Just as physical exercise can make and keep your body stronger, mental exercise can make your brain work better and lower your risk of mental decline as you age. Play games you are not already familiar with that involve strategy, like chess or bridge, and word games like Scrabble. Try crossword and other word puzzles, or number puzzles such as Sudoku. Read newspapers and books that challenge you. Get in the habit of learning new things like recipes, driving routes, or a musical instrument. Take a course in an unfamiliar subject. The more interested and engaged your brain, the more likely you’ll be to continue learning and the greater the benefits you’ll experience.
Community News
Trust Your Gut
Your immune system works hard to protect you from injury, illness, and disease. This process usually involves inflammation, a natural response to stress, tissue damage, and harmful stimuli like viruses, bacteria, and toxins. Inflammation functions similarly to an engine warning light, alerting you to the presence of a problem through symptoms such as heat, pain, redness, swelling, and/or loss of function. 85% of the immune system is located in our gut. An anti-inflammatory diet rich in vitamins A, C, and E and the mineral selenium provides your gut with the ingredients it needs to bolster immunity and achieve optimal mental and physical health.
Detox with Distilled Water
Did you know that even some of the purest water on the planet is teeming with impurities? Fresh mountain spring water, for instance, is sometimes chock-full of microorganisms and heavy metals. Your tap water – which you probably expect to be safe – is also often full of chemicals. Trying to detoxify your body using water that contains these types of impurities seems a little counterproductive, doesn’t it? Distilled water revitalizes your body by flushing out toxins and enabling your body to function as it should. Try it – you may be surprised at how much more “alive” you’ll feel after increasing your daily level of distilled water! WorldOfWater.ca
Get a Better Complexion with Dermaplaning
Dermaplaning is an effective and painless exfoliating treatment using a special blade to gently and efficiently scrape off any dead skin cells on your skin. The buildup of dead skin and vellus hairs can make your complexion appear dull and flaky. Dermaplaning not only improves skin texture and tone, but it allows for greater penetration of skincare products and creates a flawless canvas for makeup. You can expect to see an instant improvement in your skin, while the long-term effects are increased cell turnover, fewer wrinkles and dark spots, and reduction of acne scarring. The results can last up to four weeks, so you will be glowing all month long!
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!
Community Event
January 11: 7pm – 9pm. Understanding the Messages from Your Body – Insights to your imbalances. Did you know that when there is pain or tension in one’s body – there is likely tension or pain going on in one’s life. Your mind and body work together and when one is in harmony it usually reflected in another. When one is out of harmony in their life – that will be reflected in their body. For example, if one is not acknowledging the fear of something, their knees could be weak and cannot heal normally. If one is worried about finances, then one’s lower back could be tight or sore. As we create harmony in our lives, this creates harmony in our body. MainStay Inn & Suites, 670 King Edward St. $35. Register [email protected] 204-573-5275 Robinchant.com
Book Club: Making Sense of Mindfulness
Do you practise mindfulness? Manitoba-born author Keith Macpherson (BEd) is a mindfulness life coach and motivational speaker who has been inspiring audiences for more than twenty years.nown for his popular “daily intentions” on social media and his regular column “Keith’s Corner” in several corporate wellness magazines, Keith inspires thousands of people daily with his messages of mindfulness. This book is available now at your local book store.
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.
Choosing a Health Advocate
Choosing a Health Advocate
One of the most important steps in a senior’s life is to choose the right health advocate. Your advocate could be your family member or your friend; someone you can trust with your health concerns. The advocate will play a very important role in your healthcare plans in the future. For example, they can go with you to a doctor, the lab, your pharmacy, or the hospital. It is very important to name an advocate before you need one, and you can decide the limits of their authority. You can find more information, videos, and a “My Patient Advocate Agreement” form at www.safetoask.ca
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.
