Smell is amazing. It is far more than just a sniff or a whiff of something. Smell is the most primal of all of our senses and is the only one embedded in the limbic brain. The limbic brain is our emotional brain and in the end EVERYTHING boils down to how we FEEL. Our ability to smell has the ability to alter mood and behaviour. Changing how we feel changes behaviour. Instead of striving for a scent free environment, get rid of synthetic scents and toxins. Replace them with the smells of nature to improve mood and motivation. Viva our sense of smell!
Take Care of YOU During the Holidays
The holidays can be a time of happiness and a time of high stress. We stress over meal preparation, finding the perfect gift, and traveling home. It’s important during this season to take some time for ourselves to rest and reflect on the year we have had. Increased stress levels reduce our immune systems, making us more susceptible to colds and flus. Rest, drink lots of water, eat healthy, get exercise, and take care of any aches and pains by seeing your local physiotherapist, massage therapist or chiropractor. You are important so take care of you too. Happy Holidays!
Denture Care When Travelling
You want your smile to look its best no matter where you are, and having an organized plan for denture care can ensure that it will. Choose your meals and beverages carefully, bring along your own ‘denture friendly’ snacks for flights and long drives, pack the right cleaning products and tools, and remember to stick to your daily routine for the best results. Be proactive by taking the time to see your denturist before you travel. He can ensure your denture fits properly and is functioning as it should, which can help you avoid bigger problems while away from home.
Community Profile – The Laundry Fairy
Are you tired of endless laundry? Do you wish your dirty clothes could magically appear washed and folded? The Laundry Fairy can do that for you. Your time is valuable so don’t waste it doing laundry. Simply schedule the Laundry Fairy’s pick-up and drop-off time and they will do your laundry for you. They pick it up, wash, dry and fold it, and then deliver it back to you the next day at your scheduled convenience. FREE pick up and drop off is available in Nanaimo and Lantzville with 24 hour turn around, 7 days a week.
Winter ‘Blues’
As the days get shorter, and the nights get longer, many people start to feel the effects of the lack of light. Out on the West Coast of Canada, we also get a lot of overcast skies. These realities of our environment can sap our energy and bring about feelings of general moodiness. This is a normal experience for many people, and there are things you can do about it. Self-care at this time of year is important. One of the recommendations is to find a full spectrum light and get some quality time in front of it. Use it while reading, working at the computer, or even when watching television!
Eliminating the Winter Blues
As winter approaches on the Island, the days get shorter, the weather changes, and you might notice you develop the winter blues. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a seasonal depression affecting 18% of Canadians, but there’s a lot you can do to get back to yourself again. Start by taking Health Canada approved Truehope EMP, a nutritional supplement that supports your mental and physical well being. It’s supported by 36 medical journals and scientists at over 16 universities worldwide. Compliment EMP with light therapy every morning, extra vitamin D, regular exercise, social time with friends, and a healthy diet.
Music for Mood
Many of us have experienced how music lifts us up when we are feeling down. What sort of music gives us this lifting-up effect? Mozart may work for one person, Alice Cooper for another, and Broadway for yet another. There is no accounting for taste, right? An alternative notion is that we match low feelings with music that evokes those feelings, e.g., melancholic music. It would be as if someone who really cared about us keenly listened to our story. We’d melt into their embrace, feeling safe to let the feelings out. Suddenly unburdened, we feel lighter.
Natural Help for the Cold and Flu Season
There are quite a selection of natural and pure essential oils which are antibacterial, helping to prevent the spread of germs. Flu particles can remain viable on objects for 48 hours – spreading with every sneeze, hug and hello! Diffusing oils into the air in your home will help to destroy these particles before they find a host. If you already have a cold, add them to a warm bath, and inhale the aromas. Terminator is a blend of antibacterial essential oils all chosen to help you through flu season – keep some on a tissue in your pocket for relief!
What’s the Human Body-Field?
While traditional healthcare has primarily focused on physiology, we are now seeing that energy and information control biology. In fact, frontier science proves that there is a regulating field of energy and information that operates in the physical body at the subcellular level. At NES Health, they call this the Human Body-Field (HBF), and they have researched its functions and structures for more than 30 years. In that time, they have discovered that the root causes of physical problems are distortions and blockages in the body-field, which serves as a master control system for all physiological function.
Daily Routine Important for Seniors
People are afraid of the unknown. If an older adult is losing control over their physical abilities, independence, or cognitive abilities, their world gets filled with more and more unknowns. Establishing routine is extremely important for seniors. A daily routine offers a level of stability that individuals often enjoy, as it allows them to settle into a schedule that they understand. Doing the same basic activities like eating, dressing, and bathing at the same time every day is known to improve sleep quality. A predictable routine also helps to reduce stress and anxiety.
Grief Can Be Confusing
Grief can catch us in surprising ways. When someone dies, our reaction may be gentle and accepting — or it may be unexpectedly unsettling. Our relationship with the person who has died may come up for reconsideration in uncomfortable ways. Old family concerns can arise, for example. Siblings may have had quite different experiences and argue about how the family story gets told. We may need to grapple with who this person really was, including the difficult parts of them. Counselling is a safe and neutral place to explore loss and find a story that makes sense.


