Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of the brain. It is a condition in which a person engages in use of a substance or in a behaviour for which the rewarding effects provide a compelling incentive to repeatedly pursue the behaviour, despite detrimental consequences. There is scientific evidence that the addictive substances and behaviours share a key neurobiological feature—they intensely activate brain pathways of reward and reinforcement, many of which involve the neurotransmitter dopamine. Studies show that there are genetic factors, making some people more susceptible to addiction. Are you or someone you love suffering from addiction and looking for help?
Community News
Clean Eating: Age-Defying Antioxidant Smoothie
1 1/2 cups chopped fresh strawberries and mango. 1 kiwi fruit. 1 handful baby spinach, lightly steamed.
1 cup of almond milk. 1/4 of an avocado. 1 Tbsp. almond butter. 2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup. Add spinach, kiwi fruit, 1/2 cup of almond milk, 1/4 avocado, and 1 Tbsp. maple syrup to blender. Process and pour into a glass. Rinse blender and then add chopped strawberries & mango, 1/2 cup of almond milk, almond butter, and 1 Tbsp. maple syrup to blender. Process and pour into second half of glass to make a delicious bi-coloured smoothie. Enerex.ca
Clean Eating: Thyroid-Friendly Strawberry Mousse
Did you know that June is Thyroid Awareness Month? Treat your thyroid (and your taste buds!) to this easy, simple dessert recipe that takes less than a minute to make. All you need is: 1 cup of strawberries, 1/4 cup of coconut sugar, 1 cup of canned coconut milk, and 8 mint leaves. Blend until smooth and serve chilled.
Spring Into Love
Spring is a season of clichés — birds singing, bees buzzing and people falling madly in love. The love sickness can be blamed on one very real thing. Dopamine! Dopamine is a naturally occurring chemical your brain uses to make you want things. There are other systems involved in love, but when it comes to new love, dopamine is the main culprit. The newness of spring provides an ideal context for starting a new relationship. The changing weather and sunshine energize us — especially after hibernating all winter. We’ve survived winter and now it’s time to start your search for love with the help of an experienced matchmaker.
How Old Are Your Arteries?
Your arteries carry oxygen-rich blood from your heart to your entire body. When you’re young and healthy, they’re wide enough to allow the blood to flow through easily, and their walls are elastic, so they can expand and contract as needed. But as you age, your artery walls might harden, as plaque — made up of cholesterol and fat — builds up within them, narrowing the vessels. This process, called atherosclerosis, puts you at risk for heart attacks and stroke. The Meridian Digital Pulsewave Analyzer is an FDA approved cardio wave analyzer that measures arterial stress by tracking the way blood moves through the arteries. It’s non-invasive and takes only minutes to analyze.
Take a Load Off
Maintaining workplace mental health is vitally important. Stats show that most people spend the majority of their waking hours at work. Using break times is one effective way to improve overall mental health and boost productivity! Oftentimes, busy schedules and looming deadlines prevent us from taking breaks when we need them most. A short time away, doing something we enjoy, helps to reduce stress and emotional exhaustion, while providing a fresh focus and the necessary energy to accomplish tasks. Stretching, walking, listening to music, and reading or watching something funny are all ways to help lighten the load.
Learning-Related Vision Disorders
While 20/20 vision is a great start, our vision is also related to how well our eyes work together with our brain to process visual information. Many children who suffer with vision problems can go undiagnosed since learning-related vision disorders may not be revealed through a regular eye exam. Lack of eye movement control, focusing difficulties, poor visual memory, and much more can make learning seem overwhelming. Without fundamental visual skills, children may have more difficulty with reading, writing, and comprehension at school. A developmental optometrist diagnoses and provides treatment options for learning-related vision disorders.
Should You Stop Driving?
As we age, driving may become more difficult or stressful due to health issues, vision problems, or slower reaction times. So, how can we tell when it might be time to stop driving? If you answer yes to some of the following questions, consider having a conversation with your doctor or looking into getting a driving assessment done. Ask yourself: Have I had some accidents, even minor ones? Do I get lost even on roads I know well? Do I have trouble staying in my lane? Do other drivers often honk at me? Do things seem to appear out of nowhere?
Need a Lift?
A micro-current facelift is a non-invasive anti-aging treatment that is becoming incredibly popular among men and women. What’s great about this treatment is that there is zero downtime! You can come receive a facelift on your lunch break and go back to work with no redness. The treatment works on toning your facial muscles, making you look years younger. There is no pain involved, and there are no side effects or damage to your skin. This safe and natural facelift is beneficial for improvement in the appearance of aged and slackened skin, fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars, dark circles and puffiness, enlarged pores, and muscle tone.
A Consistent Yogi
There are many benefits to practicing yoga on a consistent basis. Regular yoga can target your mental focus, breathing, and meditation at the same time. You will likely develop better balance and connection to your overall body and stance and may start to notice peace and relaxation in other areas of your life. Some have found their bodies cooperating better with digestion and weight loss through their practice. With a mindfulness foundation, consistent yoga practice can help instill self-acceptance, positive thoughts, and gratitude throughout your week as you begin to see the connection between your mind, breath, and strength.
Community Profile: Kelburn Estates
Kelburn Estates Mental Health & Addictions Recovery Centre is a private residential wellness centre on 45 beautiful acres along the red river, here in Manitoba. We pride ourselves in providing confidential and multi-disciplinary expertise for our guests to reclaim, develop, and sustain a meaningful life. A life free from the destructive mental health disease and related substance abuse. Our mission is to create and maintain a lasting relationship with our guests, families, and community service providers. At Kelburn Estates, we will walk with you on your journey to recovery.
