It’s important to have a good relationship with your pharmacist, as they are a valuable source of information and can help you make decisions on and better understand your medications and overall health. A good rule of thumb when it comes to determining what kind of relationship you have with your pharmacist is whether you know them by their first name. Pharmacists who offer a more personal experience can provide more individualized, specific information on your prescriptions. Your pharmacist should be available to answer questions you have and to explain in detail any medications you are taking for the first time.
Community News
Reducing Anxiety with B Vitamins
There are a number of nutrients that are important when it comes to reducing anxiety levels. Consider the B Vitamins. Vitamin B1 is important for balancing blood sugar levels, which are a significant factor in anxiety stress levels. Vitamin B3 plays a crucial role in the synthesis of serotonin and has been shown to help anxiety. Vitamin B5 supports the adrenal glands, which reduces stress and anxiety levels. Vitamin B9 (folic acid), and B12 are important in balancing out depressive moods. It is always a good idea to take a good B complex alongside individual B vitamins, as they work synergistically.
Letting Go of Stress
Did you know stress is energy-based and one cannot see stress in the body under a microscope? We can only see the effects of stress and what it does to the body and mind. Never relaxing fully, never truly breathing deeply – your body is unable to go into parasympathetic mode, which means there is no healing and no digesting. What are you doing daily to allow your body to de-stress? Bars sessions are like cleaning out the hard drive of your brain to be more in the now and to think clearer. Are you ready to let go of stress now?
Early Intervention
Muscle strains can happen anytime and anywhere – at work, while playing recreational sports, or when performing home and garden chores. So how soon after a strain should you start physiotherapy? A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found the average time to return to physical activity was 21 days sooner in individuals who started physiotherapy two days after their injury! By not seeking early intervention, you run the risk of an injury becoming chronic (which makes it more difficult to treat), and waiting longer to return to normal activity.
Avoid Slips and Falls
As the weather gets nicer, we become more active outdoors, going for runs or long walks. Here are a few tricks to decrease your chance of injury when you’re out and about.
When taking a step, instead of having the foot far in front of your body, try taking a smaller step so the foot stays closer to your body. This keeps your body perpendicular to the ground and allows for a more stable base. Practice balance exercises, and strengthen your hips and core, to keep your body strong and able to react to changes in your centre of gravity.
Celebrating Women
May is a month to celebrate women. Take a moment to breathe and just be. So much time is spent doing. You deserve your time too. Here are a few suggestions. Get more rest, whether it’s by taking naps or relaxing on the couch with a good book. Aim for five to ten servings of fruits/veggies a day; the fresher, the better. Talk with friends and take time to listen to their advice. A fresh perspective can be lovely. And of course, a little bit of exercise every day can make your body happy. You’ll thank yourself!
Do You Need to Take Vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12 plays an essential role in red blood cell formation, nerve function, cell metabolism and DNA production. It can be found in meat, poultry, fish and dairy, or as a supplement. Your body can store vitamin B12 for many years so most individuals will not have a B12 deficiency. However, the following people may be more prone to deficiency: vegetarians/vegans, older adults, or people with digestive tract conditions that affect the absorption of nutrients. Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to fatigue, anemia, muscle weakness, intestinal problems, nerve damage, and mood disturbances. Visit your physician or pharmacist to discuss whether you should be taking a vitamin B12 supplement.
Garden Guru
Want to get the most out of your garden this year? Here are a few tips passed down through the years. When planting your seeds, always plant three in a hill: one for the good, one for the crow, and one to grow. Plant crops that grow above ground during a waxing moon, and plant crops that grow below ground on a waning moon. A homemade pesticide can be made from tobacco to spray your plants. And lastly, some have found that burying a piece of iron beside your roses will make them more fragrant. If it worked for our grandparents maybe it’ll work for us too!
Living an Intentional Life
Mind, body, and soul work together to make the best of our lives. Innate health and natural talent is amazing; however, it’s also necessary to be intentional. We need to put in the effort to care for each part of our being. Medical check-ups and dentist appointments are well embedded in our lives. Other expressions of healthy living, such as yoga and psychotherapy, have gained ground because they truly enhance our lives. This makes us stronger and more resilient. What are you doing in the studio of your mind, body, and soul to make the best of your life?
Learning-Related Vision Disorders
While 20/20 vision is a great start, our vision is also related to how well our eyes work together with our brain to process visual information. Many children who suffer with vision problems can go undiagnosed since learning-related vision disorders may not be revealed through a regular eye exam. Lack of eye movement control, focusing difficulties, poor visual memory, and much more can make learning seem overwhelming. Without fundamental visual skills, children may have more difficulty with reading, writing, and comprehension at school. A developmental optometrist diagnoses and provides treatment options for learning-related vision disorders.
Reduce Your Risk of Falling
Losing balance comes naturally with age. But as we age, the consequences of a fall becomes more serious. In fact, complications from a fall are the leading cause of injury and death among seniors aged 65 and older, and the risk of falls increases proportionately with age. At 80 years, over half of seniors fall annually. Voxx HPT socks and insoles will help improve your balance, providing an 8X reduction in fall risk! By reducing injury risk, seniors will have more confidence and freedom in day to day activities.
