● “The Body Keeps the Score (Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma),” Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D.
● “You Can Heal Your Life (The Mental Patterns that Create Dis-eases in the Body),” by Louise Hay-
● “Choosing Happiness (Inspiration for a Woman’s Soul),” Compiled by Linda Joy, Edited by Bryna Rene.
● “When the Body Says No (The Cost of Hidden Stress),” – Gabor Mate M.D.
● “The Gifts of Imperfection (Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are),” Brene Brown

Without a Will, the “Intestate” laws of your province determine who will take the responsibility of managing your Estate. Sometimes it is clear, such as a spouse, child or sibling, as to who would be next in line to administer your Estate, however, there can be confusion as to who this should be to administer your Estate. The absence of a personal representative (Executor) can result in fighting between your loved ones. If it cannot be determined who is to best administer your Estate, the Honourable Court will appoint an Estate Administrator.

An aspect of our mental health, self compassion entails being warm and understanding toward ourselves when we suffer, fail, or feel inadequate. Try these four things to improve yours. 1. Self kindness – be a friend to yourself. 2. Recognize our common humanity –we all need to belong. Even as imperfect human beings, we are all worthy of compassion. 3. Mindfulness – being with what IS, in the moment. Notice when we cause ourselves pain through negative self talk. Self criticism activates a stress response; a perceived threat. 4. Recognize and take in the SAFE feelings – warmth, gentle, soft voices.

It’s not carbs, sugar, or fat. It’s because we’re eating when we’re emotionally hungry (above the neck). Not when we’re physically hungry (below the neck). How do I know the difference? Emotional hunger comes on suddenly. We crave specific foods. We could eat a Costco-size snack mix and we’re still not satisfied. Why? Because we’re not hungry for food. We’re hungry for something else. It might be escaping boredom, stress relief, or a distraction from difficult emotions. It’s never about the food we’re craving. It’s about what the food allows us to avoid.

Stress in animals presents as skin conditions, behavioural issues, cognitive dysfunctions, and digestive problems or they may hide it. Robin McKay, BSc., MA, Energy Facilitator and owner of Energy Effects, is passionate about animals and how dogs, cats and horses, along with other animals, positively respond to the non-verbal, and gentle art form of Jin Shin Jyutsu. It helps create their best health, brings balance, decreases pain and anxiety and allows them to let go of stressors. Treating animals, teaching owners how to work on their animals and consulting in various situations has become Robin’s soul work.

Mon. Feb. 10, 1:30 pm – February Health Café – Love your heart!!
February is heart awareness month. Hypertension is the leading preventable cause of death and disability around the world and can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and dementia. Knowledge is power – register today to enjoy an hour of engaging talk about heart health in a fun and interactive way! Limited seating available. Call 403.343.9100 today to register.

PAUSE and recall any recent experience of kindness (child’s smile, warm tea). ATTUNE to how kindness felt in your body, a felt sense of goodness in the moment; a lightness in the heart, warmth in the body. It’s not the story – it’s the feeling. FOCUS your awareness on this felt sense of goodness for 10-30 seconds. Savour the feeling. Evoke/remind yourself of this feeling 5 times throughout a day. Doing this 5 times repeats the neural firing in your brain, recording the kindness memory, strengthening your sense of emotional well-being.

Restorative sleep brings optimal health. Does your mind run all night? Does the need to urinate keep you up? In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), there are three types of insomnia. The first relates to the heart where your mind can’t turn off at night, the second is due to liver yang rising and not properly shunting the blood. The third relates to the kidney in which one wakes several times in the night and feels unrested when morning comes. A customized treatment plan is created in TCM depending on your symptoms and situation.

Do you feel like you are in an emotional spin cycle? This emotional spin cycle can occur when we get caught up in never-ending fears and worries, or get stuck going over and over problems, or issues without being able to clearly think it through or resolve it. All of this causes stress. You can let go of fear and worry and be peaceful and calm. You can regain your clarity and confidence, see other options and perspectives, enabling you to resolve problems and issues. It is possible to stop the spin cycle, with emotional wellness and Tapping.