Community News
Get Outside for Mental Health

There are numerous benefits that come from taking time to get outside and enjoy the natural world. An increase in vitamin D helps ward off mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, while also contributing to your overall wellbeing. You can get this vitamin D boost from just 15 minutes of outdoor time. Being outdoors can help boost creativity, which can also improve mood and decrease feelings of anxiety or depression. Taking a break outdoors can also aid in better concentration and alertness throughout the day, and can provide better sleep, which is also important for your mental health.

Tea Tree or Melaleuca?

It’s both! Tea tree, also known by its Latin name melaleuca, was once used to make medicinal tea. Now, it’s frequently used for its essential oil, of which there are three common types. Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree essential oil) has antibacterial and medicinal properties and is used for a variety of conditions such as lice, body odour, cold sores, and foot fungus. Melaleuca quinquenervia (niaouli essential oil) has similar disinfecting properties to tea tree essential oil, but is gentler on the skin. Melaleuca cajuputi (cajuput essential oil) actually has similar properties to eucalyptus and lemon oils.

Mental Health and Your Gut

Did you know that there is a direct line of communication between your digestive tract and your brain? New evidence is showing us that the microflora in our gut activates this communication, via the vagus nerve, and can play a crucial role in mediating our mood. This means that disruption of the intestinal tract can result in inappropriate signals being sent up to the brain, influencing your mood. Refined foods, chronic stress, and the overuse of antibiotics can lead to this kind of disruptive communication in the body. Restoring the function of the digestive system can be an effective way to help balance your mood… with no side effects.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants are a popular choice for people who have one or two missing teeth, but they can also be a good choice for people missing several or all teeth. As long as your gums and jaw are healthy, two or more implants can serve as a base of support and provide many benefits over conventional dentures. Benefits may include improved speech, decreased irritation of gum tissue, elimination of the need for denture adhesives, more biting force, and increased ability to chew properly. Denturists can help determine whether dental implants are right for you and refer you to an oral surgeon.

Travel Tip: Cindy Knows Travel

Traveling, for most, is an exciting and enlightening activity filled with rich experiences and a plethora of surprises. But it can also present challenges, especially in the context of maintaining one’s wellness routine. I recently had the opportunity to travel to Marrakesh, Morocco—a totally outside-the-box trip that I was equal parts excited and nervous about. Morocco, as a whole, has never been at the top of my bucket list. Keeping up with my healthy habits is relatively easy when I’m in, say, Costa Rica or the Virgin Islands, but Morocco presented new challenges. Here are five things you should know when travelling to a country like Morocco: 1. Pack healthy snacks. 2. Download a few meditations. 3. Indulge in a spa treatment. 4. Hydrate all the time. 5. Be flexible and kind to yourself.

Community Event

Community Event: Villages Tractor Trek
The Villages Tractor Trek is celebrating its 11th year as a signature fundraising event for Eden Foundation, to be held on Saturday, July 14. Money raised at the event will go towards helping support mental health recovery programs for individuals living in our southern health region, through initiatives such as the renovation of six suites at Enns Courts in Winkler, new evaluation software and training, a wellness library, and a mental health promotions project, to name a few. To register for the event or to support a Tractor Trekker, call 204-325-5355 or visit https://sna.etapestry.com/fundraiser/EdenFoundationInc/wtt2018

Wilderness Edge for Wellness

Getting away from your daily stresses and focusing on your personal wellness is important, and Wilderness Edge Retreat and Conference Centre offers an easy and affordable way to do just that. Located just one hour from Winnipeg in beautiful Pinawa, Manitoba inside Whiteshell Provincial Park, Wilderness Edge hosts a variety of retreats for people of all ages and specializes in hosting groups. Experience the sights, sounds, and smells of the great outdoors as you reconnect with nature, get active with our many recreational offerings, and explore your inner world through quiet time and creative pursuits.

How to Boost Your Metabolism

Are you looking to kick-start your metabolism? Here are a few tips! 1. Build muscle. Your body always burns calories, even when you’re doing nothing. Your resting metabolic rate is much higher if you have muscle. 2. Keep drinking water. Your body needs water to process calories. If you are even mildly dehydrated, your metabolism may slow down. 3. Power up with protein. Your body burns many more calories digesting protein than it does with carbohydrates. As part of a balanced diet, replacing some carbs with lean, protein-rich foods can boost metabolism at mealtime.

Why Can’t I Put Down My Phone?

Detaching yourself from your phone and truly unplugging can seriously improve your life. While there’s no doubt technology has made our lives easier in many ways (remember roadmaps?), research suggests that our addiction to it is real. Every new notification triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that drives us to seek rewards, so you keep coming back for more. This vicious cycle is taking a toll on our health, mental wellbeing, and relationships. But this habit isn’t entirely your fault. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter—they’ve all been designed to make you repeatedly use them and check back in. Time for a digital detox?

Problems with Snoring?

Snoring is a topic that is well known to many of us and our spouses. If you have tried all of the pillows, mouth guards and gadgets advertised, you may want to try these simple suggestions so that you can get a perfect night’s rest. Here are some natural, effective essential oils for snoring. Sage, Thyme, Marjoram, Lavender, and Cedarwood. Diffusers are really a terrific way to use the following essential oils at night time. They are also a practical solution when applied topically. For more information and instructions: purejoynaturals.ca/blog

Are Referrals Needed for Denturists?

You do NOT need a referral to see a denturist. In fact, professional denturists are trained to observe and detect abnormalities or conditions in your mouth and can refer you to another appropriate specialist, if required. An appointment with a denturist involves a consultation, during which you will receive a detailed explanation of what you can expect from your dentures in terms of function, appearance, and cost. Problems such as chewing difficulties, irritated gums, and poor fit can be addressed by making an appointment with a denturist who can determine the cause of your discomfort.