Community News
What Causes Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat relax too much to allow normal breathing. When the muscles relax, your airway narrows as you inhale, and breathing may be inadequate for 10 seconds or longer. Your brain senses this impaired breathing and briefly rouses you from sleep so that you can reopen your airway. You may make a snorting, choking or gasping sound. You are more at risk for developing sleep apnea if you are overweight, an adult male, use drugs or alcohol, are a smoker, have a family history of sleep apnea, or if you have a certain medical condition such as Type 2 Diabetes.

Coping with Seasonal Depression

Winter’s shorter days can take a toll on mood and energy, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Seasonal depression is real, and there are ways to tackle it that make a difference. Start by getting outside as much as you can to soak up natural light—even a few minutes can help lift your spirits. Light therapy lamps can also be a great option when the sun is scarce. Staying active is another powerful tool, as exercise releases endorphins that boost mood. Connecting with friends, finding meaningful activities, sticking to a sleep routine, and eating well all play a role in keeping your mental health on track.

Why Hire an End-of-Life Doula?

An end-of-life doula offers compassionate, holistic support to individuals and families during the deeply personal journey of dying. Unlike medical providers, doulas are dedicated to creating a comforting, personalized experience that honors each person’s unique needs and wishes. They assist with life reviews, helping individuals reflect on and celebrate their lives, and can organize living funerals—special gatherings where loved ones can come together to share memories and gratitude while the person is still present. Doulas also facilitate conversations around final wishes and provide a non-judgmental, supportive presence. By easing fears around death and offering a space for closure, end-of-life doulas bring dignity, meaning, and a sense of fulfillment to life’s final chapter.

Give the Gift of Energy Healing

With so many juggling family gatherings, gift-buying, and travel, a Reiki healing session can be a perfect, thoughtful gift for loved ones needing rejuvenation. Rooted in Japanese tradition, Reiki involves the transfer of universal life force energy through the practitioner’s hands to the recipient. By offering Reiki, one shares not just a momentary experience but a pathway to inner harmony. The energy transferred can alleviate stress, encourage clarity, and catalyze the body’s self-healing mechanisms. Energy healing can be a meaningful experience, helping people recharge and enter the New Year revitalized.

Rejuvenate with Sound Healing

Escaping the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is a gift to yourself. A sound bath meditation offers the perfect retreat, helping you reconnect and recharge. As soothing sounds wash over you, stress fades, and a deep sense of relaxation takes over. This calming practice quiets the mind and nurtures the spirit, providing a powerful way to restore inner peace. With renewed energy, you’ll approach the season with greater ease, joy, and balance. Ideal for anyone seeking a gentle yet effective way to rejuvenate, a sound bath offers a peaceful escape from the holiday stress.

Avoid the Winter Blues

The Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines suggest adults should perform at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per week, as well as two sessions of muscle and bone strengthening activities, to achieve physical AND mental health benefits. With winter coming, and the challenges of leaving home, this can seem daunting! Your physiotherapist can tailor an exercise program designed specifically for you to do inside with minimal space (to help avoid the cold weather!), and with equipment everyone has around their home. At 30 minutes per day, the benefits of exercise are countless, while the side effects are minimal.

Handling The Holidays

Whatever holiday you celebrate this season, even if you’re surrounded by family and friends, it can be stressful. Making sure that your body and mind can handle stress is the best gift that you can give yourself. One of the best ways to improve your overall health and stress-handling ability is through Bioenergetics. Bioenergetics uses computerized testing and treatment to effectively determine and treat any imbalance or weakness in the body that is preventing you from achieving both optimal stress management and improved health. This holiday season, make sure that stress isn’t an unwanted gift that you can’t give back.

Clean Eating Recipe

Protein Peppermint Bark: Dark Chocolate Layer: 2 c. Greek yogurt. 1/4 c. maple syrup. 1 ½ tsp. peppermint extract. 1/4 c. dark cocoa powder. Stir to combine. Spread the mixture onto lined baking sheet. Freeze 30 min. White Peppermint Layer: 2 c. Greek yogurt; 1/4 cup maple syrup. 1 tsp peppermint extract; ½ tsp vanilla. Stir to combine. Spread the white layer over the frozen chocolate layer and freeze for 3 hours. Break into bite-size portions and enjoy!

Renew & Recharge for the New Year

As the holiday season and New Year approach, it’s the perfect time to prioritize wellness. Incorporating Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy into your healthcare routine can be a game-changer for managing seasonal stress, fatigue, and overall well-being. PEMF therapy works by stimulating cellular function, which enhances natural healing, improves sleep, and boosts energy levels—essential during the busy holiday period. This non-invasive therapy can also help reduce inflammation and relieve chronic pain, offering a fresh start to the new year. Embrace PEMF therapy as a proactive approach to self-care and feel renewed and resilient all season long.