Self-isolation means fewer opportunities to be physically active if you are used to going to the gym or playing sports. Equally worryingly, the home environment also offers abundant opportunity to be sedentary. Exercise can help keep our immune system strong, and our bodies less susceptible to infections. So, what should we do? Alternate periods of sitting with standing by creating your own stand-up desk area. Try a yoga class on YouTube to stretch and relieve tension from your muscles. Get some work done in the garden or yard or play with your dog. It’s also a great time to try an online work out! Ask if your local gym offers this service.
Community News
Preventing Screen-Related Eye Strain
Most of us spend a lot of time on computers and other digital devices, and this can take a toll on our eyesight in the form of computer vision syndrome. This is a temporary vision condition that results from staring at a screen too long. Although you may wear regular glasses to correct vision problems, they are not the same as computer glasses, which can help with computer vision syndrome. Wearing prescription or non-prescription computer glasses, along with taking frequent breaks from looking at a screen, can help reduce eye strain and prevent related problems like headaches and dry eyes.
Community Announcement
At Anderson Family Vision Care, the health and safety of our patients and staff are top priority. As such, our optometrists will temporarily only be seeing urgent and emergent care cases (eye trauma, vision loss, pain, and redness). Our opticians will also accept appointments on a case-by-case basis to limit the number of patients at any given time. To help our patients, we are offering: free contact lens shipment directly from our suppliers, and 25% off computer glasses. We are also accepting payments by e-transfer, or over the phone with a credit card. We look forward to hearing from you! Dr. Matthew Anderson, OD, FCOVD Dr. Andrea D’Mello, OD AndersonVisionCare.ca
Wellness Tea of the Month
IMMUNE BOOSTER Rooibos Tea. Our Immune booster rooibos tea is packed full of vitamin C and infection-fighting properties. Enjoy this antioxidant-rich tea blend of delicious orange fruit and peels combined with the anti-microbial properties of rosemary. We design this blend with three simple ingredients that will protect your body from oxidative damage and inflammation. Rooibos tea is free from caffeine, which may make it a good option for pregnant people, children, and those who are sensitive to caffeine. Makes for a healthy and healing quarantine companion.
Home Remedy for Denture Pain
Sometimes dentures can cause pain or discomfort, especially if your dentures are old or ill-fitting. Did you know that cloves are an excellent remedy for oral pain? Eugenol, the main ingredient in cloves has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Thus, it works as a pain reliever and helps disinfect your mouth. Grind a few cloves to get ½ teaspoon of powder. Mix a few drops of olive oil into the ground cloves. Apply it onto your sore gum. Wait 5 minutes, and then rinse with warm water. Repeat 2 times per day until gum feels better.
Product Review: WELLNESS TINCTURE
ACTIVE RELEAF aims to encourage active wellness through the use of nature’s most powerful ingredients. Offering a collection of plant-based wellness products, ACTIVE RELEAF’s WELLNESS TINCTURE is their strongest remedy. Used as a natural plant-based alternative for people experiencing anxiety, insomnia, pain, inflammation and other ailments. The WELLNESS TINCTURE is formulated with a high concentration of broad spectrum cannabinoid-rich hemp plant extract, paired with coconut MCT oil to help deliver cannabinoids and increase bioavailability. Taken sublingually (under the tongue) or mixed into your favourite beverage. With three different concentration options (400mg, 1000mg & 2000mg) and measured droppers, dosing is accurate and flexible for your needs.
Product Review: WELLNESS TINCTURE
ACTIVE RELEAF aims to encourage active wellness through the use of nature’s most powerful ingredients. Offering a collection of plant-based wellness products, ACTIVE RELEAF’s WELLNESS TINCTURE is their strongest remedy. Used as a natural plant-based alternative for people experiencing anxiety, insomnia, pain, inflammation and other ailments. The WELLNESS TINCTURE is formulated with a high concentration of broad spectrum cannabinoid-rich hemp plant extract, paired with coconut MCT oil to help deliver cannabinoids and increase bioavailability. Taken sublingually (under the tongue) or mixed into your favourite beverage. With three different concentration options (400mg, 1000mg & 2000mg) and measured droppers, dosing is accurate and flexible for your needs.
Words to Live By
“There is no failure except in no longer trying. There is no defeat except from within, no insurmountable barrier except our own inherent weakness of purpose.” -Elbert Hubbard
Fear of Falls Causes Unsafe Behavior
When someone is fearful of falling, they start to avoid everyday activities by staying at home and doing less. This lack of activity leads to loss of strength, reduced muscle tone, and loss of coordination and balance. This physical deterioration increases the risk of falling and if a fall does occur, it further heightens the fear. Turn your fear of falling into positive actions; remain active, exercise regularly, use assistive devices such as walkers or grab bars and wear sensible shoes. Consider joining a group session designed especially to teach balance exercises for fall prevention.
Wellness Tea of the Month
Prairie Berry is a delicious, fruity tisane blend of apple pieces, blueberries, hibiscus, rosehips, orange peels, blackberry leaves and cornflower petals. With the weather warming up, this fruit-filled tea makes a tasty iced beverage, but is equally delicious hot or cold. Blueberries and apples are the perfect combination of fibre, vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium and folate. Blueberries, blackberry leaves, rosehips, and hibiscus have powerful antioxidants; apples help maintain a healthy gut; and hibiscus helps lower your blood pressure. This is the perfect tea for providing you an all-around wellness boost whenever you need it!
Sleep Hygiene – Ending Insomnia
When insomnia is ongoing, try altering your sleep habits. There is ample clinical evidence supporting the effectiveness of a concept called Sleep Hygiene – recommendations that help with the specific aim of improving sleep quality. Even a few slight adjustments can help immensely. These can include having a bedtime routine and avoiding nicotine, caffeine and alcohol. Listen to soothing music, and schedule ‘worry’ time for the next day. Patients can phone Cerebra Health to get a sleep study sent directly to their home. The results are interpreted by a specialist at Cardio 1 Medical and the appropriate treatments are reviewed with each person one on one.
