Community News
Goals vs. Intentions

How do you approach the new year? Do you set up goals? Do you make a list of all the things you want to acquire and achieve for the upcoming year? And how has that worked out for you? So whether it be to lose weight (again), promise yourself a change of job (again), or to become more organized (again), keeping true to these goals never seems to last. The truth is, most of us will do the same thing we always do: set some goals that will be forgotten about by the 7th January. So this year, let’s propose something different. Try approaching the new year with intentions instead of goals. Keep it simple. Limit it to one or two. When you create an intention and really feel what it is you want to achieve, you’ve already set it in motion. Watch closely as your intention becomes your new reality!

Carole Tetreault, Calder Healing House, shineyourlight.ca

Treating Bell’s Palsy

Bell’s palsy is a paralysis or weakness of the muscles on one side of your face. Damage to the facial nerve that controls muscles on one side of the face causes that side of your face to droop. The nerve damage may also affect your sense of taste and how you make tears and saliva. A special treatment protocol using micro-current was created specifically to treat Bell’s palsy and reverse its effects. The protocol involves a regular series of treatments that deliver a very low electrical current to the affected parts of the face. By recharging the electrical components of the cells, the face has the power to “lift” again, and paralyzed facial expressions “release” and regain a normal appearance. Because of the success of this protocol, it is also used a non-surgical facelift treatment. Unlike other electrical stimulating devices, the micro-current instrument delivers a healing current which is barely perceptible, and deeply relaxing. Many people fall asleep during the treatment.

Cheryl Fedeluk, CurrentExpressions.ca

Be Stress-Free with Reflexology

Stress is definitely something that we all deal with. Chronic stress affects us in so many ways and influences our healing on an emotional and physical level. For most of us, stress is caused by work situations, home situation, parenting, lack of money, car problems, loss of a loved one, or other possibilities like health issues or post-traumatic stress. Our sympathetic nervous system provides the fight-or-flight response to stress. Sympathetic nerve stimulation increases the heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate. The gastro-intestinal tract is affected, blood sugar can have fluctuations, and the adrenal glands become weakened and eventually exhausted. When you have a reflexology session, the parasympathetic nervous system is improved, and the body is brought back to a normal, relaxed functioning. When our body is relaxed and rested, this is when the healing happens.

Rositha Jeanson, Balance and Harmony, www.rositha.ca

Set Yourself up to Succeed

Every year, masses of people—maybe even you—choose a list of resolutions for the New Year. Generally, these are habits they will try to do every day or habits they will try to avoid for as long as they can. Unfortunately, many of these resolutions are gone by the wayside or forgotten by February. A major reason for this is that it’s deceivingly difficult to develop or deny ingrained habits ‘cold turkey’. Set yourself up to succeed: Set small, attainable goals, and add more steps as you complete each one. Remember to reward yourself. This way, you gradually work your way toward the life you want and the necessary changes and experiencing much more ‘success’ along the way. Short, measurable goals and smart resolutions will reduce stress and anxiety in the New Year. This, in turn, will build self-esteem helping you to have the courage for those long-term goals.

Patty Parsons, www.parsonstherapy.com

Head off the Pain

Headaches and migraines can be caused by a number of factors, including hormones, lack of water, illness, etc. In many cases tension build-up within the neck and shoulder muscles can cause and trigger headaches. By kneading and working those muscles, we can, over time, diminish, help manage, and relieve the tension causing those headaches to occur. Your massage therapist can also show you some stretches targeting those specific muscles to help lengthen them out to decrease pulling and strain at the base of skull and more. As well as a little mint oil and lavender oil can go a long way. Just blend a couple drops of the oils with coconut oil or another oil base and rub on your temples, forehead, neck, and shoulders for some relief.

Chelsea Nault, RMT, Soulful Instinct Massage Therapy

5 Ways to Detoxify Your Body

Did you know that performing regular body cleanses and detoxes are an easy route to health and healing? We are in constant contact with harmful organisms and pollutants. They’re in our water, in our food, in the air we breathe… it’s very difficult to get away from them. The source of many health issues is the toxins that have built up in our bodies over the years. Fortunately, there are ways to counteract some toxins and pollutants. You can help your body perform these processes with the help of regular cleansing. Here are 5 ways to detoxify your body: 1. Exercise – you can literally sweat your toxins away! 2. Try tongue scraping – tongue coating reflects metabolic debris. 3. Drink water – Just not from the tap! 4. Add detoxifying foods to your diet – think garlic, raw veggies, and fruits 5. Dry skin brushing – the skin is known to be responsible for 15% of total body elimination. Use a natural bristle brush to gently exfoliate and stimulate your skin.

