As the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is fast approaching, it is important to be mindful of the precious little moments that we tend to take for granted. Grab a journal or a pad of paper and write down three things that you are grateful for every day. You can even make this a family project. Studies have shown that having gratitude can lower stress, anxiety, and depression. Some other tips that will keep us feeling our best:
• Drink more water
• Eat a clean diet
• Go to sleep earlier
• Volunteer at a local shelter or organization
• Practice mindful breathing
• Exercise daily
• Spend time with people who make you happy.
Community News
Treating Tennis Elbow
Lateral epicondylitis, more commonly referred to as tennis elbow, is a condition caused by inflammation of the extensor tendons that attach into the outer elbow. It is a type of repetitive strain injury where the tendon is repeatedly overloaded, causing microtears within the fibres. Rest, ice, and anti-inflammatories are usually effective for initial pain relief. The use of a counterforce brace may also help with symptoms, as it will disperse the forceful pulling at the elbow when you use your wrist.
Helpful tip: While recovering from tennis elbow, be mindful to do most of your lifting with palms up (supinated) whenever possible.
Single For The Holidays?
Finding love is possible any time of the year, but the holidays are a wonderful time to look for romance. There’s no shortage of festive music, delicious food, whimsical decorations, and most importantly, holiday cheer. Everyone seems to be slightly more upbeat in the lead-up to Christmas, which can make dating during the holidays surprisingly ideal. All the warm and fuzzy feelings floating around make the holidays a great time to meet a potential romantic partner. If you’ve tried to find love season and season again to no avail, maybe it’s time to trust in your local matchmaker. Everyone deserves love, and love sure makes special times so much better.
Quit Smoking, Live Healthier
Smoking cigarettes can result in nicotine dependence and serious health problems. Quitting has both immediate and long-term benefits, including: lowering risk for various forms of cancer, including lung cancer, reducing risk of heart disease within 1 to 2 years of quitting, reducing respiratory symptoms (coughing, shortness of breath, etc.), reducing risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and reducing risk of infertility in women of reproductive age or complications during birth.
If you are thinking about quitting or are ready to quit, feel free to contact your pharmacist to discuss the various options that can help you stop smoking.
Dentures and TMJ Pain
TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder causes symptoms like popping or pain in your jaw and/or neck, headaches, problems with balance, and even hearing loss. One of the common causes of TMJ disorder is the displacement of the disc that cushions the bones of the joint that connects your jaw to your skull. Displacement of the disc may be caused by an incorrect bite, which means the teeth no longer fit together properly, and therefore the jaw joint and muscles cannot work the way they need to. A denturist will be able to determine whether there are issues with the bite and can provide proper-fitting dentures with an optimal occlusion.
Your Child’s First Eye Exams
Optometrists recommend that babies have their first eye examination between six and nine months of age to ensure their eyes are healthy, eye alignment and eye muscle movements are developing properly, and the eyes are focusing together. A number of serious eye conditions exist that can be identified during their first eye exam. If left uncorrected, these conditions can result in serious vision problems. Vision development continues into the preschool years – depth perception, eye-hand coordination, and visualization skills. Doctors of Optometry recommend children have at least one eye exam between the ages of two and five, and yearly after starting school.
Exercise for S.A.D.
S.A.D. stands for Seasonal Affected Disorder, which is mainly attributed to the reduction in sunlight hours in winter and is your body’s reaction to the changes in season. With S.A.D. you might feel sluggish or moody, have a loss of appetite, and even lose interest in activities you normally love. One way to combat these feelings and the wintertime blues is to get your body moving! Exercise, even light exercise, has been shown to improve mood and energy through increased blood flow and the release of certain endorphins, as well as improve sleep and alertness, and reduce anxiety and stress.
Clean Eating: Simple Vegan Eggnog
Ingredients: 1 15-ounce can coconut milk (400 ml), 1/2 cup raw cashews, 1/4 cup water, 3 tbsp maple syrup, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon. Directions: Soak the cashews overnight or for at least 1 hour. Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve the eggnog chilled, so keep it in the fridge for at least 1 or 2 hours. Enjoy the Holiday Season!
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is just one of over 85 naturally-occurring constituents identified in the hemp plant. Unlike THC, it won’t get you “high”, which makes it an appealing option. The most abundant non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in hemp, CBD is becoming increasingly popular due to highly publicized exposure in the media and the wide scope of its benefits on health and wellness. Clinical reports and mounds of test data showing little to no side effects and a lack of the psychoactivity typically associated with marijuana products and high THC levels have also contributed to CBD’s rise in popularity. CBD will not adversely affect sensory awareness, perception, consciousness, reaction time, or behavior.
Disability Tax Credit for Type 1 Diabetes
The Disability Tax Credit is a program designed to help those with disabilities or their caregivers reduce the amount of income tax they pay, offsetting some of the significant medical and treatment expenses. What diabetes-related activities are covered? According to CRA, the following activities qualify in the 14-hour-per-week calculation:
• Checking blood glucose levels
• Preparing and administering the insulin
• Calibrating necessary equipment
• Testing ketones
• Keeping a log book of blood glucose levels
With children, the 14-hour-per-week eligibility criteria can usually be met by combining the parent and child’s time.
T1D is an expensive disease and the disability tax credit can provide some financial relief for those who qualify.
Need Help Getting Physically Active?
Individuals who are physically active have a lower risk of obtaining health conditions including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. Physical activity has been shown to improve mental health by having a positive impact on depression, anxiety, and stress. Kinesiologists are heavily involved in facilitating and improving physical activity levels of individuals of varying goals and capabilities. Kinesiologists are experts in the field of human movement, exercise prescription, fitness training and conditioning. A Kinesiologist uses evidence-based research to develop exercise programs for individuals looking to increase their physical activity levels. Many fitness and wellness centers in the city employ Kinesiologists as personal trainers who can guide and provide you with the tools to become healthier and more physically active.
