The ‘back to school’ health list: clean and check teeth, get an eye appointment, chiropractic adjustment, new shoes, clothes, and book a massage. Why massage? It improves adolescent posture, often affected by computer time and backpacks, aids in sports injury prevention and repair, and can even help reduce anxiety and improve concentration. For younger ones, it can help with sleep! It can also help with body awareness for teens, and promote a healthy lifestyle going into adulthood. Check your health benefits for massage coverage; they often extend to your children, too!

Janet Spafford has lived in Red Deer with her family for over 20 years. She has expertise in assistance with mental health counselling, program coordination and facilitation, career and employment services, and education. In 2016, she received her Master of Counselling from Gonzaga University. As a Canadian Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counsellor and Psychotherapy Association, Janet has found her true north purpose. Janet shares, “The most rewarding part is supporting clients as they shift perspectives of themselves, their surroundings, relationships and expectations by applying new skills and strengths to realign with their own authenticity.”

Having a healthy morning routine is essential to create radical change in your life. Summer is the perfect time to start! Here are five small things that you can do: 1. Get up 15-30 minutes earlier. 2. List three things for which you are grateful and write them down! 3. Drink a glass of warm lemon or lime water. 4. Try out ‘dry skin brushing’ before you shower! 5. Have a cooling medium-sized breakfast such as oats with stewed apples. Try this for 30 days starting tomorrow! You in?

Preschool and school-aged camps at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre and Historic Fort Normandeau guarantee lots of warm weather fun! Outdoor adventures, mystery solving, a trip through time: something for every young explorer! Register up to three days before camp: $72 preschool/$150 school-aged, per child. Early drop off/late pick up available. Call 403-346-2010, ext. 111 or visit WaskasooPark.ca for more information or to register.

Did you know that there are two 9-hole disc golf courses in Red Deer? They’re in Victoria Park (Allan Street) and Kentwood (Kent Street and Kendrew Drive). All players have their own disc (from local sports store) or frisbee. Each player throws their disc into the baskets using as few throws as possible. Great fun for families, friends, or special events. Visit CADGA.ca to join a league. Scorecards for each course can be printed off at reddeerpcn.com. Portable disc golf sets can be borrowed from RDRPCN for events.

Big Bend Market supports local farm families and locally made food products, and believes that we are what we eat. We specialize in hormone and antibiotic-free meat and have a variety of gluten-free products. Supplying Alberta with natural, local, healthy produce since October 2007, Big Bend Market South, located in Southpointe Common, is your full fine meats and fresh cuts deli. We also carry ready to go homemade meals: chicken pot pies, cabbage rolls, perogies, tourtiere, meatballs, and stuffed potatoes. Local organic milk, fresh farm eggs, fresh local vegetables, and a variety of locally produced products. We truly are your year-round farmer’s market!

Are concerns about how you look or that you’ll be expected to do advanced poses keeping you from attending a yoga class? Yoga is a great experience for every body size and type, at any age. A few simple stretches of the hands, feet, legs, arms, torso, and neck done regularly can help you regain and maintain flexibility. Seek out experienced and empathetic instructors, who specialize in providing a relaxed and supportive environment where these stretches are complemented with safe, accessible balancing postures. With this support, a path to greater physical comfort and security becomes available and you experience only joy when fear and pain are gone!

Fridays and Saturdays – FREE Dental Check-up & X-ray Program for children ages 5 and 6 years (see our ad). Call Bower Dental (general dentists) today at 403-347-8008 and mention the ‘FREE Kids’ Check-up Promotion’ to help keep your child smiling.

Sports injury? Osteoarthritis? Tendonitis? Or perhaps plantar fasciitis, carpel tunnel syndrome, or quilters/texters thumb? You’re in luck! Horizon Joint Rejuvenation Centre, located in Sylvan Lake, AB, is a specialized medical clinic helping patients who suffer from chronic joint and orthopedic pain. They offer a variety of new and exciting options to help you live the full life you deserve, including platelet rich plasma (PRP), prolotherapy, perineurial, and stem cell consultations. With today’s advances, we can now use the body’s own regenerative and restorative components and focus them on rejuvenating an injured area.

Welcome to your all-inclusive retirement living community, where we bring resort life to you! Some of the amenities include:
• Well-appointed lounges and social spaces; scheduled transportation with privately-owned bus; and theatre;
• Delicious, home-cooked meals served in full-service dining rooms; guest meals and catering; complimentary snacks and beverages available 24 hours a day; and modified menus for those on special diets; and
• Regular exercise; recreation programs; and wellness clinics and programs
All this, PLUS peace of mind with 24-hour-a-day, on-site care staff!

The Beam™ by Nimbleback is a simple self-care tool used for exercise that may have some benefits when used with yoga stretching and breathing exercises. The Beam™ is based on yoga stretching theory and uses the breath to focus on releasing tension. It allows you to take 10 minutes a day to relax and focus on your breath with yoga stretching that will help to release tension and relax the mind and body. Release, relax, and restore your core.