When insomnia is ongoing, try altering your sleep habits. There is ample clinical evidence supporting the effectiveness of a concept called Sleep Hygiene – recommendations that help with the specific aim of improving sleep quality. Even a few slight adjustments can mean the difference between sound sleep and a restless night. Have a bedtime routine, let your body know it’s time to sleep. Don’t go to bed hungry or stuffed and avoid nicotine, caffeine and alcohol. Create a restful bedroom environment that is cool, dark and quiet. Schedule ‘worry’ time for the next day and go to bed worry-free!
How Opposites Attract
When a friend drops by unexpectedly, we invite them in and make them comfortable. Similarly, when a feeling of happiness overcomes us, we welcome it and hope it stays for a while. When a feeling of sadness overcomes us, we wish it gone, like it was a burn, or a bee sting. The salve that can possibly give us relief is a song that mimics the feeling. As the song echoes the sad feeling back to us, it’s like a friend telling us ‘I hear you’. It comforts and soothes us. In a little while, we want music that is quite the opposite. And so, opposites do attract, and balance is restored.
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.
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.
Painful Feelings
Painful feelings command our attention – they can be so uncomfortable, and incredibly inconvenient. But what are they telling us? Is it that something is missing in your life? Are the feelings a signal for change, say in a job or a relationship? Are you healing from a loss? And what do you do about these painful feelings? Is there anyone you can share them with? Counselling is a safe, supportive, unbiased place to consider your full experience, and to develop a plan for yourself.
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.
Regenerate Your Knees
When your knees chronically hurt you are told it’s a sign of aging and degeneration, which is very true. However, did you know there is a method of treatment to regenerate your knees? Prolozone therapy results in about 75% of chronic pain sufferers to become permanently pain free. Chronic pain occurs in areas of the body that are especially vulnerable to the effects of decreased oxygen utilization and aging. Prolozone therapy with procaine, natural anti-inflammatory medications, vitamins & minerals and ozone gives the tissues what they need to heal. And as they heal, the circulation to the knees is re-established.
Small Steps, Big Rewards
Small changes when you’re working to better your overall health and wellbeing can really add up! This year, consider some simple habit shifts like these: If you find yourself reaching for junk foods frequently, make healthy snacks like fruit and nuts available at all times to curb your cravings. Practice simple deep breathing exercises throughout the day. Count to five as you breathe in, hold your breath while you count to five again, and slowly breathe out while counting to five once more. Take a break from sitting throughout the day by taking brisk walks inside or outdoors!
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.
Community Profile
Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens helps you honour the life and memory of your cherished loved one. Their professionals are there to help you make decisions with confidence in your urgent time of need. They can also help you pre-plan your own final arrangements. This allows you to design an exceptional statement that reflects your life and values, save money and reduce the burden that may be put on your family. As a member of the Arbor Memorial family, Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens provide funeral preparations, cremation services, and interment rights to families in Cedar, Nanaimo, and across Canada.
Drop in Fitness Classes
Looking for a way to incorporate fitness into your life? Check out Parks, Recreation and Culture for some drop-in options. Classes are held at Oliver Woods and the cost is $11 per class. • H.I.I.T Classes: Monday, Wednesday, 5:15-6:15 pm • Rookie Boot Camp: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 9:15-10:15 am • Legs, Bums, Tums: Tuesday, 5:30-6:15 • Fat Burn Fitness: Thursday, 9:15-10:15 am • Full Figure Fitness: Monday, 10:30-11:20 am. See website for other drop-in opportunities.


