Maintaining good oral health isn’t just about keeping your teeth and gums healthy – it can have an impact on the rest of your body as well. Research suggests that a buildup of dental plaque can be linked to other health issues, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes complications, and even various types of infections. Brushing and flossing away dental plaque each day can help keep buildup under control and limit your risk of other issues linked to poor oral health. It’s important to see your dentist regularly to ensure your teeth, gums, and other oral tissue are in tip-top shape.
Community News
Benefits of Chair Yoga
Chair Yoga has shown to improve overall health when practiced regularly and can be modified for people of varying abilities. It is beneficial for people with limited mobility and for those who want to practice yoga at their workplace. The benefits of practicing chair yoga poses (called asanas) include: Improved flexibility, increased strength and reduced joint strain. Also, better concentration and incorporating breath work with the poses can help clear your brain of unwanted thoughts, improve mood and decrease stress. Martina Forster, Yoga teacher/Occupational Therapist
Aging Well Seniors’ Expo
“Friday, June 10th, 10 am – 3 pm at Cowichan Community Centre, FREE ADMISSION.
Volunteer Cowichan is hosting the 3rd Annual Aging Well Seniors’ Expo to connect, inform and empower older adults with a wide range of services, information and products to support them as they age. The expo will have health, financial, legal, medical and physical-care businesses, professionals, organizations, and more on-site. Table Talk presentations, door prizes and more! Sponsors H.W. Wallace Cremation & Burial Centre, BC CRN and Wellnessnews Choices for Health Living® invite older adults, elders, friends and family to attend this event. “
Community Partnerships & Resources
At Wellnessnews Choices for Healthy Living®, we are proud to be active in our communities. We promote events and activities that help bring health and well-being into people’s lives. This month, we have partnered with the Victoria HarbourCats and the Nanaimo NightOwls Baseball Clubs, The Victoria Goddess Run and the Aging Well Seniors Expo in Cowichan. Our health and wellness resources include our printed newsletters, our online WellnessHubVancouverIsland.ca, the “Wellness Wednesday” radio show on CHLY 101.7 FM or CHLY.ca and our Expos. Check out the Hub for more information and to enter our June contest.
Father’s Day Gift – Wellness
Does your dad have a closet full of Father’s Day ties? This year, show him that you care about his wellness and give him socks – VoxxLife socks. They have wearable technology that works with the brain to reduce pain, increase strength and endurance and enhance stability and balance. Knee-high socks with mild compression are great when standing for a long time or excess sitting. For the active walkers or runners, chose moisture-wicking socks to keep the feet cool in summer. Socks are available for pick-up or delivery in Central Vancouver Island or order directly from the website.
Healthy Food Can Be Fun
What comes to mind when you think of a healthy meal? Baked chicken, steamed broccoli with a side of plain brown rice, might come to mind but where’s the fun in that? A rule of thumb when it comes to a healthy meal is that your plate should be about ½ fruits and/or veggies, ¼ protein and ¼ starchy carbs like rice, pasta, or potato. Spice it up by playing with new cooking methods, seasonings, cultures such as Mexican, Italian, Asian, new foods and herbs. Your food can be fun, tasty and healthy. Get adventurous. I can help.
Strengthening Our Resilience
Asking for help is the first step toward improving mental health and wellbeing. The next step is finding it. That’s why, for the last 54 years, SOS has been committed to ensuring that all residents have access to support for strengthening their resilience. Our Counselling Referral, Personal Growth, Seniors’ Advocacy Services, Seniors Connecting and Child, Youth and Family programs make a meaningful difference to residents of every age and socio-economic group. To learn more about these free and subsidized programs, or how to support them, visit our website, call us or come by our Community Services Centre in Parksville.
The Powerful Effect of Hormones
Hormones affect many areas of your health, including your mood, your metabolism, and your sexual and reproductive function. Anyone who has been through puberty knows that hormones have a powerful effect on one’s body. Unbalanced hormones can make you feel like a stranger in your own skin. Compounded hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a way to restore balance and help you feel like yourself again. With your healthcare provider’s prescription, we can help establish a hormone replacement regimen that brings your hormones back into balance to closely mimic what your body has been doing naturally for years.
Maintain a Social Connection
Social isolation, especially among seniors, is a growing problem which has been elevated by the pandemic. Social isolation is associated with many health risks including; high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. For seniors living alone, a daily Check-In Service can be very beneficial. A check-in service offers a daily phone call and human contact. It provides a friendly chat that gives peace of mind and ensures someone knows you are doing Ok today. Nanaimo Lifeline’s Check-In Service aims to support seniors by maintaining a social connection and referring individuals to resources and events within their community.
Vibrational & Traditional Chinese Medicine
Meridians, based on traditional Chinese medicine, are pathways for life energy – Chi. Chi is a force that informs and connects all parts of your body and controls its function. Acupuncturists and reflexologists access Chi via acupuncture points to stimulate the flow of Chi, releasing blockages that cause dysfunction and dis-ease in the body. We define energy as “information that vibrates” (Cyndi Dale, 2009). Vibrational medicine uses frequencies and resonance for the same purpose. It stimulates the body on a cellular and subtle energy level, activating and facilitating the energy flow in the meridians which leads to the release of energy blockages.
Sports Betting Support
Sports bettors, who tend to be young men, are the most vulnerable to problematic behavior, according to the NCPG’s National Survey on Gambling Attitudes and Gambling Experiences. The survey reveals that sports bettors are three times more likely to exhibit problem gambling behavior than other types of gamblers.” (Quoted from onlinepoker.com) Given the popularity of sports betting across North America, and Canada’s soon-to-be new law allowing single event sports betting (Canada.ca DoJ), vulnerable sports bettors may find themselves in a position to engage in more impulsive betting behaviour. Contact us for more info on how we can help!
