If you have a hearing loss, attending family gatherings with many people can be stressful. Here are three tips to ensure a sound-filled holiday season. 1. Spend time with family members one-on-one. 2. Try to sit next to someone who will be willing to keep you in on the conversation if you miss anything that has been said. 3. Book a check of your hearing aids before the holiday season starts to ensure they are working their best. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the laughter of your kids, grandkids, or family members as they open presents or sit around the table. Happy Holidays!
Community News
December Book Club
Lighter: Let Go of the Past, Connect With the Present, and Expand the Future. #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER: An empathetic and wise book that will guide you on a journey toward a deeper understanding of self. In Lighter, Yung Pueblo demonstrates how we can all move forward in our healing, from learning self-compassion to letting go to becoming emotionally mature.
Mindful Moments This Holiday
The holidays can be joyful, but they often bring stress, especially around family gatherings. Expectations, busy schedules, and emotional triggers can leave us feeling drained instead of delighted. Practicing mindfulness helps us stay grounded in the present moment. Take a few deep breaths before responding, listen with compassion, and release the need for perfection. Remember, it’s not about creating a flawless holiday, but about being fully present with those you love. Give yourself permission to slow down, find gratitude in small moments, and approach each interaction with kindness…for others and for yourself. That’s the true spirit of the season.
The Power of saying NO!
The ability to say NO is an integral part of our wellness and self-care. Many of us have learned that saying no is “wrong” and worry it leads to criticism and people not liking us. When we feel compelled to say yes, even when it’s not in our best or highest interest out of duty, approval, niceness or fear of rejection, we dis-honor and rob ourselves of being fully authentic and begin building up resentments. When we dare to speak our truth and say NO we choose YES sincerely from an open heart and enthusiasm. People learn to trust exactly where they stand with you… both in your no’s and yes’s.
The Green Book of Life
Today we want green and healthy lifestyles and to be better stewards of our planet. We look for nutritious foods, relaxation techniques, and renewable products to accomplish this. Yet all of
this only addresses the physical aspects of life when in fact we are also spiritual beings. The “Grail Message” teaches us about the cosmic laws that not only govern nature but all of Creation and our place and responsibility as we journey through life. This “green” book reveals the true meaning of life and opens the door to true happiness and lasting inner peace.
Finding Calm This Holiday Season
Reiki can be a calming and supportive practice for easing holiday anxiety. During the busy season, emotions often run high, and Reiki helps restore balance by promoting relaxation and grounding. Through gentle, hands-on or distance energy work, Reiki encourages the body’s natural ability to release tension and emotional stress. Many people report feeling lighter, more centered, and peaceful after a session. It can also enhance mindfulness, helping you stay present amid the chaos of gatherings, travel, and expectations. Whether received from a practitioner or practiced for self-care, Reiki offers a simple, nurturing way to reconnect with calm during the holidays.
Nutrient Therapy for Mental Wellness
At Uptown Integrative Health, we take an individualized approach to mental wellness that recognizes the strong connection between nutrient biochemistry and brain function. The Walsh Protocol, developed by Dr. William Walsh, is one evidence-informed framework we may use to identify biochemical imbalances contributing to anxiety, depression, ADHD, and mood dysregulation. This method includes targeted nutrient testing to assess methylation, zinc–copper balance, B6 levels, and oxidative stress—key factors influencing neurotransmitters. Treatment is personalized and may include specific vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Combined with counseling, lifestyle support, and mind-body therapies, this integrative approach aims to promote stable mood, focus, and long-term resilience.
Holiday Denture Care
Taking care of your dentures during the holidays is important, especially with all the tempting sweets and festive foods around. Too much sugar can lead to bacteria buildup and gum irritation, even for denture wearers. Be mindful of sticky or hard treats that can damage or loosen your dentures. After meals, remove and rinse your dentures to wash away food particles, and clean them thoroughly each night using a denture brush and cleanser. Remember to soak them overnight in a denture solution to keep them fresh and properly shaped. Enjoy the celebrations, but maintain your oral hygiene routine for a healthy, confident smile.
You’re Not Alone This Holiday Season
While many of us look forward to spending quality time with family and friends during the holidays, it can also be an overwhelming time – especially for people living with dementia and their care partners.
This holiday season, the Alzheimer Society wants to remind you that you are not alone. If you need guidance, reassurance or a listening ear, the Society is here for you and can help you navigate any challenges you’re facing.
Connect anytime by emailing [email protected] or calling 204-943-6622 or 1-800-378-6699. For more helpful information, visit alzheimer.mb.ca.
Giving Accessibility This Christmas
This Christmas, consider giving the gift of safety, comfort, and independence with an accessible bathtub or shower conversion. Total Tub, a Manitoba-based company, specializes in high-quality Canadian-made bathroom accessibility solutions, including Quick Tub® shower conversions, grab bars, railings, and wall-mounted benches. These upgrades promote independent living and help reduce the risk of slips and falls as 80% of which occur in the bathroom. As licensed installers and authorized dealers, Total Tub provides OBC/AODA-compliant products for both homes and businesses. Locally owned and operated, they’re small enough to listen, big enough to deliver – making accessibility the perfect gift that truly lasts.
Handling Holiday Stress
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.
