Community News
Ask The Expert

Q. My New Year’s resolution is to take better care of my health. What do I need to do to maintain my eye health?
A. Nothing magical. Protect your eyes from the sun and other sources of UV light. Don’t smoke. Keep yourself healthy with diet and exercise, and make sure your family doctor is in the loop. Get your eyes examined – there are plenty of ways to optimize your vision and make your eyes feel more comfortable. Detecting a hidden eye disease or other health problem is another benefit of the examination.

Preventing Bunions

A bunion is a bump that forms on the side of the foot, by the big toe. Once thought to be caused by wearing pointed-toed shoes, bunions are now considered, in most cases, to be the result of fallen arches. Fallen arches cause a change in how the feet work and bunions are one of the possible symptoms. This means they can be prevented, if the foot arch is corrected early enough. It also means the bunion could return after surgery, if the cause of the bunion is not addressed. Custom orthotics are one component of an appropriate treatment plan for bunions.

Winter Health

Winter is the darkest, dampest, and coldest time of the year; however, this should not be construed as a bad thing. In nature, winter is a time of hibernation, and for people, it is a time of introspection. Some basic recommendations for winter to stay healthy are: dress appropriately (wool); eat cooked or warmed foods to counteract the cold temperatures outside (soups, stews); avoid copious amounts of raw vegetables, juices, or chilled foods and beverages; use spices like ginger or cinnamon; and sleep longer (go to bed earlier, wake up later).

Shield Yourself From Harmful EMF Pollution

For many years now, authoritative reports such as Bioinitiative 2007 & Bioinitiative 2012 have revealed the serious adverse health effects of certain prevalent electromagnetic fields (EMF). Some culprit emitters of much of the EMF pollution are not surprisingly the very devices we often purchase at high prices and are convinced we cannot live without. Even with self-discipline and lifestyle changes stemming from increased awareness of the problem, EMF pollution is relatively inescapable in our present society. Realizing this, more people are now also protecting themselves and their living/work spaces with EMF transmuting Shieldite(*TM) having proprietary Biometric Frequency Infusion Technology. Nelson Meggitt, OptimumWellnessFactor.ca

Every Breath You Take

Each of the 20 breaths you take per minute supplies essential oxygen to your body’s cells while dispelling carbon dioxide. This helps revitalize your entire body from the respiratory system to your digestive system. How you feel, your energy level, clarity of mind and mood is dependent on how well your bodily systems are functioning
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Breathing clean air that is free of unhealthy chemicals and gases helps maintain a healthy body and a happier mindset. Using products with activated charcoals in your home helps absorb odours and chemicals that prevent you from making every breath you take clean and revitalizing.

What Are Your Healthy Habits?

A healthy lifestyle is our BEST medicine. It is important to develop diligent daily activities that are enjoyable with music, friends, or alone. The secret to health and well-being is to personalize your routine of healthy habits to fulfill your needs and to change them when necessary to suit your individual liking/physical limitations. There is no shortcut. You either do it or you don’t. Think about what you can do that is fun, such as walking outdoors in nature, which is automatically calming and energizing, therefore making walking a good daily habit.

Exfoliate Naturally with Enzymes

What is an exfoliant? An exfoliant is a product that helps detach the outer layers of the skin, removing trapped debris and clearing the way for oils to flow naturally. Enzymatic exfoliation is a plant active based therapy, mainly from fruits. Why exfoliate? Exfoliation is an important tool against rough and dull skin. Also, dead cell proteins will clog the pores, increasing the chance of breakouts and acne. Enzymatic exfoliation is gentle and has anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it particularly good for sensitive skin. Enzymes work at a deeper level; improved smoothness and texture, and minimized lines and wrinkles result from regular enzyme exfoliation. Christopher Laidlaw, DMK Skincare, DmkSkinCentres.com

Singing to Your Baby

New parents often wonder how they can use music at home for their newborns, even if the parents don’t have any musical skills. Regardless of culture or place of birth, some aspects of childhood are universal. Lullabies were sung to us and all children sing, dance, and play rhyming games. That part of our lives may seem distant by the time we have children of our own, but there is a warehouse of songs, games, and music in our memories. Reconnect with the songs you once loved as a child and share them with your newborn. Your singing doesn’t have to be professional; it just has to come from your heart.

Get Your Mouth Checked!

An oral health exam is critical to the maintenance of your overall wellbeing. You should have your mouth checked at least once a year for prevention and treatment of any ailments. Even if you don’t have any live teeth, it’s important to make sure there are no signs of infections or early signs of cancer, growths, or cysts, and that your dentures are fitting you well. Leaving problems untreated usually leads to pain, periodontal disease, or tooth loss, and could make treatment more difficult, so it’s best to deal with problems early, or, if possible, prevent them.

3 Ways to Bio-Hack Your Health

1. Change your eating routine
Intermittent fasting is a great way to do this, and can be a way to lose weight, normalize insulin sensitivity, and balance hormones.
2. Ground yourself with nature
How often do you walk barefoot in the grass? Try grounding as your next bio-hack, as it can reduce inflammation by lowering stress on the body and can improve sleep.
3. Zone out
Meditation can be the ultimate brain hack if you do it regularly. If you feel that you can’t shut down your thoughts or stop your brain, try guided meditation.

Balanced Love

February brings love to mind, and that’s a good thing! Love creates, nourishes, rewards, and defines us. It affects how we communicate, both outwardly and inwardly. Influences from the parental, nurturing love of childhood; sexual intimate love of adulthood; demanding love of family and friends; and especially self-love might be out of balance and causing difficulties. Avoiding or suppressing old love issues clearly affects the present – your ‘baggage’.
Fortunately, even a small amount of awareness and acceptance about these love relationships can change the energy of a relationship. Don’t wait to connect with a counsellor.