Your level of mental fitness can often determine your ability to deal with stressful situations, thrive through change and ultimately, perform at your best. We know it’s important but how many of us commit time every day as we do with our physical hygiene? Here are a few mental hygiene practices you can incorporate into your day and/or encourage others at work to practice. Just try one at a time! 1) Do a round of gratitude at each meeting 2) Write down one thing you achieved and felt great about each day. 3) Practice acceptance of what you don’t like, but can’t change.
Community News
The Many Benefits of Acupuncture
Acupuncture can be used to help with symptom relief from a variety of health conditions. Some examples include: 1) Musculoskeletal pain – acupuncture can help with all kinds of musculoskeletal pain, including spastic or painful muscle from trauma, as well as joint pain, sciatica, and tendonitis. 2) Hormone imbalance – acupuncture may decrease symptoms related to infertility, menstruation, and menopause by assisting with hormone balance restoration. 3) Mood disorders – acupuncture can be an effective way to cope with depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. 4) Sleep disorders – acupuncture can help with insomnia, snoring, and sleep apnea.
Get Your Mouth Checked!
An oral health exam is critical to the maintenance of your overall wellbeing. You should have your mouth checked at least once a year for prevention and treatment of any ailments. Even if you don’t have any live teeth, it’s important to make sure there are no signs of infections or early signs of cancer, growths, or cysts, and that your dentures are fitting you well. Leaving problems untreated usually leads to pain, periodontal disease, or tooth loss, and could make treatment more difficult, so it’s best to deal with problems early, or, if possible, prevent them.
The Dark Brother Within
Deep buried inside each man is a part of himself that he does not like. This is his shadow self with roots as far back as childhood and the storehouse for anything he has disowned or rejected about himself such as anger, shame, empathy, grief, and unresolved wounding. Because he chooses to shun his shadow it results in him having low self-esteem and mental or chronic illness. This month, we courageously face the dark brother within as we start to integrate our shadows living as whole complete men.
Scents and Our Brain
Almost all information about smell is stored in the brain’s hypothalamus, a part of the limbic system, which seems to play an important role in controlling mood, memory, behaviour, emotions, heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, stress, and hormonal balance. When a person inhales a smell, a certain signal is sent to the brain, which then spreads throughout the body. Choosing specific scents can lower our stress levels, boost mood, and improve memory. For better concentration, for example, combine a few drops of rosemary, sweet orange, and basil essential oils in your diffuser to increase your focus and productivity.
Negotiating vs. Compromising
I used to believe that relationships were all about learning to compromise with each other to find a middle ground. When we compromise, we tend to give up our own needs for the betterment of staying connected to others. When we learn to negotiate, we zero in and distill those needs that are fully needed to be met by finding the bridge between ourselves and another. By giving ourselves permission to express and negotiate our deepest desires, we find a creative way where both people can get their core needs met, which then leads to less resentment and greater satisfaction without losing themselves in the relationship.
Are You Iron Deficient?
Iron deficiency knows no boundaries – from women (it is estimated that up to 26% of reproductive aged women are iron deficient), to athletes, the elderly, and vegetarians – shortage of this mineral is widespread. Iron is an essential element for the body, and when it’s low, energy levels decrease. Other tell-tale symptoms include: weakness, pale skin, dark under-eye circles, brittle hair and nails, shortness of breath, and cold hands and feet. Think you may be deficient? Try a natural liquid iron supplement. It will help fight back against iron deficiency by promoting the formation of healthy red blood cells. Visit a LifeSmart clinic and talk to the Pharmacist about your options!
Winter Nutrition for Seniors
It’s important for seniors to eat well in the winter months, and some key foods to eat for optimum health include: 1) Citrus fruits – citrus fruits are high in vitamin C, helping to boost immunity. 2) Dark, leafy vegetables – broccoli, spinach, and chard provide many vitamins and antioxidants. 3) Root veggies – root vegetables are high in vitamins, minerals, and fibre. 4) Vitamin D – with less sunlight exposure during the winter, eat egg yolks, healthy grains, seafood, and fortified milk. 5) Good fats – flax seed, walnuts, and avocados are high in healthy omega 3 fatty acids.
Meet Dr. Robert Hogarth
Dr. Hogarth has been helping patients feel better since 2014. He is a graduate of the Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary and the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine at Boston University. Dr. Hogarth is a member of various professional organizations such as the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain, the Academy of General Dentistry, the Holistic Dental Association, and the International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine. His interests include metal-free dentistry, zirconia implants, TMJ dysfunction/myofascial pain treatment and sleep therapy. Fontana and Red Light Laser therapy, Oxone and PRF (platelet-rich fibrin) are some common tools he uses in his treatments.
Join Our Care4U Family Conference
The Alzheimer Society of Manitoba invites you to join us on Saturday, October 22 from 9 am to 12:30 pm virtually via ZOOM for the Care4u Family Conference, a morning of learning strategies and resources to help you find and strengthen your courage as a care partner amidst times of constant change. We are featuring health care professionals across the province who are ready to share the latest in care techniques, communication strategies and community resources while empowering care partners to pay attention to their own well-being. To check out our panels, speakers and how to register, visit alzheimer.mb.ca/care4u!
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, dedicated to driving awareness about prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment options. Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in women globally, and within Canada, it is the third most-commonly diagnosed cancer, accounting for 25% of all cancer diagnoses in females. As you get older, your risk of developing breast cancer increases, and women between the ages of 50 and 69 years of age are more likely to develop it. The good news is, when detected early, the chances of survival increase. Regular screening increases the chances of detecting certain cancers early, before cancer has a chance to spread.
