December can be a challenging month at the best of times. The pandemic has taken its toll on us emotionally, physically, intellectually, spiritually, and financially. Online gambling has increased in popularity while land-based venues have reopened where players have renewed their patronage. If gambling used to be a light-hearted and fun activity but has changed to become an outlet or longshot for financial and/or emotional stress relief, connect with us at VI Gaming Support. You can reach us by phone, text, email, social media (Facebook & Instagram), or online on our website at VIGamingSupport.ca. Provincial toll-free support line 1-888-795-6111 is open 24/7.
Community News
Focus on the Good Moments
As 2021 comes to an end, and we reflect on all that has happened, it is important to take note and remember the good moments along the way. With the challenges of the global pandemic still evolving, and other external stressors that occurred through the year, it can be easy to forget those moments of joy and connection that were experienced. With the holiday season approaching, take a moment to remember those good moments, and reach out to share those memories with those you were with. Choose to focus on the good moments and share that with others.
Life Stages and Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can affect people of all ages for various reasons such as genetics, exposure to loud noises, presbycusis, autoimmune issues and sometimes ototoxic medications. More dangerously, untreated hearing loss can cause issues, often psychological, which also tend to be the indicators.
If you’re concerned that you or a loved one may have hearing loss, here’s a list of signs in each stage of life that may indicate a hearing loss.
Children
Signs of hearing loss in children often go unnoticed, hence it’s important to look for signs as early as infancy for quick treatment. If a hearing loss isn’t indicated now, it’s still a possibility as they age.
Here are some of the signs to watch for:
- Lack of attention to sound and sound localization
- Delayed speech development
- Unable to monitor their own voice or follow verbal instructions
- Behavioural changes and hyperactivity
- Poor school performance
Teenagers
Diagnosing teens is easier because they’ve developed communication skills. Personalities influence any diagnosis because they affect our verbal interactions and reactions to different situations.
The following are some indicators:
- Struggles with verbal cues and instructions
- Often ask people to repeat themselves
- Lack of participation in school activities, poor school performance
- Isolated from social situations
- Behavioural changes – may act out or do nothing at all
Adults and Seniors
In adults, signs of hearing loss present differently with age due to developed coping mechanisms. Seniors often lose their hearing as they age, but they can take action to treat it for a better quality of life.
Here are signs to look for:
- Regularly ask people to repeat themselves
- Talk very loud or quiet
- Difficulties understanding verbal communication
- Isolate themselves in noisy environments and don’t participate
- May present with depression or anxiety
- Complaints of dizziness, ringing in ears and exhaustion
If you’re concerned about hearing loss affecting you or a loved one, NexGen Hearing provides free hearing tests and hearing aid consultations, sales and fittings. NexGen Hearing’s team is dedicated to helping you find solutions and discussing your hearing needs, goals and options to find the best outcome and support you every step of the way.
Author: By NexGen Hearing, NexGenHearing.com
Happy Holiday Wishes
As another year draws to a close, we give thanks for the many blessings that we have received. We continue to publish this newsletter, along with four additional local ones here on the island, with help from our communities. We thank our advertisers, readers, subscribers and newsletter distributors for helping us to continue to spread the wellness message. A big thank you to Isabella Ostman who is retiring at the end of the year. She worked with Teresa for five years to establish and grow our newsletters and the WellnessHub. We wish everyone Peace, Happiness and Good Health this Holiday Season.
No Longer Gambling Just for Fun?
December can be a challenging month at the best of times. The pandemic has taken its toll on us emotionally, physically, intellectually, spiritually, and financially. Online gambling has increased in popularity while land-based venues have reopened where players have renewed their patronage. If gambling used to be a light-hearted and fun activity but has changed to become an outlet or longshot for financial and/or emotional stress relief, connect with us at VI Gaming Support. You can reach us by phone, text, email, social media (Facebook & Instagram), or online on our website at VIGamingSupport.ca. Provincial toll-free support line 1-888-795-6111 is open 24/7.
Experience Profound Relaxation
Your body 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. Use code XMAS99 in December to save $25.
Socks for Christmas
Socks are not usually on the list of most wanted Christmas gifts but they should be. Anyone who works on their feet all day, the hiker and skier out in nature or the senior working hard to maintain their mobility would be thrilled to receive a pair of Voxx socks. Benefits from wearing the socks include enhanced pain relief and management, especially PDN pain, enhanced postural stability and balance, improved mobility and higher energy levels. You deserve the benefits of Voxx socks too, so get a pair or two for yourself while shopping for your loved ones.
New Holiday Traditions
This month may be the first time for get-togethers after a long time and there may be loved ones who are no longer with us. The first holiday season after losing a loved one can be a very difficult time. Acknowledge that things are going to be different and the holidays will never be the same as they once were. Hold your memories of loved ones close and connect with other people during these cold winter days. There will be opportunities to make the holidays meaningful; be open to the change and accept it for what it is – a new opportunity to create stronger family bonds and traditions.
A Really Useful Gift
At Christmas time, it can be hard to find a suitable gift for elderly loved ones. This year, give them and yourself the feeling of security while honoring their request to age in place. Installing a medical alarm system in their home can increase their independence and reduce the risks of living alone or being left alone in their home. With a locally monitored system, they may be able to remain in their own home. You can be comforted by the fact that if something should happen, help is just a button push away.
Relationship Satisfaction Amplified
We all want more satisfying relationships. Don’t get me wrong, you are a wonderful partner! Yet, we all have automatic ways of being in a relationship. Being different means choosing to act differently. Like, when your spouse is sad, you quickly start “operation cheer up”. A different choice in this situation might be to sit quietly, and be with them and their pain. Another option might be to ask them what they need right now. We start small, with neutral situations, so you can practise and be successful. This is the way to grow your courage with more impactful, but uncomfortable choices.
Don’t Neglect Your Teeth
Christmas Cookies, Eggnog, Candy Canes, what do all these things have in common? We tend to consume a lot of them at this time of the year, and their sugar content is very high. This high sugar content has a big effect on your teeth and gums. Acid that attacks the teeth is produced when bacteria (plaque) come into contact with sugar in the mouth. This can eventually result in tooth decay which is why consuming sugar filled drinks and snacks takes a toll on teeth. During this holiday season you can enjoy all the good things offered as long as you do not neglect brushing and flossing your teeth.
