Insomnia, or difficulty falling or staying asleep, affects many people and can impact mood, focus, and overall health. One natural approach to improving sleep is melatonin—a hormone the body produces to regulate the sleep-wake cycle. Melatonin levels typically rise in the evening to signal bedtime and decrease in the morning. For some, especially shift workers or older adults, melatonin supplements can help reset sleep patterns. However, it’s important to use them wisely and consult a healthcare provider before starting. Creating a relaxing bedtime routine, reducing screen time, and maintaining a regular schedule can also support better sleep naturally.
Community News
Epigenetic Hair Follicle Analysis
Are you affected by a general feeling of being unwell? Do you suffer from low energy, aches and pains, poor concentration, or EMF toxicity, to name a few? Factors such as inadequate nutritional intake, toxins, chemicals, processed foods, and EMF’s can control gene expression and may affect tissue healing, functioning, and repair. The Cell-Wellbeing Epigenetic Hair Follicle Analysis uses genetic mapping technology to assess and identify 9 influencing factors that may impact your health. Your personalized report will recommend specific dietary changes, nutritional supplementation, and practical solutions for reducing the effects of environmental factors. This information will allow you to transform your health at the deepest levels.
Dentures & Your Speech
Adjusting to new dentures—whether full or partial—can sometimes affect your speech temporarily. This adjustment period typically lasts a few days but may extend to a few weeks in some cases. The tongue, like other muscles in the body, has “memory” and may need time to adapt to its new environment. As you speak or read aloud, your tongue will gradually become accustomed to the changes in thickness, the acrylic material, the frame (in the case of partial dentures), and the placement and size of the teeth. With practice, your speech should return to normal. If speech difficulties persist beyond a few weeks, be sure to contact your denturist for assistance.
Simple Habits for a Healthier Year
A new year can spark motivation but also pressure to change everything at once. Instead of chasing perfection, begin with small habits that help you feel good immediately—nourishing breakfasts, plenty of hydration, and short bursts of movement or time outside to refresh your body and mind. Chiropractic care can support your nervous system as you build new routines, helping you adapt and recover more easily. Prioritize quality sleep so your goals feel energizing, not draining. With consistent, sustainable steps and a well-supported body, you can build momentum and make this your healthiest year yet.
December Book Club
Lighter: Let Go of the Past, Connect With the Present, and Expand the Future. #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER: An empathetic and wise book that will guide you on a journey toward a deeper understanding of self. In Lighter, Yung Pueblo demonstrates how we can all move forward in our healing, from learning self-compassion to letting go to becoming emotionally mature.
Giving Accessibility This Christmas
This Christmas, consider giving the gift of safety, comfort, and independence with an accessible bathtub or shower conversion. Total Tub, a Manitoba-based company, specializes in high-quality Canadian-made bathroom accessibility solutions, including Quick Tub® shower conversions, grab bars, railings, and wall-mounted benches. These upgrades promote independent living and help reduce the risk of slips and falls as 80% of which occur in the bathroom. As licensed installers and authorized dealers, Total Tub provides OBC/AODA-compliant products for both homes and businesses. Locally owned and operated, they’re small enough to listen, big enough to deliver – making accessibility the perfect gift that truly lasts.
Find Your Balance This Festive Season
The holidays can leave many of us feeling tired, sluggish, and overwhelmed. Simple habits like starting the day with a protein-rich breakfast and staying hydrated can help keep energy and hormones more stable. Adding small bursts of movement can support your mood, digestion and stress levels. Prioritizing sleep is key too, and regular chiropractic care can further support your nervous system, so your body adapts better to holiday stress. When it comes to festive treats, try enjoying a bite or two, then pausing before going back for more, you may find you don’t need it. With mindful routines and a well-regulated nervous system, you can move through the season feeling more balanced and resilient.
Handling Holiday Stress
Whatever holiday you celebrate this season, even if you’re surrounded by family and friends, it can be stressful. Making sure that your body and mind can handle stress is the best gift that you can give yourself. One of the best ways to improve your overall health and stress-handling ability is through Bioenergetics. Bioenergetics uses computerized testing and treatment to effectively determine and treat any imbalance or weakness in the body that is preventing you from achieving both optimal stress management and improved health. This holiday season, make sure that stress isn’t an unwanted gift that you can’t give back.
Nutrient Therapy for Mental Wellness
At Uptown Integrative Health, we take an individualized approach to mental wellness that recognizes the strong connection between nutrient biochemistry and brain function. The Walsh Protocol, developed by Dr. William Walsh, is one evidence-informed framework we may use to identify biochemical imbalances contributing to anxiety, depression, ADHD, and mood dysregulation. This method includes targeted nutrient testing to assess methylation, zinc–copper balance, B6 levels, and oxidative stress—key factors influencing neurotransmitters. Treatment is personalized and may include specific vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Combined with counseling, lifestyle support, and mind-body therapies, this integrative approach aims to promote stable mood, focus, and long-term resilience.
Staying Healthy Through the Holidays
Christmas is a time of joy and indulgence, but it can also be an opportunity to focus on health and well-being. Start by choosing nutritious versions of festive favorites—add more fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins to meals while reducing sugar and salt. Stay active by taking winter walks or dancing to holiday music. Manage stress by planning ahead and setting realistic expectations. Remember to get enough sleep and drink plenty of water, even amid celebrations. Most importantly, enjoy treats in moderation. A balanced approach allows you to savor the season while keeping your body and mind healthy.
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat relax too much to allow normal breathing. When the muscles relax, your airway narrows as you inhale, and breathing may be inadequate for 10 seconds or longer. Your brain senses this impaired breathing and briefly rouses you from sleep so that you can reopen your airway. You may make a snorting, choking or gasping sound. You are more at risk for developing sleep apnea if you are overweight, an adult male, use drugs or alcohol, are a smoker, have a family history of sleep apnea, or if you have a certain medical condition such as Type 2 Diabetes.
