One of the best ways to manage chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol is to make sure you’re taking your medications properly. SIMPL™ is a collection of services to help you manage your medications effectively and help you reach your health goals. Through SIMPL™ we can: Synchronize your prescriptions to be filled on the same day, provide blister packaging to ensure you never miss a dose, set medication reminders and provide medication reviews. Make your medications work for you with the SIMPL™ program. To find out more, speak to your Pharmasave Pharmacist today or visit SimplCare.com for more information about this program.

Emergency Lock Box
Have you ever asked yourself how could I be recused if my door was locked? Time is of essence during a fire or medical emergency. Install a Lock Box – a small weather-resistant metal box that securely holds a set of keys. Should an emergency occur while you are unable to open the door or get out of residence, Brandon Fire & Emergency Services can access your property without having to break in. Contact Brandon Seniors for Seniors Co-op Inc. office 204-571-2050 for more information. BrandonS4S.ca

Family Doctor Finder
It is sure difficult to find a Doctor these days. Look no further. Family Doctor Finder makes it easier for you and your family to find a team of healthcare professionals as part of home clinic that provides you with a base for your health care needs. Call 204-786-7111 or check out gov.mb.ca/health/familydoctorfinder for more information.

Donations Needed
Brandon Seniors for Seniors Co-op Inc. is looking for gently used medical equipment and assistive devices, such as Wheelchairs, Walkers, and Canes, to assist individuals in need. Donated equipment can have a significant positive impact on the quality of a person’s daily life. Please call 204-571-2050. BrandonS4S.ca

Help is Near
Victoria Lifeline, a medical alert service has been a valuable support system in our Community. Provide around the clock support and access to immediate assistance when you need it the most. All the personal help buttons are waterproof and designed to be worn in the bath or shower. Call Brandon Seniors for Seniors Co-op Inc. at 204-571-2053 to learn more. BrandonS4S.ca

You Are Not Alone
Are you caring for someone with Alzheimer Disease or related dementias? The Alzheimer Society encourages families living with dementia to connect with the Society for help and support. The number of Manitobans with dementia is soaring and Covid-19 has brought new challenges families must now face. Now offering virtual support groups for caregivers and people with dementia. 204-729-8320. alzheimer.mb.ca

The Book Shelf
This month some of the books available at the Brandon Senior for Seniors Co-op Library include authors Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlum, Michael Connelly, and Danielle Steele. Call 204-571-2053 and place your order for curbside pickup. NO cost, NO membership, NO late fees. When you are finished reading simply, return, keep or giveaway.  BrandonS4S.ca http://BrandonS4S.ca

Chase the Ace
The Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation’s new fundraiser, Chase the Ace, is in support of the Pumps for Life campaign. Pumps for Life is gearing up to raise $900,000 to purchase new infusion pumps for the Brandon Regional Health Centre. Visit ChaseTheAceBrandon.ca to try your luck and support a great cause.

Dinner is Served
If you or someone you know needs help with their meals, this is a great option for them. “Dinner is Served” is a healthy meal program by Brandon Seniors for Seniors Co-op Inc. For only $10.00 you will receive a complete home-cooked meal. Order as many meals as you wish on a Monday and they will be delivered on Friday for free by friendly volunteers. Check out the menu at website BrandonS4S.ca or call 204-571-2050 for more information. BrandonS4S.ca

Join the Club
The Brandon Seniors for Seniors Co-op Inc. is a fantastic place to meet people and learn new skills. Everyone is invited to get involved: games, puzzles, pole walking, buddy walking, computer training, yoga classes, line dancing, clogging, foot care, massage therapy, exercise classes, and a men’s club. Some other great benefits of joining; reduced rates when attending any programs, and a voice in the direction the organization takes to better our community. BrandonS4S.ca

1. What are the small spots called occasionally seen in your field of vision?
2. What is the more common term for odontalgia?
3. What does the word yoga mean?
4. What is the strongest muscle in the human body?
5. What unusual feature does a polydactyl cat have?
6. Working past age 65 is linked to a shorter life, a study found. TRUE or FALSE?

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. By 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. Wendy Omilanow

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, often goes unrecognized and untreated because there are no symptoms. Your pharmacist can help you reduce your risk for heart attack and stroke, by 1. Reviewing your medications, helping you take them as prescribed and managing potential side effects. 2. Teaching you how to use a blood pressure monitoring device properly and testing your blood pressure regularly. 3. Advising you how to maintain a healthy weight, and a diet that is low in sodium. and 4. Guiding you through a step-by-step quit smoking plan. Learn more about how to keep your blood pressure under control by speaking with your pharmacist.

