According to the Canadian Government, one-quarter of adults report problems with falling or staying asleep, most, or all of the time. Here are some surprising tips to improve your sleep. #1- Close your eyes and roll them backward. Rolling your eyes causes your brain to release melatonin, a natural sleep hormone. #2- Breathe through your nose, not your mouth. Breathing through the mouth can have a stress effect on the brain. Breathing through the nose sends relaxation signals to your brain. #3- Tell yourself “I’m not going to sleep”. Reverse psychology works better than you think. Give these tips a try tonight to help you get to sleep faster and stay asleep longer.
Community News
Connections Matter on Father’s Day
Father’s Day offers a poignant reminder of the vital role mental health plays in the lives of our aging parents. For seniors residing in independent living homes, the benefits extend beyond physical care. These communities foster crucial social interactions that can stave off the loneliness and depression often faced by those living alone. Friendships formed in these environments provide emotional support, joy, and a sense of belonging. Celebrating Father’s Day in such a setting underscores the importance of a strong support network. By prioritizing companionship and mental well-being, we honor our fathers not just with gifts, but with the invaluable gift of connection.
Preventing Lyme Disease
There are more than 40 species of ticks in Canada, mostly found in grassy and wooded areas with trees, shrubs, and piles of leaves. Avoiding tick bites is the best way to prevent Lyme Disease. Here’s how you can keep yourself bite-free when spending time outdoors: 1) Wear closed-toe shoes and light-coloured long sleeves shirts and pants. 2) Walk on cleared paths or walkways. 3) Use bug spray with DEET or icaridin. 4) After being outside, check yourself, children, gear, and pets for ticks, bathe, and put all clothes worn outdoors into a dryer for 10-20 minutes. Speak to your Pharmasave Pharmacist for more information.
Disability Tax Credit Eligibility
The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) eligibility hinges on three primary impairment categories, each with its own criteria: Physical Impairments. Mental Illness and Psychological Impairments. Neurological Impairments. Simply having a certified medical condition within these categories doesn’t guarantee DTC eligibility. Qualification depends on impairment severity and its impact on “Activities of Daily Living.” For more information contact
Connections Matter on Father’s Day
Father’s Day offers a poignant reminder of the vital role mental health plays in the lives of our aging parents. For seniors residing in independent living homes, the benefits extend beyond physical care. These communities foster crucial social interactions that can stave off the loneliness and depression often faced by those living alone. Friendships formed in these environments provide emotional support, joy, and a sense of belonging. Celebrating Father’s Day in such a setting underscores the importance of a strong support network. By prioritizing companionship and mental well-being, we honor our fathers not just with gifts, but with the invaluable gift of connection.
The Place to Turn for Dementia Support
After Sheila Anderson’s husband was diagnosed with dementia, she reached out to the Alzheimer Society for support. They received helpful resources and information, which gave them the opportunity to join a support group.
“The Society is a place you know you can turn to for support,” says Sheila. “Being able to talk to people in the same position as you is so helpful because we all understand what dementia is really like.”
Sheila and Bruce are now regular monthly donors. Donating to the Society helps to continue services like one-to-one counselling, support groups, education sessions, dementia-friendly programming and more. To learn more about the Alzheimer Society and how to donate, visit our website.
June Brain Teasers
.1 What can a man do standing up, a woman do sitting down, and a dog do on three legs? 2. The more you take, the more you leave behind. What am I? 3. What has a thumb and four fingers but is not alive? 4. What can run but never walks, has a mouth but never talks, has a bed but never sleeps?
BRHC Foundation Spring Campaign
The Foundation is currently running their 2024 Spring Campaign. This year the campaign donations will go towards a Reciprocating Saw ($6,095) and Reusable Cautery Pads ($10,000). Both of these needed equipment items will be directed to the Surgical Suite (OR) at the Brandon Regional Health Centre. For more information please contact the Foundation at (204) 578-4227.
Jo-Anne Lewis, Executive Director BRHC Foundation brhcfoundation.ca
Look for Local
Based in Winnipeg, Tasty Heat’s® Foods is an award-winning condiments manufacturer crafting premium products with authentic Sri Lankan recipes and top-quality ingredients, including fresh and dry hot peppers. Their mission is to deliver top-tier products, combining “TASTY” and fiery “HEAT” simultaneously, without artificial flavors or coloring. Proudly, Tasty Heat’s® hot sauces claim the title of the world’s first Sri Lankan Hot Peppers Sauces and are Manitoba’s inaugural hot sauces. Visit Sobeys Brandon to explore Tasty Heat’s® range, featuring their unique, MSG-free chili paste and six distinct hot sauces.
The Healthy Book Club
The Harvard Medical School Guide to Men’s Health – distills 25 years of research on men’s health into a comprehensive resource. It covers diet, exercise, supplements, and diseases like prostate cancer. The guide also offers advice on alcohol consumption, stress control, and navigating the healthcare system, making it an essential reference for men’s health. Ask at your local bookstore.
What Happens When You Quit
The quitting smoking timeline varies from person to person, but generally follows a similar pattern:
20 minutes: Blood pressure and heart rate drop.
12 hours: Carbon monoxide levels in the blood decrease.
2 weeks to 3 months: Circulation improves, lung function increases, and physical activity becomes easier.
1 to 9 months: Coughing and shortness of breath decrease as lung function continues to improve.
1 year: The risk of heart disease is halved compared to a smoker’s risk.
5 years: Stroke risk is similar to that of a non-smoker.
10 years: The risk of lung cancer is halved compared to that of a continuing smoker, and the risk of other cancers decreases further.
