Exciting NEW weekend program starting March 3! Day 1 – craft and interactive show and tell, Day 2 – guided outdoor activity. Games, walk n’ talks, critters, rock hounding, snowshoes, space science, and more! All ages welcome. Suggested $2/person/day. Drop-in program from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, some exceptions (e.g., Easter Sunday event). Call 403-346-2010, ext. 111 for more info.

Never underestimate the value of taking a deep breath, chewing each bite of food 20 times, going for a walk in nature, or getting 8 hours of good sleep. If you can be consistent 80% of the time with these simple little habits, then you can maintain your health. When “busyness,” skipping meals, or just wolfing the food down regularly occurs in your life, revisit these simple little habits, start anew and get back on track. Janet Casey, RN, Wellness Coach, Owner/Operator, Corner Mountain Inn & Wellness Centre, CornerMountainInn.ca

School-aged children can join an interpreter for a week of nature-based fun, both indoors and out! Monday, March 29 to Thursday, March 29, 2018, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Cost: $45/day/child or $160 for the week. Early drop off/late pick up available for an extra $5/day. Call 403-346-2010 or visit www.WaskasooPark.ca to register or for more info.

One of the best motivators for regular walking is to walk with others. Walking regularly has benefits, including healthy weight; chronic disease prevention; better strength, balance, and fitness; as well as better overall happiness. Walking in a group in your community allows you to familiarize yourself with community resources, make new friends, and build a safer community. Getting fresh air and enjoying nature are inspiring bonuses. Look for the numerous resources and supports that exist, such as the Red Deer Primary Care Network.

Interested in leading a walking group in your community or know of any current walking group accepting new members, perhaps organized through a workplace, physical community, or faith-based organization? Contact Jonah or Lynsey at 403-343-9100 or hbadmin@rdpcn.com.

Chiropractic is a science that focuses on the relationship between structure and function. Chiropractors make small, focused adjustments to the joints of the spine and extremities to improve the function of these joints and influence the functioning of the nervous system, which controls just about every cell in your body. Chiropractors rely on the body’s natural ability to heal itself, and work to facilitate and improve this power by bettering the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. Chiropractic care is used to treat a broad spectrum of conditions.

Just like a flu bug or cold, “emotional congestion” can drain your body of energy, kill creativity, and make you feel paralyzed. High-level emotional health allows you to make effective decisions, live with lower stress levels, and improve your relationships. Symptoms of emotional congestion can include anger, confusion, sadness, anxiety, frustration, and depression. Getting healthy and clear usually requires us to “let go” of our emotional baggage. Consider talking to a friend or professional to gain clarity without delay so you can get back to feeling like yourself again.

Studies show that there are numerous benefits for connecting children with nature at an early age. It supports creativity and problem solving; enhances cognitive abilities; improves academic performance; reduces Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) symptoms; increases physical activity; improves nutrition, eyesight, social relations, self-discipline and reduces stress. Kerry Wood Nature Centre, WaskasooPark.ca/nature-nursery

If you have crooked or gapped teeth, you may be tempted to try DIY orthodontics using videos on YouTube or at-home kits that are advertised on TV. These options are said to save people money by avoiding appointments with dental professionals. The truth is, DIY orthodontics are unsafe and could end up costing you more money later on. Complications can arise from placing DIY or mail-order dental appliances over decayed teeth or infected gums. Only a professional can determine the presence of these problems and ensure they are fixed correctly. Options like Invisalign 5 offer people with mildly crooked or gapped teeth a way to straighten them with clear aligners instead of braces, in as little as six to eight weeks, at a cost comparable to those mail-order products. Bower Dental Centre, Invisalign5atCost.com

Do you experience an increase in aches and pains at night? Repetitive strain and overuse injuries affect tendons, muscles, nerves and joints in the arms, hands, shoulders, neck, upper and lower back, and the legs and can range from being mild discomfort to excruciating pain. If your symptoms persist more than 3 months, or are not responding to physiotherapy or other conservative treatments, your problem may have become chronic and would benefit from regenerative treatments such as injections with platelet rich plasma, prolotherapy or stem cells. Dr. Comeau, BMSc, MC, CCFP, Horizon Medicine Centres, HorizonMedicine.ca