Community News
Music and Neuroscience

Do we need to hear from experts that listening to music, tapping our feet in rhythm to music, or humming a familiar tune is good for us? My own curiosity about how music gets us moving, smiling, or recalling things we haven’t thought of in years led me to Music Therapy and research: McGill Unversity’s Dr. Daniel Levitin has found that as a result of exposure to music, levels of immunoglobinA, an antibody linked to immunity, increases; In another study he found significant evidence of music’s anti-anxiety properties. Montreal Neurological Institute’s Dr. Zatorre has found that a brain structure called the striatum is stimulated by music to release dopamine which increases feelings of pleasure. Music therapists are continually training to integrate and apply research findings into practice in order to better serve people of every age, from babies to Alzheimer’s patients.

Nejama Ferstman BA, MTA, Certified Music Therapist @ ShiriMusicTherapy, ShiriMySong.ca

Believe to Achieve

BELIEVING is the most important part of the mental game of any sport or leisure activity. If you want to change your experience, change your beliefs – at the subconscious level. Learn to hit the ball, SEE THE BALL, be AWARE of the game set around you and play with confidence. BELIEVE in your ability and watch your game improve daily! Hypnotherapies for sports and leisure activity treats anxieties and blocks at the subconscious level, improving your underlying beliefs in your abilities. Remember how good you felt when you first hit a ball cleanly, made a wonderful putt, sank a shot, made a fabulous pass to a teammate, returned an impossible serve, got your first strikeout or made it to the podium? Hypnosis works with your subconscious beliefs to eliminate anxieties, release old blocks, and bring those wonderful feelings of being in the moment – IN THE ZONE – and put you back on the path of enjoyment and fulfilment within your sport!

Pete Flagg, Hypnotherapy Consultant, Victoria Hypnotherapy for Sports Performance Improvement, Relax2playwell.ca

Who Do You Want to Be?

Shame tells us a story about ourselves. We all have a private understanding of who we are, and sometimes the sum total can feel good enough. But sometimes the secret story is deeply embarrassing – we feel deeply wrong or screwed up. We may doubt or blame ourselves, act out, or feel deeply responsible. Shame can make it hard to handle overbearing people or make the changes we need. Our friends may not know how to reassure us. Counselling can be a safe place to uncover these feelings, find new ways to appreciate yourself, and rediscover confidence.

Mary Munro, MaryMunro.ca

Review Digital Contracts/Cyber Security

After summer, it’s typical for us to consider new tech devices for back-to-school or work requirements. As a result, it’s an opportune time to review all the subscriptions, apps, and user terms you’ve agreed to during the past year. Just as it is wise to review the status of any service fees and monthly debits once a year, it’s good to review renewable download agreements. Should you have younger tech users, it’s important to remind them about employing an antivirus program and practicing personal security habits to protect their privacy, especially when using social media.

Abakhan and Associates Inc., Abakhan.com

Pet Food for Thought

Choosing the right food for your pet is important. With so many choices, it’s hard to know which way to go! Here are a few fundamental facts about which choice to make: For ALL cats, food should be grain-free. Cats lack the digestive enzyme that metabolizes grains, which is why feline obesity, diabetes, and kidney failure are so common. Cats require wet food in their diet. Kibble is highly processed and does not come close to providing the necessary moisture an animal needs to live healthfully. Without this moisture, cats are prone to dehydration, urinary infections, and eventually kidney failure. Your pets deserve the best quality of life; they’re family!

Serrapeptase, the Little Miracle Enzyme!

Serrapeptase is a proteolytic enzyme, which means it breaks down long protein chains into amino acids that the body needs. These enzymes bind to the alpha 2 macroglobulin in our plasma where it is shielded from the immune system while retaining its enzymatic activity. They are then free to roam through the blood stream seeking to break down hard protein (non-living tissue), fibrin surfaces, scar tissue, granuloma, and even thin out mucous to ease conditions such as chronic sinusitis. It’s been proven to be a safe and effective alternative to NSAIDs (NonSteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen) and should be taken on an empty stomach. The capsule must be a special DRcap (Delayed Release capsule) or enteric coated capsule that allows the Serrapeptase to pass through the stomach to the small intestine where the enzyme is then released.

Enerex Botanicals Ltd., Enerex.ca

Book Club: The Brain Diet

A nutritional plan for raising smarter children; improving your mental and physical well-being; and improving your odds against depression, anxiety, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, migraine headaches, ADHD, and more, as you age.

Clean Eating: Chicken Taco Avocados

Filling:

1 c. black beans, cooked
1 c. corn
1 c. shredded chicken
1 c. shredded cheddar, plus more for topping
1 package taco seasoning
2 tbsp. fresh cilantro, plus more for topping
3 ripe avocados.

Dressing:

1 c. ranch dressing
1/4 c. lime juice
1 tbsp. fresh cilantro
1 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. black pepper.

Directions:

In a large bowl, stir and combine filling ingredients. Halve and separate avocados, removing pit and hollowing out insides. Mash insides in a small bowl and set aside. Place avocados face up and fill each with 1/3 cup of filling. Sprinkle with more cheddar, then broil until melted. In a medium bowl, combine dressing ingredients. Fold in mashed avocados and mix until smooth. Remove from oven and transfer to serving dish. Drizzle with dressing and garnish with more cilantro, if desired.

Adapted from Delish.com

Back Health vs Backpack

Most of us, at some point, have worn a backpack. For some it was during school to carry dreaded textbooks to school. For others, they were worn for single- or multi-day hiking trips as we explored the outdoors and the world. How many of us were taught how to wear a backpack properly? Most of us know that we should wear a backpack on both shoulders but what about the waist belt? How much weight should we be carrying? Most school-aged kids are carrying more weight than they should. This can lead to spinal misalignment and bad posture, which can contribute to neck and back pain in the teenage and adult years. Younger kids should carry no more than 10% of their body weight while the rest of us should carry no more than 15% of our body weight. To keep your back healthy, watch your backpack weight!

Dr. Amber Kenmuir, D.C., Long Lake Chiropractic Centre, MySpine.ca

What Can a Holistic Nutritionist Do for You?

A holistic nutritionist interviews each person in depth and looks at them on a unique and individual basis to offer recommendations that will help them recover and re-establish optimal health. A foundational principle is that there is no one single diet for every person on the planet. A holistic nutritionist explores how diet, supplements, lifestyle choices, the health of the mind and spirituality all contribute to the onset or prevention of disease. Holistic nutrition practitioners aim to act as teachers and provide relevant, empirically based knowledge, support, and guidance so that their clients can make the best choices for their personal circumstances and goals.

Dona Bradley, R.H.N., Manager/CSNN Vancouver Island, csnn.ca/vancouverisland

Oils for Relaxation

Essential oils are amazing for enhancing relaxation. Simply smelling oils such as lavender, grapefruit, frankincense, neroli, cedarwood, or blends such as “Stress Away,” “Aromaease,” or “Deep Relief” can be enough to calm your nerves. You can add them to Epsom salts for a lovely bath, diffuse them, add your favorite to a spray bottle (plus water) and spray your linens. Try placing a drop on a cotton ball or clothes peg and placing it in your car vent. These are just a few ways to feel the beneficial effects of these pleasant aromas.

Denise MacKinnon, Young Living, Facebook.com/SimpleHealthIdeas