Temporarily gone are the carefree days when we could meet our friends at the local coffee shop. In the absence of our normal ways of connecting with others, a friendly phone call can fill the gap and brighten our days. “Phone a Friend” is a new initiative by Brandon Seniors for Seniors Co-op Inc. and callers will be glad to call you as many days of the week as you like. Share your stories of your family history, travel adventures, or current weather and local resources. You will have someone to talk to as well as making a new friend. Call 204-571-2052 to sign up.

Floaters 2. Toothache 3. Union 4. Heart 5. Extra Toes 6. FALSE – it is linked to a longer life.

Five Cup Salad by Jean Lawrence. A delicious recipe that is easy to remember. 1.c Mandarin Oranges, 1c. Pineapple Chunks, 1 c. Coconut, 1 c. Sour Cream, 1 c. Miniature Marshmallows. Mix all ingredients together. Chill for 24 hours before serving. Pick up “Cooking Through the Covid-19 Pandemic” cookbook at Brandon Seniors for Seniors, 311 Park Ave. East for just $10.00.

“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” John Muir, Scottish-American naturalist and conservationist.

Stepping outside into the warmth of a spring day is one of the best moments of the year. After a long cold winter, those first few bursts of spring seem to rejuvenate our weather-worn souls. That mental health reboot is just one of the many benefits the great outdoors has to offer, and believe it or not, our ancestors have something to do with it.

There has been a growing field of research over the last thirty years on the interconnectedness between human health and nature, with a focus on ‘green exercise’. Green exercise is simply a physical activity that takes place in a natural setting or ‘green space’. For example, going for a bike ride along a nature trail or a leisurely walk through a neighborhood park would both classify as green exercise.

Of course, any form of exercise can be good for you, but what makes the ‘green’ in exercise so beneficial? To begin with, researchers theorize that humans have an innate affiliation with nature because we were shaped in part by our evolutionary environment. Simply put, our hunter-gatherer ancestors lived and fed off the land in a natural setting for thousands of years and that has left an imprint on our DNA.
A 2013 systematic research review on green exercise from the Journal of Extreme Physiology and Medicine affirmed that “the great outdoors has been a crucial part of human evolution, and it’s likely this reaches into modern attitudes towards nature, both conscious and unconscious.” Most people today live in urban settings surrounded by concrete, limiting contact with the restorative properties of nature. Driving in traffic on a noisy street stands in stark contrast to the way our ancestors lived in close proximity to nature. So if you’re walking along a wilderness trail this summer feeling happily at one with nature, take a moment to thank your ancestors!

Exercising outdoors can also be motivational, especially if your workout routine is feeling a little monotonous. Going green may be a great way to change things up. The 2013 journal article also showed that green exercise motivates people to be physically active by, “increasing enjoyment and escapism from everyday life.” Add in some sunlight and a little Vitamin D and you’ll find your mood improving with each step you take.

Furthermore, the article confirmed that exercise will actually feel easier when performed in a natural setting. “Green exercise reduces perceived effort and allows individuals to work at a higher intensity.” For example, if you’re jogging along a park trail, the pleasant environment can distract you from the task at hand, allowing you to jog longer or faster. I personally find running outdoors far preferable to indoors – I loathe treadmills but find running outside quite exhilarating.

The mental health benefits of the great outdoors are abundant and worth noting. In a Psychology Today article, psychologist Dr. Alan Fogel points out several advantages to green exercise, “it makes people happier, less fatigued and angry, more tranquil and relaxed, and bestows a more lasting energy boost compared to indoor exercise.” And even five minutes of green exercise (like walking across a beautiful campus or downtown park) can improve self-esteem and mood. Research has found the more connected you are to nature, the more life satisfaction you will have. Dr. Fogel explains, “Restorative environments have been shown to bring us more in touch with ourselves and remind us what is important in our lives.”

Ultimately, anyone can benefit from a green environment and what better time to enjoy the power of nature than the first bloom of spring. Victoria Lifeline’s GoSafe mobile pendant can help you feel safe and confident as you explore all the benefits of exercising outside. With advanced geo-location technology and industry-leading fall detection technology, GoSafe* is designed to quickly find you whether you are safe at home or out for a lovely afternoon walk. For more information on how this service can support your active lifestyle, visit victorialifeline.ca.

This article is meant to be informational and should not replace the advice of a trained healthcare professional.
GoSafe relies on cellular network availability.

Krystal Stokes is a Communications Manager with Victoria Lifeline, a community service of the Victoria General Hospital Foundation.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/nature-that-nurtures/