The process of laughing increases your respiratory rate. The increased oxygen consumption causes you to enter a state of relaxation for a period of time.
Community News
Bathroom Safety for Dementia Patients
Dementia can make bathroom use challenging due to confusion, reduced balance, and difficulty recognizing hazards. Ensuring bathroom safety helps prevent falls and supports independence. Install grab bars near the toilet and shower, use non-slip mats, and keep pathways clear. Good lighting reduces disorientation, while contrasting colors on toilet seats or towels help with visual recognition. Remove clutter, secure loose rugs, and consider a raised toilet seat or shower chair for added stability. Clearly labeled doors and simple routines also reduce anxiety. Creating a calm, predictable environment promotes confidence and helps individuals with dementia remain safe during daily personal care.
New Year New You
The start of a new year invites reflection, renewal and a fresh sense of possibility. Reiki can support this shift by helping you feel grounded and clear as you set new intentions. This gentle practice encourages relaxation and allows the body to release tension and emotional strain. Many people feel lighter and more centered after a session, which can make personal growth feel more accessible. Reiki also fosters mindfulness, helping you tune into what you truly need as you move forward. Whether received from a practitioner or used as self care, Reiki offers a simple way to step into the year with calm and clarity.
Alzheimer’s Awareness Month
January is National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, and the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba wants everyone experiencing dementia to know that the Society is your path forward to community and connection.
Through the Society’s programs and education opportunities, they open the door to a community of people who truly understand. Whether through Minds in Motion, support groups, or simply meeting others on a similar path, the Alzheimer Society helps you build meaningful connections and feel supported every step of the way.
Throughout the month, the Society is sharing stories from Manitobans navigating dementia to increase understanding of the disease and highlight the impact of community support systems.
Emotional Regulation in Children
Helping children understand and manage their emotions is one of the strongest protective factors for lifelong wellbeing. When kids learn healthy regulation skills, they build resilience, strengthen relationships, and improve their overall mental health. Parents play a vital role—practicing strategies at home, noticing early signs of distress, and creating consistent routines. Mindfulness, yoga, sensory activities, music, and positive self-talk can all support emotional awareness and calm. Because every child’s needs are unique, setbacks are normal, and progress varies. When challenges arise, therapy can offer individualized tools to support both children and their caregivers in building confidence and emotional balance.
Book Club: The Mountain is You
Transforming Self-Sabotage into Self-Mastery by Brianna Wiest. Explores how conflicting inner needs create self-sabotage and resistance to change. By understanding our patterns, building emotional intelligence, and releasing past experiences, we learn to stop blocking our own progress. The book teaches us to act as our higher future selves so we can move toward our true potential.
Epigenetic Hair Follicle Analysis
Are you affected by a general feeling of being unwell? Do you suffer from low energy, aches and pains, poor concentration, or EMF toxicity, to name a few? Factors such as inadequate nutritional intake, toxins, chemicals, processed foods, and EMF’s can control gene expression and may affect tissue healing, functioning, and repair. The Cell-Wellbeing Epigenetic Hair Follicle Analysis uses genetic mapping technology to assess and identify 9 influencing factors that may impact your health. Your personalized report will recommend specific dietary changes, nutritional supplementation, and practical solutions for reducing the effects of environmental factors. This information will allow you to transform your health at the deepest levels.
Staying Safe in the Winter Months
Winter can be beautiful, but it also brings challenges for seniors’ safety and mobility. To prevent slips, wear proper footwear with good grip, and keep entryways dry and clutter-free. Dress warmly in layers, covering hands, feet, and head to avoid frostbite. Plan outings during daylight and check the forecast before heading out. Indoors, ensure heaters and smoke detectors work properly, and keep emergency contacts handy. Staying active and hydrated also helps maintain balance and energy. With thoughtful preparation, winter can be safe, cozy, and enjoyable. Visit www.hsewinnipeg.com for more helpful wellness tips this season.
Understanding Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting memory, thinking, and behavior. It develops gradually, beginning with mild forgetfulness and progressing to severe cognitive decline. More than half a million Canadians live with Alzheimer’s, and the number continues to rise as the population ages. While there is no cure, early diagnosis and lifestyle changes—like regular exercise, social engagement, and a healthy diet—can help slow progression and improve quality of life. Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging; it’s a brain disorder caused by abnormal protein buildup. Awareness, compassion, and research are key to supporting those affected.
Start 2026 with Uplifting Flowers
At the start of the year, flowers bring color, warmth, and life to winter’s darker days. Their vibrant presence brightens indoor spaces, creating a more uplifting and inviting atmosphere. Taking a moment to arrange or care for them offers a simple, calming break that eases stress and supports emotional well-being. Whether on a desk, bedside table, or shared as a thoughtful gift, fresh blooms bring comfort, connection, and a gentle boost to wellness as 2026 begins.
Dentures & Your Speech
Adjusting to new dentures—whether full or partial—can sometimes affect your speech temporarily. This adjustment period typically lasts a few days but may extend to a few weeks in some cases. The tongue, like other muscles in the body, has “memory” and may need time to adapt to its new environment. As you speak or read aloud, your tongue will gradually become accustomed to the changes in thickness, the acrylic material, the frame (in the case of partial dentures), and the placement and size of the teeth. With practice, your speech should return to normal. If speech difficulties persist beyond a few weeks, be sure to contact your denturist for assistance.
