Contrary to popular opinion, there are no truly “bad” foods. There are indeed foods that are better and worse when it comes to nutrition, but food, even cake, has no “morality”. We tell ourselves that these “junk foods” are “bad”, yet we often celebrate milestones in life with them. Weddings, birthdays, getting into college, or even retiring come with a cake that is shared with friends, family and colleagues. Although cake might not be the most nutritious form of calories, it can still be enjoyed in a balanced diet where nutrients come from other sources throughout the day.
Community News
Take Time to Smell the Flowers!
How often do you take time to just BE? This is what the phrase ‘stop and smell the flowers’ means. It is taking time out of your busy, complicated life to sit, relax, connect with nature and do nothing. Remember you are a human BEing! It is time to stop thinking that taking time for yourself is selfish. Taking time for yourself will make you happier, more productive and better able to support your loved ones. A Certified Body/Emotion Code Practitioner can help you release any unprocessed negative (trapped) emotions to allow YOU to take time for YOU.
Is Laughter the Best Medicine?
There have been studies that prove that the answer is YES. The Mayo Clinic published a study that showed that laughing is a great form of stress relief. Aside from improving your mood, laughter strengthens the immune system and diminishes pain. It protects your body from the damaging effects of stress by decreasing stress hormones and improving relaxation. It also releases good-feeling endorphins. If this wasn’t enough, a Norwegian study has shown that those with a good sense of humour outlived those who did not, especially when battling a disease such as cancer. So bring on those belly laughs!
Rebalance, Reset & Relax
The human body is amazing. It can be rebalanced and reset on a physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual level. A therapy session in The Harmonic Egg, a uniquely engineered bio resonance chamber, activates the body’s repair mechanism to promote profound relaxation. With the fusion of advanced technology and ancient wisdom, it uses the vibrational energies of sacred geometry, light, colour and sound. These frequencies vibrate to create a 360 degree amplified resonance experience that returns the body to homeostasis. Each energy therapy session is individually tailored and is precisely controlled, consistent, and repeatable. It is completely non-invasive and 100% safe.
Stay Healthy While Travelling
Long-distance travel, either by air or land, can lead to a small risk of blood clots. If you have cancer, had recent surgery, abnormal blood clotting disorders or obesity you should be assessed by a healthcare practitioner before travelling. Tips to prevent blood clots during flights that every traveller can benefit from include; *Maintain adequate hydration as it also encourages mobilization, *Contract the calf muscles regularly or get up every 1-2 hours, *Wear below-knee graduated compression stockings, and *Choose an aisle seat when possible as it is proven to encourage mobilization. Talk to your pharmacist about ways to stay healthy while travelling.
Celebrating Memories on Mother’s Day
Whether the loss of your mother was recent or long ago, you can honour her life in creative ways. *Make a statement – Plant her favourite flower in remembrance. *Social Media – Create a Facebook page dedicated to your mom and invite family to post photos and stories. Ask your funeral home or cemetery about free online memorials. *Pay it forward – Volunteer or donate to her favourite charity. *Remember her favourites – Honour and remember her by doing something she loved. *Celebrate together – Host a video call where everyone can exchange stories and share her favourite memory.
Meditation for Mental Wellness
The benefits of sitting quietly and going within are profound. The deep state of rest produced by meditation triggers the brain to release neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins. These chemicals play many roles related to well-being, including increasing feelings of happiness, decreasing feelings of pain, and reducing the side effects of stress. Studies have found that meditation and mindfulness can decrease symptoms related to depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mood-related disorders, without side-effects that might be experienced while taking medications. Meditation can play an important role in maintaining and improving your mental health and well-being safely and effectively.
Acupuncture for Menopause Symptoms
Menopause can cause a number of uncomfortable emotional and physical symptoms, including hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and mood changes. Some women may not want to or can’t use hormone replacement therapy, which is a common treatment for menopause symptoms. Recent studies in both Denmark and the United States suggest that acupuncture may help with symptoms of menopause. Women who received acupuncture sessions during the studies reported less severe and less frequent day and night sweats, general sweating, sleep problems, emotional and physical symptoms, and skin and hair problems compared to women who did not have acupuncture sessions during the studies.
Wealth & Well-Being
Selecting a Financial Advisor. If you’re shopping around for a new financial advisor or simply reviewing your relationship with your current advisor, there are some essential questions you should ask. 1) What qualifies you to provide financial advice? Ask about qualifications, continuing education, and areas of expertise. 2) What is your approach, and what services does it include? Discuss investment style and availability. 3) What am I paying for all of this? 4) What should my goals be, and how can you help me achieve them? Define your goals and create a plan. 5) How will we measure success? Ask the advisor for references.
Ask The Expert
Q: Are 3D glasses from the movie theatre OK to wear as sunglasses? I heard they are polarized.
A: Commonly these glasses have some UV protection, but they are not polarized the same way as polarized sunglasses, in which the lenses are oriented to reduce glare and bright reflections from horizontal surfaces like roads, ice, and water. You’ll do better to let the theatre keep their glasses and get something better suited for protection and function.
Supporting Mental Health & Wellbeing
For low-income parents who have young children, the last two years have been especially difficult. Financial stress, months of social isolation, and the daily challenge of keeping growing minds and bodies busy have taken their toll. And for older children and youth, school disruption and the loss of social connection with their friends have affected their academic and emotional well-being. That’s why SOS Child, Youth and Family programs are so important for supporting mental health and well-being. To learn more about these free programs, or how to support them, visit our website, call us or come by our Community Services Centre in Parksville.
