Many studies involving hundreds of patients have shown evidence that acupuncture can help treat anxiety and can have similar effects as talk therapy. Acupuncture can help the body relax in a variety of ways, including 1) prompting the parasympathetic nervous system to release signals for relaxation; 2) improving the heart rate variability, which helps the body cope with stress; 3) calming the hypothalamus, which releases neurochemicals when we are under stress; and 4) helping with the flow of endorphins, the body’s own “feel good” chemicals. Acupuncture can be considered as an effective alternative to traditional pharmacological and psychological treatments.
Community News
Tuning Into Ourselves
The demands on each of us during this global pandemic continue to take their toll on our health and well-being. Intuitive Counselling can be an effective tool to support ourselves during this time of crisis. Everyone is intuitive and we all have the ability to tap into our own inner knowledge and wisdom. Intuitive Counselling provides support and guidance to help you: connect with your intuition; process emotions and blockages; and develop holistic practices to reduce stress, feel more grounded, and move forward with clarity and confidence. If this type of holistic support resonates with you, reach out to Safe Harbour Therapy.
Healthy Gut = Heathy Life
Did you know that there is a direct connection between the immune system and nutrition? The intestinal tract is the main route of contact with the external environment and is a pathway that contains microbiomes that aids digestion as well as the absorption of nutrients. This makes it critical for us to consume a balanced diet with the right nutrients while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Make sure you consume an adequate amount of protein such a fish and lean meats. It’s also important to maintain a daily intake of vitamins and phytonutrients, especially Vitamin C. Increase your intake of probiotics and omega-3 fatty acids as they enhance the functions of immune cells.
Banana Quinoa Breakfast Bars
1 cup steel cut oats, 1 cup quinoa, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, a pinch of sea salt, 3 large ripe bananas, mashed, 2 Tbsp ground flaxseed, 3 Tbsp natural nut butter, 1 Tbsp coconut oil, 2 Tbsp pure maple syrup. Optional: 1/4-1/2 cup add-ins coconut, chopped dried fruit. Preheat oven 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 x 9 baking dish with coconut oil. Combine in a large bowl. Let sit for 10 mins to let flax absorb some liquid. Add batter to baking dish and spread out evenly. Bake 25 mins or until edges are crisp and center is cooked through. Enjoy!
Have a Smoke-Free 2021
Something about leaving an old year behind and looking ahead at the clean slate of a new one inspires most of us to try. We think about making lasting positive changes in our lives, and we do it with hope and enthusiasm. If you’re planning to start the new year without a cigarette in your hand, but have had no luck sticking with past New Year’s resolutions, consider laser therapy. Laser therapy can help to control cravings and withdrawal symptoms. In clinical studies, patients report a noticeable reduction in cravings, and have a higher chance of success in quitting.
Avoid Overdoing It
If you’re starting to work out for the first time in a while, not only can it be easy to lose motivation, but it’s also easy to suffer an injury if you rush back too quickly. Listen to your body. There’s a difference between feeling sore after a good workout and being in pain. If something feels weird, gives you pain, or hurts more than you feel it should, take a break and slow down. Include a warm-up and cool-down. A good warm-up prepares your body for activity and a cool-down helps you recover. Both are important. Don’t skip them because you want to rush into things. Increase gradually
Enriching the Life of Your Pet
Keeping your pet in good physical shape is an important part of their wellness, but it’s crucial to provide mental stimulation and enrichment for them as well. Depending on the breed and personality of your dog, a walk doesn’t always provide enough stimulation. Drop-in visits from a pet sitter give your dog the opportunity for an extra play session during the day. For high energy dogs, or those needing more socialization, daycare is a great option. Even if it’s not every day, it gives your dog something to look forward to during the week. There are also many cognitive enrichment toys and puzzles you can purchase for your dogs, cats and birds to keep their minds sharp.
Signs of Too Much Screen Time
Our eyes are not designed to focus on digital devices that are 1 to 3 feet away for extended periods of time. The most common reported symptoms of too much screen time include: Eyes feel tired, sore, uncomfortable and/or hurt, have headaches, feel sleepy, lose concentration and/or have trouble remembering what was read. If it is possible, reduce your screen time and apply the 20-20-20 rule: take a break every 20 minutes and look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. If you or a family member have any of these signs, schedule an appointment with a Developmental Optometrist.
Practice Makes Perfect
When adjusting to new dentures you may notice minor differences in your speech. Lisping or whistling is not unusual. It may take a week or two to adjust, but natural speech will return with practice. Speaking in front of a mirror and reading aloud are excellent exercises to speed up progress. Swallowing before speaking will help to secure the denture in place. Staying hydrated is important as you may experience a dry mouth, which can inhibit proper suction and your denture may drop when speaking. If the problem is chronic, your denturist may be able to make other recommendations.
Living Sustainably: But There’s More…
For decades we have been warned that not changing our wasteful ways to be better stewards of our planet would lead to dire consequences. So, we compost, recycle, lower our thermostats, buy local and more. But there’s one more thing. Your environmental stewardship does not stop when your heart does. Reconsider your end of life plans to include sustainable funeral alternatives. No embalming; local, earth-friendly caskets; no concrete grave boxes are a few examples. Richard Rosin Funeral Director Ltd., your Green Funeral provider, helps guide you in creating a funeral event that is kinder and gentler to our planet.
Hearing Loss and Brain Health
Hearing involves not only your ears but also the brain, so it’s no wonder that hearing loss can go hand in hand with thinking and memory problems. Studies are increasingly linking hearing loss to issues such as faster brain shrinkage, earlier onset of significant cognitive impairment, and up to a quintupled risk of dementia. Addressing conditions such as hearing loss, however, could help prevent a third of dementia cases worldwide, per a UK research collaborative. With hearing health and overall wellness so connected, it’s important to seek regular hearing checks and address listening difficulties early.
