Trauma and grief often go hand-in-hand, and learning how to mourn can be a crucial part of healing. Grief is the reactions that we must mourn through to shift to an active, shared response instead of a passive, isolated one. Six ways to help active mourning include: 1) Acknowledging the loss is real. 2) Interacting with the pain instead of avoiding it. 3) Honouring what you loved about who/what you are mourning. 4) Discovering the new you in the context of loss. 5) Finding meaning and purpose beyond what happened. 6) Getting ongoing support and talking with loved ones and/or a professional.
Community News
Your Choice of Skin Care Matters
Our skin is an organ that absorbs everything on it, passing it along through the bloodstream. This includes any skincare products we apply to our skin. Mainstream skincare and beauty products have a long shelf life and look and smell nice. However, most of them contain chemicals such as parabens, phthalates, synthetic colors, formaldehyde, fragrances and propylene glycol. These can trigger or exacerbate an array of problems including allergies, hormone disruption and can even act as irritants and carcinogens. When looking for skin care products, look for brands that are truly transparent and list ingredients you understand.
Are You Having Fun?
As an older adult, you know that you need to stay active for optimal mental and physical health. But are you having FUN? Fun and joy are what make us feel truly alive, engaged, and connected to others. The world becomes more vibrant and inviting when we give ourselves permission to laugh and play. Every senior deserves to pursue enjoyable pastimes that make him or her lose track of time or feel like a goofy kid at heart. Plus, many of the best activities for senior citizens cost little or no money. Explore activities that spark the kid in you!
Seniors and Stress
Chronic stress is harmful to people of all ages, but its impact on older adults can be particularly severe, increasing the risk of age-related diseases, hastening cognitive decline and even triggering falls. Stressors that are common amongst the elderly include: loss of control, personal loss, declining health, financial worries, personal safety and loss of independence. To reduce stress, get regular exercise, eat balanced meals to ensure the mind and body are properly fueled and ask for help. Talking with a trusted family member, friend or healthcare professional, at the very least, releases pent-up stress and may even lead to a solution.
Effects of Social Isolation
Several studies have shown social isolation can negatively affect your health. This National Institute on Aging primer notes that loneliness can lead to high blood pressure, depression, and put you at greater risk of illness. That could mean more doctor’s visits and higher health care costs. And what if you or your loved one takes a fall with no one around? Beyond the physical pain, the financial implications could be high. And then there’s the emotional toll of social isolation, which can be even more devastating. These are all things to consider when deciding whether you or your loved one spend the next chapter of life at home or in a senior living community.
We Are Here For You
The BC Responsible and Problem Gambling Program continues to provide free services to citizens of British Columbia through this period. We are working to provide virtual options (telephone and videoconferencing) for the delivery of our services, including counselling and outreach support. For more information, please contact the Gambling Support Line at 1.888.795.6111 or email Problem.Gambling@gov.bc.ca. If you need to renew your VSE agreement, please contact BCLC’s Customer Support Centre at 1-866-815-0222. A BCLC Investigator will set new ‘temporary’ agreement renewal and contact you when venues are set to open to obtain your documentation.
Wellness Information in Your Community
At Wellnessnews Choices for Healthy Living®, we continue to provide health and wellness information to our communities. In addition to our printed newsletters, Wellnessnews.ca has hundreds of searchable health articles written by local experts. Our Meetup group is FREE to join and offers workshops on a variety of health topics. Check it out at Meetup.com/Wellnessnews. Teresa Ostman hosts “Wellness Wednesday” @ 1 PM on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month on CHLY 101.7 FM radio or stream at CHLY.ca. Watch for our new online Wellness Resource Hub that will launch in the near future.
Support for Your Health
The general lockdown has had some good outcomes but also many traumatising ones. Today more than ever, we need to support our Physical, Emotional and Energetic health. Our multidisciplinary medical-therapeutic team at Naturally Healthy Clinic is now back to work. We offer both in-person and distance treatments and consultations. Most services are covered by benefits. Our Wellness team is diligent about upholding the highest standards and ready to support you on all three aspects of your health. Please check our website regularly for our events, specials, workshops and classroom and online courses. We are passionate about your Health and Happiness!
Ingredients are Important!
Healthy-looking skin starts with products that are formulated with clean, effective, organic ingredients that hydrate, refresh & rejuvenate. The ingredients in organic beauty products set them apart from cheaper drugstore counterparts. *High concentrations of quality active ingredients vs inactive cheap fillers or harmful chemicals. *Quality active ingredients are listed first as ingredients are always listed in descending order, starting with the largest amount. *Higher concentration of active ingredients means less product is needed for each use. *Organic, clean products without chemical preservatives have an earlier expiration date. A long shelf life usually indicates fillers and harsh chemical preservatives.
Product Review: WELLNESS TINCTURE
ACTIVE RELEAF aims to encourage active wellness through the use of nature’s most powerful ingredients. Offering a collection of plant-based wellness products, ACTIVE RELEAF’s WELLNESS TINCTURE is their strongest remedy. Used as a natural plant-based alternative for people experiencing anxiety, insomnia, pain, inflammation and other ailments. The WELLNESS TINCTURE is formulated with a high concentration of broad spectrum cannabinoid-rich hemp plant extract, paired with coconut MCT oil to help deliver cannabinoids and increase bioavailability. Taken sublingually (under the tongue) or mixed into your favourite beverage. With three different concentration options (400mg, 1000mg & 2000mg) and measured droppers, dosing is accurate and flexible for your needs.
Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI)
Approximately 1.5 million Canadians live with the effects of an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). Non-Traumatic Acquired Brain Injuries are caused by something that happens inside the body or a substance introduced into the body that damages brain tissues. They include: Strokes, Brain Tumours, Aneurysm and Substance Abuse. Traumatic Acquired Brain Injuries are caused by something outside the body. This includes: Falls, Sports Injuries, Motor vehicle accidents. The effects of an ABI can be immediate or increase/decrease over time. Each individual will experience a unique combination of challenges and changes. It is the leading cause of death and disability for Canadians under the age of 40.
