A new year is upon us, which makes it a great time to quit smoking. A little preparation can go a long way in ensuring your success. When planning your quit date, it’s helpful to remind yourself of the reasons you want to do this in the first place. There are major reasons to quit, such as reducing your risk for disease and cancer. What are your other reasons? Write down your top 10. Before your quit day, you may want to think of rewards you can give yourself, as well as activities which you can turn to if cravings get bad. Studies tell us that psychological preparation plays a large role in the likelihood of success with smoking cessation.
Community News
Look for Local at Sobeys
Stone City Coffee Roasters is a husband-and-wife roasting team that takes a hand-crafted, small-batch approach, which is what makes the relationship with their coffee so unique. Stone
City Coffee Roasters’ method ensures the beans are roasted to perfection, which inevitably results in an exquisitely smooth cup of coffee, bursting with flavour. The company’s purpose
is to create belonging within the community through coffee, which often brings people together. Stone City Coffee Roasters has 14 types of specialty coffee that can be found at Sobeys St. Anne’s Road, all available in bean form, and a select few available in pre-ground form.
Book Club: The Science of Nutrition
Debunk the Diet Myths and Learn How to Eat Responsibly for Health and Happiness. By Rhiannon Lambert. Is a vegan diet healthier? Should I try going low-carb? Is it always a bad idea to skip a meal? Are superfoods all they’re cracked up to be? Is fat still bad for you? Can I eat to improve my chances of conceiving? Science of Nutrition cuts through the noise of conflicting diet advice with clear answers backed up by the very latest research. Pick up at your local bookstore.
Living With Dementia?
People living with dementia can feel isolated and unsure of where to go for support. You are not alone. The Alzheimer Society is here to help. Our offices across the province can provide you with the information, education and support. Plus, with our virtual and in-person programming, you can join our education sessions, Minds in Motion® program and support groups from wherever works best for you.
Contact us today to reach a reassuring ear by phone or get a quick response by email. Visit our website to find an office near you at alzheimer.mb.ca.
Build Your Mental Hygiene at Work
Your level of mental fitness can often determine your ability to deal with stressful situations, thrive through change and ultimately, perform at your best. We know it’s important but how many of us commit time every day as we do with our physical hygiene? Here are a few mental hygiene practices you can incorporate into your day and/or encourage others at work to practice. Just try one at a time! 1) Do a round of gratitude at each meeting 2) Write down one thing you achieved and felt great about each day. 3) Practice acceptance of what you don’t like, but can’t change.
Men’s Health
Although November is a great yearly reminder to think about prostate, testicular and mental health, men should be focusing on their physical and mental well-being every month. It’s important for men to take charge of their own health. A good first step is to find out how well your body is functioning so you can target any areas that need assistance. One of the best ways to accomplish this is through nutritional testing and supplementation. If an area is found to be weak or underperforming, specific, natural formulations can be taken to boost and maximize your body’s ability to function optimally, so you can have a better quality of life every month.
The Many Benefits of Acupuncture
Acupuncture can be used to help with symptom relief from a variety of health conditions. Some examples include: 1) Musculoskeletal pain – acupuncture can help with all kinds of musculoskeletal pain, including spastic or painful muscle from trauma, as well as joint pain, sciatica, and tendonitis. 2) Hormone imbalance – acupuncture may decrease symptoms related to infertility, menstruation, and menopause by assisting with hormone balance restoration. 3) Mood disorders – acupuncture can be an effective way to cope with depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. 4) Sleep disorders – acupuncture can help with insomnia, snoring, and sleep apnea.
Winter Nutrition for Seniors
It’s important for seniors to eat well in the winter months, and some key foods to eat for optimum health include: 1) Citrus fruits – citrus fruits are high in vitamin C, helping to boost immunity. 2) Dark, leafy vegetables – broccoli, spinach, and chard provide many vitamins and antioxidants. 3) Root veggies – root vegetables are high in vitamins, minerals, and fibre. 4) Vitamin D – with less sunlight exposure during the winter, eat egg yolks, healthy grains, seafood, and fortified milk. 5) Good fats – flax seed, walnuts, and avocados are high in healthy omega 3 fatty acids.
Negotiating vs. Compromising
I used to believe that relationships were all about learning to compromise with each other to find a middle ground. When we compromise, we tend to give up our own needs for the betterment of staying connected to others. When we learn to negotiate, we zero in and distill those needs that are fully needed to be met by finding the bridge between ourselves and another. By giving ourselves permission to express and negotiate our deepest desires, we find a creative way where both people can get their core needs met, which then leads to less resentment and greater satisfaction without losing themselves in the relationship.
Scents and Our Brain
Almost all information about smell is stored in the brain’s hypothalamus, a part of the limbic system, which seems to play an important role in controlling mood, memory, behaviour, emotions, heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, stress, and hormonal balance. When a person inhales a smell, a certain signal is sent to the brain, which then spreads throughout the body. Choosing specific scents can lower our stress levels, boost mood, and improve memory. For better concentration, for example, combine a few drops of rosemary, sweet orange, and basil essential oils in your diffuser to increase your focus and productivity.
Needing Orthopedic Surgery?
Are you at your wits end? Are you in pain and tired of waiting for knee, hip, or spine surgery? ONZ Spine specializes in more than 10 years of assisting thousands of individuals in traveling to Germany for orthopedic surgery. Have you been told you are too young for knee or hip replacement? Dr Wolfram Steens at ONZ Spine in Germany can do up to 4 knee and hip replacements in a person’s lifetime, staring at a young age, if necessary, thanks to their state-of-the-art technology. Newly available to Canadian patients is knee cartilage replacement – with use of technology not yet available in Canada.
