Community News
Relaxation: What’s That?

How often do we hear this? “The only time I relax is with a drink in my hand. My brain does not know how to slow down.” Diagnosed with anxiety, a recent client found counselling and group work to be highly stressful. “I’m always scared of what others will say or think!” She was always so tired that she barely had energy to complete daily tasks; yet, when she went to bed, she couldn’t sleep. Brainwave Optimization helped her feel relaxed for the first time in her life. By attending to her brain frequencies, she wasn’t stuck in fight-flight anymore. She was able to keep her food down and digest better. Her sleep came more easily without meds. She was calmer around others and felt less intimidated by them. She could hardly believe she could get to that point without having to try and figure out what was “wrong” with her.

Joanne Couture, RMFT, RSW, LaLobaTraumaRelease.com

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that cause progressive damage to the optic nerve, leading to a loss of peripheral vision. These diseases are dangerous, as most people do not have symptoms until a significant portion of their side vision has been affected. If not treated, they can lead to tunnel vision and possibly blindness. While there is no way to reverse the damage, early detection and treatment are the best way to protect your eyes. A comprehensive eye exam will include tests to detect and monitor glaucoma.

Dr. Ashley Britton, LREyeCare.ca

Aerobic Activity for Health

Do you get the recommended amount of physical activity every week? Adults should be getting at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity every week, or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity. Examples of moderate aerobic exercises include walking, swimming, and household chores such as mowing the lawn. Running, tennis, jumping rope, heavy gardening, and hiking uphill are examples of exercises classified as vigorous. Did you know that exercising regularly comes with many benefits? It can help you lose or maintain your current weight; decrease your risk for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer; increase muscle and bone strength; and improve mental health, as well as overall mood. If you do not currently have an exercise routine and need help starting one, give Prairie Trail Physiotherapy a call. We can help tailor a program to your current abilities and help you discover exercises you enjoy doing.

Kristi Hunter MPT, BSc, PrairieTrailPhysio.ca

Acupuncture for Migraines

Migraines and headaches can be treated with acupuncture, reducing the severity and frequency of occurrences. Acupuncture is a minimally invasive treatment with virtually no side effects. Hair-fine needles are inserted at specific points to increase blood flow in the affected meridians, which will reduce the severity and frequency of migraines. Migraine prevention is also important. If you are experiencing an imbalance in the nervous system, from high stress, hormone imbalances (e.g., if it occurs during a women’s menstrual cycle), or hypertension, an approach of balancing your organs and nervous system, along with migraine-specific points, is taken. Prevention would consist of stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system (rest, relax digestive system) and reducing muscle tension and soreness. These points are primarily located in the forearms and lower legs. A complete assessment followed by a prescribed course of acupuncture may reduce the severity and frequency of migraines and headaches.

Naomi Johnson, HeklaAcupuncture.com

Healthy Digestion is Key!

Healthy digestion has a key role to play in our day-to-day lives. We often take good digestive health for granted until there is a problem, at which point it can often send daily life into chaos. Your digestion affects how well your immune system functions, whether it be chronic colds or an autoimmune condition. It plays a role in how much inflammation your body is dealing with on a daily basis, which is a factor in arthritis or allergies. The research also shows that the health of your digestive tract can affect mental health and wellness. If you have some chronic, longstanding health issues and have a history of digestive issues, you could benefit from exploring the possible link with a licensed naturopathic doctor. Consider booking an appointment to share your story and explore what is possible!

Dr. Cory Storm, TheNatureDoctors.ca

Find Calm in Chaos

A great teacher once told us that a meditation practice is like weaving a parachute. Eventually, you will need it, and you don’t want to have to learn to weave on your way down. We take comfort in thinking we have control over most aspects of our lives, and in many cases, we do. But when something out of our control happens, it can send us on a downward spiral. Meditation is like parachute weaving, and floating helps you meditate with ease. We get it. Meditation can be difficult. You might even think meditation is boring. But we like to think, if you can’t spend 90 minutes with yourself, who else is going to want to? This is the reason self-care is such an important pillar of wellness. Because the only thing we truly have control over is ourselves. If you can find the calm, you can control the chaos. Brad Dauk, Floatcalm.com

