/or loss of function. 85% of the immune system is located in our gut. An anti-inflammatory diet rich in vitamins A, C, and E and the mineral selenium provides your gut with the ingredients it needs to bolster immunity and achieve optimal mental and physical health.
Stay Fit & Healthy This Winter
Winter is upon us! This is not the time to hibernate and pack on extra weight or overindulge, it’s a time to stay focused and committed to taking care of our bodies during a harsh northern season. Now is the perfect time to start a challenging and effective exercise program that you can do all while in the warmth and comfort of your own home! Once you get in the groove of an effective exercise program at home, you’ll have the right tools and mindset to get (and stay) in peak shape over the cold winter months. After all, a ‘summer body’ is made in the winter!
Product Review: SOLBRÜ Restore
Solbrü Restore is a sophisticated, modern elixir, made in Winnipeg with a blend of balancing herbs and functional mushrooms, inspired by ancient herbal remedies for detox and liver support. It’s a delicious alcohol-free, small-batch infusion that can be enjoyed as a shot, on the rocks, in an alcohol-free cocktail, mixed with nut or oat milk, or juice. These functional mushrooms and herbs contain phytonutrients that can decrease the effects of stress and support liver function, digestion, and immunity, all in a great-tasting elixir that includes notes of ginger, orange, apricot, and spices. 2 new flavours coming soon!
Stress Management Coaching
Stress and anxiety can impact us in many ways, emotionally, mentally, and physically. High-performing individuals often find themselves having trouble sleeping, experiencing high blood pressure, or becoming easily distracted. You may be feeling fatigued, depressed and not like the energetic and ambitious person you used to be. If this sounds like you, you might be overwhelmed by stressors that stem from your career or other areas of your life. If you are feeling overwhelmed and under major pressure, a stress management consultant can help you take back control, offering personalized support and coaching to control your triggers and manage how you react to stress.
What’s Happening in my Carpet?
Mold and bacteria can settle deep into carpet fibers. These biological microbes are alive and thriving, and if your carpet remains dirty, they will continue to grow. Did you know that conventional shampooing methods will cause re-soiling due to lack of rinsing and extraction of the chemicals used? Spots and stains will resurface because they were only pushed a little deeper. Sand, dust and other particles that get embedded in your carpet will cause abrasion of the fibers, making the carpet look dull. Light no longer reflects properly as the tips of the carpet tufts plume, causing a shadow effect – permanently. This can be prevented by annual professional steam cleaning!
