Community News
What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?

Cognitive Behavioural therapy (CBT) is a practical, short-term form of psychotherapy. CBT focuses on challenging and changing unhelpful cognitive distortions and behaviors, improving emotional regulation, and the development of personal coping strategies that target current problems. CBT is “problem focused” (undertaken for specific problems) and “action-oriented” (therapist tries to assist the client in selecting specific strategies to help address those problems). This type of therapy has been demonstrated to be effective for a range of problems including depression, anxiety disorders, alcohol and drug use problems, marital problems, eating disorders and severe mental illness.

On Meaning and Love

This time of year shifts our focus to romantic love and relationships. It symbolizes new beginnings, as we discover new meaning. Finding meaning helps us reflects how we want to be remembered. It encourages something that we can be positive about, helps us be strong and promotes our well-being. Much like love, when we feel our relationships have meaning, we are more engaged and determined to face life stressors. To help you connect with your meaning, challenge yourself to re-define what your love means to you, be fearless in the process and let your heart grow.

What is 3-D-Healing?

3-D-Healing combines the knowledge and energy of two trained practitioners who work on you simultaneously, helping to resolve the emotional and energetic blockages that manifest in the physical body. During a light state of trance, where you are fully present, you can access your cellular system, DNA, and higher self to reach negative emotional storages and get them ready for release. Practitioners simply assist in releasing these inhibiting energies, without you needing to share any past events or information with them. They also channel energy simultaneously into your body to allow for an easier release of the stored energies.

Support for Excessive Gambling – Service Profile

Has excessive gambling become an issue for you or someone you love? The BC Government provides British Columbians with free information and resources to support informed choices and healthy behaviours with respect to gambling participation. BC Responsible & Problem Gambling Program provides services that are confidential and free of charge, funded by the Government of British Columbia. This includes *24/7 Gambling Support Line, *Outreach Support and *Personal and Group treatment. Call 1-888-795-6111 or go to BCRresponsibleGambling.ca for more information.

Walking in Winter Conditions

Wintery conditions do not usually last long on Vancouver Island but it is good to be prepared for snow and ice. When walking outdoors, wear shoes or boots with traction because there is nothing worse than having footwear without grip. Make sure that your footwear also provides support for your ankles as that can help you avoid a slip. Using Walking poles is a great way to avoid slips and to get steady balance. Sign up for a free Walking pole seminar and be weather ready!

Health, Family & Happiness

At the beginning of 2020, most of us took some time to reflect on the past year and think about our hopes for the new year. Amidst the cliché resolutions to ‘stop procrastinating’, ‘eat healthy’ and ‘wake up early’ many of our hopes boil down to three simple things; health, family and happiness. This may mean looking for help to keep your elderly family members healthy and happy. Keeping loved ones comfortably in their own homes as long as possible alleviates some of the stress off the family’s primary caregivers allowing for more quality family time.

Is Doing Laundry Difficult?

Is your laundry room set up in the basement? As we age, climbing stairs can become problematic. So what happens when you have to do laundry? An elderly friend used to spend the entire day in the basement doing laundry. Then she still had to carry the load of clean clothes up the stairs. Sometimes laundry becomes the straw that breaks the camel’s back when it comes to remaining in your own home. It does not have to be that way. A pickup/drop off laundry service that comes to you can keep you independent in your own home.

Give the Gift of Beautiful Skin

Valentine’s Day is traditionally a special day to treat your loved one; it is also a great time to treat yourself. This year, instead of gifts that will last a few days such as chocolates or flowers, give a gift that will nourish and protect their skin. When selecting gifts of beauty, look for natural, handcrafted skin products made without harmful chemicals or allergens. Pure, organic ingredients such as Coconut oil, Beeswax, Cocoa Butter and Essential Oils soothe, nourish, and moisturize skin – naturally. This Valentine’s day, give the gift of luxurious skin care products to yourself and to your loved one.

Community Profile: IRIS

IRIS has been serving downtown Nanaimo for over 20 years. They take pride in providing expert care from the Optometrists to the Opticians and staff members. Their collaborative eyecare services include eye health and vision examinations, a large selections of frames & sunglasses, contact lens fittings and adjustments and alignments. IRIS Nanaimo is very pleased to welcome Optometrist Dr. Amir Anoushehpour to the team. Dr. Anoushehpour and Dr. Ng are firm believers that communication and working with the patient is the key to success in experiencing better vision and managing eye health Saturday appointments are available.

Soul – Mind – Body and Essential Oils

The foundation of holistic health is based on Soul – Mind – Body. *Soul: our intuitive ability and our drive for meaning and purpose, connection, competency, autonomy, security, and creativity. *Mind: Rational thought AND Emotions. Emotions rely information when we learn to understand them. *Body: Physical Form. How these three interact is what determines our health. Treating only the body will not lead to healing if the illness is a manifestation of suppressed emotions or thwarted spirit. Essential Oils have been used for spiritual work as long as there has been spiritual work. Holistic health comes with holistic tools.

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.