Wildfire smoke contains fine particles and gases that can irritate your eyes, lungs, and airways. Common symptoms include coughing, headaches, and throat irritation, while severe shortness of breath or chest pain requires immediate medical attention. Protect yourself by limiting time outdoors, keeping windows closed, using a HEPA air filter if possible, avoiding strenuous activity, and staying hydrated during smoky conditions.
Community News
Get Ahead of September Burnout
As a mom of two and a physiotherapist, I know how stressful back-to-school can be. We go from summer mornings to packing lunches, following a school calendar, signing forms, and getting everyone where they need to be. A few weeks in, many parents come in tired, tense, and run down. The good news is that a lot of it’s predictable, so you can get ahead of it. Start with one thing: a week or two before school starts, set up one shared family calendar and a short weekly planning time, so you can get it out of your head.
Don’t Ignore Persistent Foot Pain
Many people assume sore feet are simply part of aging or an active lifestyle, but persistent foot pain is often a sign that something needs attention. Conditions such as plantar fasciitis, flat feet, high arches, or biomechanical imbalances can place extra stress on the body and affect overall mobility. Custom orthotics are designed to address your unique foot structure and walking pattern, helping to improve alignment and reduce discomfort. Early intervention can prevent minor issues from becoming chronic problems. Investing in proper foot support today can help you stay comfortable, active, and independent for years to come.
Helping Children and Teens Manage Emotions
Children and teens experience a wide range of emotions, yet they may not always have the skills to express them effectively. Frustration, disappointment, worry, and anger can sometimes appear as withdrawal, defiance, or emotional outbursts. Parents play an important role in helping young people identify and manage their feelings in healthy ways. Listening without judgment, validating emotions, and teaching coping strategies can build emotional intelligence and resilience. Cynthia Brummelhuis, author of Raising Happy Successful Kids and an ADHD Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP), helps children, teens, and families develop the tools needed to navigate challenges with greater confidence and stronger connections. Visit cabpsychology.ca to learn more.
Autoimmune Disease and Menopause
August is Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to recognize the connection between autoimmune diseases and menopause. Women with conditions such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus may notice worsening fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, sleep problems, or mood changes as estrogen declines. Because menopause and autoimmune diseases share many symptoms, it can be difficult to know what’s causing them. Understanding the overlap can help you make informed decisions about your health. Nancy Thorp, RN, MPH, with The Mama Coach, provides evidence-based menopause education and personalized support to help women navigate this transition with confidence.
August Book Club
The Autoimmune Cure: Healing the Trauma and Other Triggers That Have Turned Your Body Against You. We know that autoimmune disease is condition when the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy tissue and cells, affects many. But as New York Times bestselling author Dr. Sara Gottfried explains in this eye-opening new book, autoimmune disease may be even more pervasive than we realize, and its root cause may surprise you.
Celebrate With VitaJuwel
International Self Care Day is the perfect reminder to put yourself first. VitaJuwel’s FOR ME Collection invites you to celebrate YOU with gemstone infused carafes designed to support your personal journey. Choose the energy you need most: Kindness, Confidence, or Willpower. KINDNESS blends Thulite and Jade to promote calm, warmth, and inner peace. WILLPOWER features Apatite and Milk Opal to inspire determination, resilience, and goal achievement. CONFIDENCE combines Baltic Amber and Obsidian to encourage self belief while helping protect against negativity. Take a moment to nurture yourself and embrace the power within.
July Book Club
Lighter: Let Go of the Past, Connect With the Present, and Expand the Future. An empathetic and wise book that will guide you on a journey toward a deeper understanding of self. In Lighter, Yung Pueblo demonstrates how we can all move forward in our healing, from learning self-compassion to letting go to becoming emotionally mature.
July Trivia
.1. Which sense is most closely linked to memory? 2. What food never spoils?
3. How many tsp of added sugar does the average Canadian consume?
Healthy Low Sugar Summer Treats
Here are some healthier summer treat options! 1. Iced Coffee – 1-2 oz espresso or 4 oz coffee/hot chocolate cooled, few scoops vanilla coconut milk ice cream, pinch cinnamon, few ice cubes, almond milk to thin it out. 2. Fruity Popsicle – Blend watermelon with strawberries or raspberries and a splash of lemon or lime juice and freeze. 3. Creamsicle Smoothie – A few scoops frozen OJ and vanilla coconut milk ice cream, almond milk to thin it out. 4. Fudgesicles – 2 frozen bananas, 1/2-1 cup almond or cashew milk, 2 tbsp cocoa powder, honey or maple syrup.
Navigating Life’s Transitions with Confidence
Summer often brings changes in routines, relationships, and responsibilities. Whether adjusting to a new stage of life, navigating separation or divorce, or supporting children through family transitions, change can feel overwhelming. The good news is that resilience can be developed. By acknowledging emotions, maintaining healthy routines, and focusing on what can be controlled, individuals and families can adapt more confidently. Open communication and self-compassion are especially important during times of uncertainty. Cynthia Brummelhuis, author of Raising Happy Successful Kids and a professional who has completed the ADHD Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP) Certification Course, helps families embrace change as an opportunity for growth, connection, and emotional wellbeing.
