It’s been a year since we launched our Project Rebuild Campaign to reach more and do more for residents in our community. Thanks to your support, children, youth and families are finding solace at SOS, connecting with others and accessing support. Residents in need of essentials like food and medicine, as well as mental health support, can find them. Seniors can get help with advocacy in times of crisis. Although we still have more work to do, we are humbled by the response from our community and will continue pushing forward to make positive change. Thank you.
Community News
Wealth & Well-being
It’s tax season and the CRA is now accepting income tax returns and has cautioned that it will be another “unique” tax period due to pandemic-related challenges. Here’s what you should know: 1) The filing deadline will be April 30 for most, but because the deadline falls on a Saturday this year, returns filed by May 2 will be considered on time. 2) File your taxes to receive benefits and credits you may be entitled to. 3) If you worked from home may be eligible to claim a deduction of up to $500 for home office expenses using a temporary flat rate method.
Shockwave Therapy: The Gold Standard
The FDA has approved the use of Shockwave Therapy (SWT) for the treatment of plantar fasciitis and other tendon injures. SWT is a non-invasive treatment that involves delivery of shock waves to injured tissue to ultimately reduce pain and promote healing. Multiple high-quality randomized clinical trials/research has provided substantial evidence that SWT is a safe and effective non-invasive option for treating tendinopathy & calcifications throughout the musculoskeletal system. At Origin Integrated Health we are currently yielding positive results using SWT for chronic injuries to tendons in the rotator cuff/shoulder, elbow, hip/hamstring, Achilles and plantar fascia.
Salsa Dancing Health Benefits
Salsa dancing is fun and exciting, but did you know it’s also a great way to stay healthy and fit? Here’s how salsa dancing can benefit your health: 1) Targets all major muscle groups. 2) Improves your balance by strengthening your stabilizing muscles. 3) Increases circulation, benefitting your heart and lungs. 4) Burns calories. 5) Can help prevent osteoporosis and can prevent arthritis by helping to lubricate your joints. 6) Can improve memory by getting you to memorize steps, routines, and dance patterns. 7) Boosts your mood by raising endorphin levels. 8) Lowers bad cholesterol and raises good cholesterol.
The Wellness Hub Vancouver Island
Looking for more local health and wellness information? Check out the Wellness Hub Vancouver Island. It features hundreds of local business and practitioners offering services and products, health tips on a variety of topics, podcasts, reviews and more. It is easy to search, access and share information. While you are on the Wellness Hub, don’t forget to enter the April Contest for a Wellness Basket sponsored by Bonneau Gifts. The draw date is April 30, 2022.
Great Socks for Travel
Many of us have compression socks for traveling. On the day of travel, put them on when you get up; that is when your legs are less swollen. This allows your body to adapt to the socks. Make sure to leave them on for a few hours after you land to again allow your body to adapt. Wearing the socks for the extra time can reduce any swelling of the legs much more effectively than if they are taken straight off. Travel socks do not work unless you wear them. If the ones you have are not comfortable, look for a different kind.
Canada’s Low Risk Gambling Guidelines
Have you heard of Canada’s Low-Risk Gambling Guidelines? Guideline 1) Gamble no more than 1% of household income: For example, a Household income of $70,000 before tax should gamble no more than $58 per month. Guideline 2) Gamble no more than 4 days per month, which works out to roughly once a week. Guideline 3) Avoid regularly gambling at more than 2 types of games: For example, lotteries and slots, scratch tickets and bingo, OR poker and VLTs. 3+ forms of gambling substantially increase the risk of developing a gambling problem. Check them out at GamblingGuidelines.ca #LRGG.
Progress over Perfection
When it comes to diet plans, missteps are seen as failures or “cheat days” are built-in. While some succeed, this mindset of “be perfect or you’re a failure” can lead to eating disorders, anxiety around food, obsession with healthy foods (orthorexia), and yo-yo dieting patterns. Focusing on progress towards a long-term goal is key. The occasional “missteps” are learning opportunities or simply an enjoyable treat. When progress is the focus, stumbling points along the path are not failures that mean that you have to stop and start again, just lessons.
Think Positive – Feel Good
Do you wake up some days and have a hard time getting out of bed? What are you telling yourself? Everything has energy; our bodies, thoughts, words and our emotions. What we put out into the universe is exactly what we get. If your first thought is “I don’t want to face my world”, then you will probably have a dense, stressful day. Raise your frequency through monitoring and changing your thoughts, words, and behaviours from dense and depressive to light, inspiring and positive. Cancel negative thoughts, avoid negative words and rethink to receive what you truly want and deserve. It’s a good day!
Time to Get Out and Socialize
Spring is almost here and there is a feeling of hopefulness and renewal in the air. Winter tends to see us more in solitude. Once it warms up and the days are longer, we tend to want to spend more time outdoors and with friends. These activities are good for our health. Fresh air and sunshine can do wonders for our physical and mental health & socializing aids with our mental and emotional health. Once we start, we tend to want to do more healthful things, so get out and have a walk with a friend, socialize and engage – you’ll feel better for it!
The Rites of Passage
Funeral rites are as old as the human race itself. Every culture and civilization has attended to the proper care of their dead. There are three common threads for death and the disposition of the dead: 1) Some form of ceremony, funeral rite or ritual, 2) A sacred place for the dead and 3) Memorials for the dead. Researchers have found burial grounds of Neanderthal man dating to 60,000 BC with animal antlers on the body and flower fragments next to the corpse indicating some form of ritual and gifts to the deceased. We are here to help.
