Our brains are hardwired to seek out anything new and stimulating. Research has shown when we break our patterns and use our senses in novel ways, we stimulate nerve cells which contributes to the growth, strength, and agility of our brains. Unless you exercise all areas of the brain, you neglect millions of neuron pathways that need to stay fit in order to store and retrieve information. Maintaining brain health involves physical and mental exercise, stress management and a healthy diet. Grow your brain by doing daily brain exercises. Learn more at our Let’s Get Brain Fit program.

There are things you can do for proper sleep hygiene: Avoid long naps; consider going for a short walk instead. Maintain a regular sleep routine; go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Keep your bedroom quiet and comfy; lower body temperature generally equals better sleep. No electronic devices in bed; blue light emitted from these devices interferes with sleep. Invest in a body pillow to avoid waking up with body pain. If you sleep on your side, an organic body pillow will make hip and shoulder pain a thing of the past.

Are you afraid of falling? There are many risk factors in addition to mobility issues that can lead to falls. This includes sensory deficits that involve problems with sensation in the eyes, ears, or feet. Have your eyesight and hearing checked regularly and talk to your doctor if you’re experiencing numbness in your feet. Going quickly from lying down or sitting to a standing position can cause the blood pressure to drop. If you feel dizzy or lightheaded when standing, sit down until your head clears, stand up slowly, and ensure you have a good footing before taking a step.

We often hear the negative about seniors in our society, rather than celebrating them. Seniors offer wisdom and life experience integral to the fabric of a vibrant community. They contribute by shopping, using services (keeping people employed), and paying taxes. Seniors volunteer and make more charitable donations than any other age groups do. Many organizations could not function without them. Additionally, they help with babysitting and caregiving for spouses and friends, ultimately helping others to successfully “age in place”. Take the time to acknowledge the contributions made by seniors. By making our community more age-friendly, we can all play a role in inspiring more intergenerational understanding and connection.

With the sunny weather, more of our skin is on display and exposed to the elements. We want our skin to look smooth and healthy; healthy skin is vital to our survival. Our skin is an organ that we wear on the outside to protect what is inside. The products that we put on our skin and on our faces are just as important as what we put into our body. To avoid harmful chemicals and allergens, use skin products made with pure organic essential oils and natural ingredients to hydrate, nourish, pamper and repair your skin – naturally. Make sure to read the label. Look for skincare products with no nasty chemicals, preservatives or artificial fragrances.

Do we need sunscreen when it is cloudy? When it is sunny outside, we tend to be good at slathering on the sunscreen, but did you know that up to 40 percent of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation reaches the earth on a completely cloudy day? Using sunscreen everyday protects us from harmful radiation from the sun and reduces our risk for skin cancer, premature aging and sunburns. Today, there are many organic sunscreen options available. Your local health store can help you find one with organic ingredients, that is well-rated by the Environmental Working Group and that provides broad spectrum protection.

We are exposed to noise on a daily basis that can contribute to hearing loss. The risk of damaging your hearing increases with the sound intensity which is measured in decibels (dB) rather than the loudness of the sound. Examples of everyday activities, and their corresponding decibel levels • Normal conversation – 60 dB • City traffic (from inside car)-80-85 dB • Listening to music on your smartphone, especially at maximum volume-105–110 dB • Standing beside/near sirens-120 dB. Noise above 85 dB over a prolonged period may start to damage your hearing. Learn how to protect your hearing health!

Acupuncture, best known for its ability and effectiveness to treat pain, releases endorphin levels and diminishes the nervous system’s pain response while increasing circulation to the affected area. It can also decrease inflammation and swelling, relax muscles and stops muscle spasms. Acupuncture can effectively treat the following pain conditions: Arthritis, Back Pain, Neck Pain, Sciatica, Headaches, Fibromyalgia, Sprains, Tennis/Golfers Elbow, Knee Pain, Joint Pain, Frozen Shoulder, Carpal Tunnel, and more! If you have suffered from a sports or work related injury, and would like to book an appointment, please contact us!

Everything about you is controlled by your brain; what you think, feel, smell, see and how you move. Reconstructing life after an acquired brain injury takes hard work and commitment. At Cowichan Brain Injury peers provide hope to peers. Everyone participates to help rewire the brain. Neurons that fire together, wire together. Neuroplasticity happens by new experiences, new knowledge, a positive attitude, lots of humor, repetitions and consistency. We are optimistic that there are no limits to recovery, but allow for the largest opportunity for the highest level of recovery. Drop-In meetings, Monday to Friday, from 11 – 1 pm, 5814 Bank Road, Duncan.

In hot weather, staying extra hydrated is vitally important for your well-being! Your water requirement depend on your size, activity level, diet, caffeine consumption, and exposure to warmer weather and sun. Start your day with 2 glasses of water and keep a water bottle with you in the car and when you go out. Aim for about 2.5 to 3 litres per day. Drink more if you feel hot and dry, have a headache or muscle cramps or are feeling unwell. Eating raw fruit and vegetables and drinking herbal tea also helps you be sufficiently hydrated. Try adding a pinch of sea salt to your water bottle as a natural electrolyte.

Are your dentures irritating your gums? If your dentures do not fit properly, they can chafe the gums, causing irritation. Tissue irritation can make your dentures so uncomfortable, it’s practically impossible to wear them because of the pain. Practice good oral hygiene habits. Remove your dentures every night and use a soft-bristled brush to brush your gums, tongue, cheeks, and the roof of your mouth. Maintain regular checkups with your denturist and if your dentures become loose, have them looked at as soon as possible. Loose dentures can cause irritation that can lead to sores and infection.