Maybe your kids are gone, a career change or bankruptcy? You’re feeling new aches. Time is speeding-up. There’s lots you want to do. It’s overwhelming! How can you maintain your youthfulness and live life to the fullest, energetically, passionately? It’s time to step back and GET INSPIRED AGAIN. Believe your second fifty can be the most exciting part of your life. Limiting beliefs get passed down by family, friends, teachers, religious leaders, politicians, health practitioners, celebrities. Beliefs can change.
Laurent Goldstein, Award Winning Producer, “Your Second Fifty”, OnaScaleof1to10Film.com/events
Community News
Have You Suffered a Concussion?
We are hearing a lot about concussions these days. Most often the talks center around athletes but did you know that anyone can get a concussion, and that you don’t need to suffer a direct blow to the head to get one? A bad fall or a car accident is enough to cause a concussion. Concussions are a form of traumatic brain injury that if not cared for properly, may have long term effects on a person. Want to know the signs to look for and how to recover properly? Come check out our next health night to learn more!
Dr. Amber Kenmuir, D.C., Long Lake Chiropractic, MySpine.ca
Benefits of Independent Living
Wouldn’t it be nice to have meals prepared for you, be free from chores and have the company of others while enjoying organized activities? If the response is yes, then Independent Living might be what you are looking for. Independent Living can offer wonderful support and services in a safe and secure residence. Most people who live in Independent Living get to enjoy the privacy of having their own apartment, and the perk of daily activities, nutritional meals prepared in-house and served in a dining room, weekly housekeeping, and an emergency response system for your safety and security. Dawn Stocks, Site Manager, LaRosaGardens.ca
Teaching Gambling Sense to Children
Gambling in the 21st Century has become a sophisticated, and in some cases, a more subtle wagering activity. The Responsible & Problem Gambling Program and the Centre for Addictions Research have partnered to create lesson plans for the BC’s new K-12 curriculum. Teachings include themes such as: 1 Every human society appears to have accepted gambling in some form; 2 Gambling can be fun but can also lead to significant harm; 3 As humans, we need to learn how to manage gambling and; 4 We can learn how to control gambling by examining the different ways people have thought about it, engaging in critical self-reflection and listening to each other.
Karen Hlady, Community Engagement & Prevention Service Provider, BCResponsibleGambling.ca
Active Programs for the Whole Family
We hope that one of your healthy habits for 2018 includes being more active. If so, please take a moment this month to check out the City of Nanaimo Activity Guide which has programs for every family member starting in January. It is available online or pick up a copy at our recreation centres. From all of us here at Parks and Recreation, we wish you and your family a happy, healthy and active new year.
City of Nanaimo, Nanaimo.ca
What Diet to Choose?
In the 1830s Presbyterian minister Sylvester Graham touted a vegetarian diet that excluded spices, condiments and alcohol. There was the grapefruit diet of the 1930s, the cabbage-soup diet of the 1950s and at the turn of the 20th century, American President William Howard Taft adopted a diet of low fat, low calorie, after he got stuck in a White House bathtub! It also became fashionable to chew food until liquefied, sometimes up to 722 times before swallowing! In the 1960s housewife, and ‘Weight Watchers’ originator Jean Nidetch, began weekly support meetings after struggling with her cookie addiction. What most of these diets had in common was the idea that to lose weight you should eat fewer calories. However, this doesn’t account for the specific dietary needs of the dieter. Your best bet is to find a diet that works for you, not the diet that works for your neighbour!
Light the Weigh Wellness Centre, LightWeighWellness.com
A Neighbour Who Cares
We recently received a phone call at the office. The conversation went like this:
Caller: Do you have a service where you call seniors everyday?
Reply: Yes, we do it is called “Friendly Phones”.
Caller: What is the cost for this program?
Reply: It is a Free Service.
Caller: Can anyone get on the list?
Reply: Yes, you just have to come into our office.
Caller: I have an elderly neighbour, who lives alone and would benefit from having a Friendly Phone Call.
Reply: Great please come into the office. It is such a thoughtful and kind act to ensure that your elderly neighbour is safe and cared for.
Shortly thereafter, two men walked in to sign up. Do you know someone?
Sarah Davidge, SouthCowichanCommunityPolicing.ca
Fall Prevention Tips
Falls in the home are all too common. By making a few modifications to slippery floors, poor lighting, loose rugs, electrical cords and clutter, you can prevent dangerous situations. Visit each room in your home. Then look at the space objectively and ask: Is this safe? Are there objects or items that present a fall risk? If so, think about the many ways to create a safer home: wear non slip socks or slippers, use night lights in dark hallways, remove throw rugs, keep electrical cords safely hidden behind furniture and organize your projects so they are off the floor and out of walkways.
Denise Metcalfe, ED, ComoxValleyLifeline.com
Healthy Lifestyle Reboot
The Christmas season can be hard on our resolve to maintain a healthy lifestyle. We tend to overeat, indulge in sweets and drink a little more alcohol than normal. Let’s face it, the holidays puts a strain on us and our body’s natural ability to fight toxins. To help your body recover from the holidays, eat healthy foods loaded with antioxidants, phytochemicals and valuable nutrients. These will detox your system and help you feel refreshed for the start of a new year. You may also want to consider adding supplements. Your local health food store can help you chose the best ones for you.
Sherry Andrews, Owner, Essential Remedies, EssentialRemedies.ca
Teaching Gambling Sense to Children
Gambling in the 21st Century has become a sophisticated, and in some cases, a more subtle wagering activity. The Responsible & Problem Gambling Program and the Centre for Addictions Research have partnered to create lesson plans for the BC’s new K-12 curriculum. Teachings include themes such as: 1 Every human society appears to have accepted gambling in some form; 2 Gambling can be fun but can also lead to significant harm; 3 As humans, we need to learn how to manage gambling and; 4 We can learn how to control gambling by examining the different ways people have thought about it, engaging in critical self-reflection and listening to each other.
Karen Hlady, Community Engagement & Prevention Service Provider, BCResponsibleGambling.ca
Keep Your Home Healthy this Winter
“Close the door, you are letting in the cold air”. Our homes are built to be energy efficient and we diligently seal any cracks that may be allowing cold drafts into the house. Unfortunately, this also seals off our home from fresh air. In turn this increases the concentration of VOCs from the use of cleaning products, traditional air fresheners and scented personal products. To keep your air healthy, try unscented products, add certain indoor plants and open windows when seasonally possible. There are also a growing number of natural, scent-free air fresheners that absorb both odours and chemicals.