Brad Dauk, Floatcalm.com

Grab Bars for Safety                                                                                                 

Whether it’s in the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, entranceways, or near the stairs, safety grab bars are a benefit to any home or office. They provide safety in areas like the bathroom and around stairs, where a majority of slips and falls occur. Safety grab bars can also be used for assistance when getting in and out of bed, or up and down from a chair or sofa. As we age, moving around can become more difficult. Grab bars are a great way to provide security within your home or office, while maintaining and promoting independence. Safety is a concern for every home and business owner, and safety grab bars are an efficient first step towards a safer home and work environment. If you are considering placing safety bars, always do your research, as there are many makes and models to fit a range of specific needs.

Renew Mobility, RenewMobility.ca

Fireworks Safety and Dogs

Fireworks can be fun for humans, and with all of the coming summer weekends, they are inevitable. Dogs don’t always hold the same enthusiasm, however. Here are some tips for helping your dog cope with fireworks season. Make sure your dog is wearing identification or has a microchip in case they run away. Keep your dog indoors during the fireworks, as far away as possible from the noise. Place a thick blanket over their kennel to help muffle the sounds. Make sure the kennel is in an area where they will not overheat. Make sure your dog is tired by nighttime when the fireworks begin. Lots of exercise may be necessary during the day. Give your dog something yummy to chew on in their kennel, such as a Kong toy filled with goodies.

Lisa Tustin, Professional Pet Services

Product Spotlight: Garden of Life

In today’s fast-paced world, even with the best intentions, having a nutritious meal is sometimes simply impossible. Instead of settling for a quick fix such as fast food, consider a whole-food nutritional shake. Garden of Life’s RAW All-In-One Nutritional Shake provides a convenient way to achieve optimal nutrition! When it comes to whole-food nutritional shakes, USDA Certified Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified sources are of utmost importance to limit unnecessary exposure to toxic chemicals such as fertilizers, pesticides, and GMO products. Garden of Life’s RAW All-In-One Nutritional Shake is currently the only plant-based nutritional shake in Canada to have the dual certification. This delicious shake comes packed with 44 superfoods; 20 grams of plant-based, Certified USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified protein; 21 whole-food vitamins and minerals; and less than 1 gram of sugar. It is also Certified Vegan, Certified Gluten Free, Informed-Choice Clean for Sport Certified, and Kosher.

Nathan Zassman, Aviva Health, AvivaHealth.com

Product Spotlight: Pure Anada

Summer is the perfect time to change up your beauty routine! Often, our skin improves as the humidity increases. For that reason, it’s best to keep things simple with a lightweight foundation. Pure Anada Tinted Moisturizer is great for normal to dry skin types. Its nourishing formula includes pomegranate and rosehip oil, and provides a sheer, radiant finish to give you a natural summer glow. If you struggle with oily skin, Pure Anada pressed mineral foundation is best, since it includes oil-absorbing minerals. A cheek colour is always beautiful in summer. Don’t neglect it! With shades named after flowers – Dahlia, Sweet Pea, Lotus, and Zinnia – you are bound to find a Pure Anada blush to love. A touch of sheer lip gloss, like the Pure Anada Berry Bliss Lip shines, will top off your carefree summer look.

Nathan Zassman, Aviva Health, AvivaHealth.com

Family Summer Camp

I Am Events, the not-for-profit organization responsible for the I Am Festival, brings a full weekend experience to families this summer on August 11-13th! I Am Family Camp brings together an impressive group of experts, ranging from family health practitioners, musicians, business leaders, and coaches.  Highlights include Canadian icon Fred Penner, who will open the event with a fireside chat and acoustic performance; Kellie Johnsen, a certified family and youth coach from Hawaii, who will host sessions that include a discovery workshop for family values and an improv workshop on communication; and Winnipeg mindfulness expert, musician, and yoga instructor, Keith Macpherson, who will join the group leading meditation and a youth session on creative expression. If you’re looking for a new way to create connections and memories with your family this summer, register for I Am Family Camp. There is a limit of 50 spots and registration is now open.

I Am Festival, Iamfesitval.net/familycamp