Iron deficiency knows no boundaries – from women (it is estimated that up to 26% of reproductive aged women are iron deficient), to athletes, the elderly, and vegetarians – shortage of this mineral is widespread. Iron is an essential element for the body, and when it’s low, energy levels decrease. Other tell-tale symptoms include: weakness, pale skin, dark under-eye circles, brittle hair and nails, shortness of breath, and cold hands and feet. Think you may be deficient? Try a natural liquid iron supplement. It will help fight back against iron deficiency by promoting the formation of healthy red blood cells.

Urinary tract infections are the second most common infection, instigating millions of doctor visits per year. Most affected are women but about 12% of men will get a UTI, and it usually reoccurs. In looking at urinary tract health, clinical studies have shown that hibiscus flower and whole cranberry reduce the ability of E.coli to adhere to the urinary tract and enter cells, therefore preventing recurrence and lessening antibiotic use. Adding probiotics like the shelf stable Friendly Trio to rebalance bacteria, and antioxidant minerals zinc & selenium synergistically help to eliminate yeast infections that can accompany UTIs, especially following antibiotics.

Whether used in a bath, applied to your skin, in a tea, ingested, or inhaled as steam, few plants can help you relax in as many ways as lavender. As well as providing you with lots of good stuff like Vitamin A, calcium, and iron, lavender is often used to reduce anxiety, fatigue and nervousness. Naturally, it also works very well as a cure for insomnia, helping to lower the heart rate and breathing rate so that you can achieve optimum sleep conditions faster than usual.

Curling is a great way to pass time during a long Canadian winter. Warm up with some cardiovascular activities before your dynamic stretches to increase your body temperature. Proper equipment can help to avoid injury. A slider and gripper will help to prevent falls, which account for the majority of curling injuries. You may want to consider wearing a helmet if you are new to the sport. Off of the ice you should work on strengthening your core, buttocks, and shoulders, as well as stretching your hip flexors, hamstrings, quadriceps, and calf muscles. See you at the next Brier!

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones.

No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving–every day. If you’re having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn’t you. The problem is your system. James Clear, one of the world’s leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.

The first step is to determine your heath goals through a yoga consultation, and then decide if therapeutic yoga is right for you. Since the practice of therapeutic yoga is modified to suit the individual, the person does not need to meet any requirements of fitness, age, or health to start practicing. Common benefits experienced by many students include improvement in quality of sleep, elimination of pain, and reduction in stress. As teachers, we are instructing our students on how to support the functioning of their parasympathetic nervous system, which in turn supports healing.

Stress is a commonality we all share. Interestingly, a lot of people are so stressed that they don’t know what the absence of stress, or a calm mind feels like. Take a moment and check yourself. Are your fists clenched? Shoulders riding high? Teeth clenched? Tongue touching the roof of your mouth? These are but a few stress-hold positions to take note of. Your body is communicating. Making self-care a priority, and getting proper sleep and nutrition, practicing meditation, mindfulness, deep breathing, and systematic muscle relaxation, you will find your body relaxing, and foster a better response to future stressors

Most of the people who read this will have suffered a headache. The most common type of headache and one that generally responds well to physiotherapy treatment is called a cervicogenic headache. Physiotherapists can help address some of the key causes of cervicogenic headaches. The major contributing factors include poor posture, stiffness of the joints in the neck and upper back, muscle imbalances (muscle tightness and weakness), and previous neck trauma (whiplash, sports injury). Treatment methods include neck mobilizations, modalities, soft tissue/trigger point release, acupuncture, and home exercises. So, if you suffer from headaches, see a physiotherapist!