When was the last time you saw your denturist? Your face, jaws and tissue change over the years; your dental prosthesis is made of stable and rigid material that will not adapt to these changes. Here are some signs that your dental prosthesis need to be checked. *Problems chewing certain foods, *Thinning lips, sagging mouth or change in facial features, *Prosthesis loose or falling out when speaking or laughing *Discoloration and odor. These changes happen gradually and you may not notice them happening. Your denturist is the most qualified person to tell you when your dentures need to be replaced.

Wellnessnews Choices for Healthy Living™ is thrilled to present the 2nd Annual Wellnessnews Health Expo on September 28th, 2019 at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre in Nanaimo. It will be a day to explore various approaches to health, nutrition, fitness and overall wellbeing. The Expo is FREE. VIP tickets are available where you get your Wellnessnews or from any of the exhibitors. While not required to attend, tickets redeemed raise funds for Nanaimo Community Gardens Society. Check the Health Expo website for a list of over 100 exhibitors and 15+ health talks.

Skin care products with certified organic ingredients and no fillers provide real nutritional benefits. Organic ingredients such as Coconut oil, Beeswax, Cocoa Butter and Essential Oils soothe, nourish, moisturize and promote smooth and soft skin. They will not cause long-term harm to your body. The synthetic ingredients found in non-organic products may, with long term use, damage your skin as your body tries to cope with these foreign substances. Certified organic ingredients are derived from plants. They are grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides, synthetic fertilizers, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and other additives or chemicals. Love your body – go organic!

It is back to school time! Family members know that they are more prone to getting sick when their child is back in school and among their friends. Here are some simple prevention tips for adults and children to guard against nasty germs. *Frequent hand washing *Don’t share towels, lip balm, other items that may be contaminated with respiratory germs * Wash and disinfect countertops and surfaces regularly. * Take good care of your insides! Eat a nutritious whole foods diet including lots of fruit and veggies. Fermented foods or probiotics creates healthy gut flora which is also a good defense against germs.

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.

Recovery from stroke is hard work. It involves making an honest assessment and a constant reassessment of what needs to be worked on. Make an accurate list of your strengths and weaknesses. Activities that are hard, as opposed to activities that are easy, provide greater potential for improvement and recovery. If you eliminate difficulty, you may not progress toward recovery. Focus recovery on movements that are difficult rather than focusing on abilities that are near perfect. Don’t just recover to do things you enjoy; use what you enjoy to recover. Recovery begins at the end of your comfort zone.

Did you know that the Chemainus Theater membership program provides wings to the Chemainus Theatre Festival, supporting each season of programming? Donations to the membership program provides foundational support enabling them to plan confidently, and expand their theatrical & education programing. In return (along with their eternal gratitude) they strive to open up the world of Chemainus Theatre through exclusive member events and have a lot of fun at the same time. In 2019, exclusive events include Fireside Chats, Dress Rehearsals, the ever popular Season Launch Party and Member Day. Contact the theater about the various levels of membership available.

With the pleasant summer weather, we are all spending more time outdoors. There are many wonderful activities to do outside, including walking, hiking, jogging, biking, gardening, sports, playtime with kids or pets, “forest bathing”, picnics; all are great alternative to electronics! Important benefits of taking it outside include a mental health boost with elevated mood and joy and increased quality of life and personal satisfaction. Being active outside reduces fatigue and can help improve your memory. Other benefits include lower blood pressure and reduced risk of disease. So go outside, be safe, wear sunscreen and drink lots of water!