Dean Dalman, Valhalla Automated Spa, www.valhallaautomatedspa.com

Digestive Issues? Try Acupuncture!

The health of our digestive system may not be the top of mind, often, until it is no longer healthy and then it is the most important thing we deal with on a daily basis. Normal bowel movements occur every day or every other day. Acupuncture can relieve constipation or diarrhea. By assessing your digestion and water metabolism, we determine which organ(s) are out of balance. For constipation, points are chosen to stimulate the colon, strengthen the function of digestion, and bring moisture to the intestinal tract. Or if it is an excess type, points are chosen to reduce heat in the stomach and intestines, and promote the function of the Large intestine. For diarrhea, the points chosen will relieve bowel movements that occur more than once a day; with foul, smelly, burning stools or undigested food; alternating diarrhea and constipation; is worse after eating; occurs only in the morning.

Naomi Johnson R.Ac., heklaacupuncture.com

The Fast Track to Weight Loss

If healthier habits and weight loss are among your new year’s resolutions, good for you for making health a top priority! Here are a few tips to help you keep on track with your weight loss resolution. Write Your Goals Down. If you want to truly do something, write it down. Journals, food diaries, and to- do lists are extremely important to your weight loss plan. Remove The Temptations. Get into your kitchen and throw out all sugary snacks and from your refrigerator and pantry. If you don’t remove these tempting items, it will only be a matter of time before you break down and dive head first into the cookie jar! Meet Mini-Goals. Make small changes every week, and they will add up in time. It’s easier to move little pebbles than an entire mountain, right? Try a Weight Loss Supplement. If you need that extra boost consider trying a natural supplement, as approved by your doctor or nutritionist.

Nutrition Plus, www.nutritionplus.com/store

Meditate Your Stress Away

The stress and tension we normally experience come from our minds, and many of the problems we experience, including ill health, are caused or aggravated by this stress. Just by doing simple breathing meditation for ten or fifteen minutes each day, we can reduce this stress. The first stage of meditation is to stop distractions and make our mind clearer and more lucid. Find a comfortable meditation position with our eyes partially closed. The most important thing is to keep your back straight to prevent our mind from becoming sluggish or sleepy. Breathe naturally, preferably through the nostrils, without attempting to control our breath as it enters and leaves the nostrils. We should try to concentrate on it to the exclusion of everything else. If we practice patiently in this way, gradually our distracting thoughts will subside, and we shall experience a sense of inner peace and relaxation.

Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, Kadampa Meditation Centre, www.meditateinwinnipeg.org

Nutrition for Injury Recovery

The moment we sustain an injury, our body’s inflammatory response kicks in. This inflammation phase of injury lasts between 3-5 days. The first line of defense is to follow the RICES principle during this time period: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation, Stabilize. For those who want to be proactive, there are certain foods and nutrients you can incorporate into your diet to help reduce inflammation. Some good examples include fish (mackerel, salmon, sardines), oils (olive, fish, flax), avocados, mixed nuts and seeds. Other ingredients that are beneficial include curcumin (from turmeric or curry powder), garlic, bromelain (from pineapple), cocoa, tea, and berries. There are also some foods that you should avoid during this early stage of injury. This includes processed foods, and foods high in saturated or trans fats. These are only a few of the many things you can try to help with inflammation following an injury.

Heath Vermette, CAT(C), www.southsherbook.com

4 Ways to Cope with SAD

Seasonal Affective Disorder is more than just what people refer to as the “winter blues.” Those who have it find it difficult to function in daily life. So, what can you if you find yourself experiencing seasonal sadness? Here’s what you should do: 1. Increase sunlight exposure. Exposure to more sunlight (even if it is a scare amount) can help. Consider getting an artificial sunlight lamp for your home. 2. Exercise. Like other mood disorders, exercise can also help you cope by relieving stress, building energy levels, and improving physical well-being. 3. Take a supplement. Using high-quality, broad-spectrum nutritional supplements can help your body have these needed nutrients. Vitamin D3, specifically, has positive effects on mood and seasonal affective disorder. 4. Sleep. Getting enough rest can help reduce stress and can prepare you with the energy you need to get through the day. Get to bed early enough to ensure you receive the rest you need.

Dr. Asim Ashique, Central Chiropractic Centre, www.centralchiro.ca