Spring brings with it a crop of nutrient-rich superfoods that are especially beneficial for older adults. As you age, it’s vital to eat healthy foods to maintain weight, manage and prevent diabetes and boost brain health. Spring is a great time to swap out processed foods that lack nutritional value for fresh fruits and vegetables. Some spring super-foods that are perfect for seniors to enjoy include artichokes, leaks, asparagus, green peas, watercress, strawberries and spinach. These springtime favourites are packed with vitamins, minerals, fibre, and antioxidants needed to live a healthy lifestyle.
Community News
5 ways healthy hearing can improve your life
“Do you want to go out for dinner?”
That’s a question that always deserves an enthusiastic “Yes!”
But what if you stop yourself from enjoying a restaurant dinner because you find it too hard to follow a conversation in a noisy environment?
There have been tremendous advances in hearing aid technology since your grandparents’ day. Hearing aids can be highly customized to adapt to specific types of hearing loss and they are so discreet, they are barely noticeable.
Here are five reasons why getting your hearing tested will lead to a happier, more fulfilling life
- You’ll say yes more often
Two people feel badly when you have to say “no” to an invitation. You, and the person doing the asking. Think of how much better you’ll feel when you can embrace new opportunities — and try out that new restaurant everyone’s raving about.
- No more excuses
It can be difficult to explain why you are isolating yourself. Sometimes you make up reasons not to join friends or family at events. It’s hard for them to understand why, especially since all they want is to spend time with you.
- You’ll feel more in control of your life
We waste a lot of energy finding ways to cope with awkward situations. It’s better to turn the awkward situation into a positive one. You’ll be glad you’re doing something about your hearing loss — and others will be, too.
- Only actors get applause for pretending to be someone they’re not
Stop nodding your head to make people think you understand what they’re saying. Chances are they haven’t been fooled.
- You can live in the moment
You have the right to feel fully involved in life. Your life. It wears you down to keep saying, “Pardon? Can you repeat that?” The only thing that needs repeating is time spent enjoying the company of others.
If you think it’s time to start living life in the fullest, or know someone who needs a gentle nudge, book your free HearingLife consultation here or call 1-833-776-4733
Try Something New
Spring is a new beginning and a great time to start new and healthy habits. Moving out of our comfort zone can result in new and exciting experiences. Spring is a perfect time to go outside and spend time in green spaces. The possibilities are endless. Things to try include birdwatching, rock hounding, searching for sea glass on the beach or an outdoor fitness class. The beginning of a new exercise routine is great for your overall well-being. If you prefer to stay inside, an online course, a painting class or dance lessons may be the perfect new experience to celebrate spring.
Spring Clean the Medicine Cabinet
Here are a few tips to clean up your Medicine Cabinet and other places where medication and vitamins are stored: *Gather all medications in one place. *Check the expiry date of each item. *Set aside any medications that you no longer take or has expired. *Set aside any medication that is not in its original container or whose appearance, consistency or odour has changed. Take all discarded medications and vitamins to your pharmacist for safe and ecological disposal. Do not throw them into the waste basket, sink or toilet. The Medicine Shoppe can help with the cleanup process and disposal.
Take Time to BE!
How often do you take time to just BE? This is what the phrase ‘stop and smell the flowers’ means. It is taking time out of your busy, complicated life to sit, relax, connect with nature and do nothing. Remember you are a human BEing! It is time to stop thinking that taking time for yourself is selfish. Taking time for yourself will make you happier, more productive and better able to support your loved ones. A Certified Body/Emotion Code Practitioner can help you release any unprocessed negative (trapped) emotions to allow YOU to take time for YOU.
Are You Dehydrated?
Feel tired all the time? Have no energy? Dehydration may be the cause. Our bodies are over 55% water, so even a small deficit can result in health issues. To ensure that you stay hydrated, it is important to drink at least two litres of water a day. Health benefits of water include: *more energy, *potential weight loss, *flush out toxins and *helps the body regulate temperature. Start your day with a glass of water and drink a glass every couple of hours; more often if you are outside or exercising. Raw fruits and vegetables are a great way to increase water consumption.
Supercharge Your Immune System
Scientist John Stuart Reid made an amazing discovery. He took two test tubes of red blood cells and placed one in a chamber in complete silence and the other was exposed to music. He then measured the number of cells in each tube. The tube exposed to music multiplied so much that they overloaded the cell counter. The cells were brilliant red and robust. The experiment was done with white blood cells with similar results. He concluded that when immersed in music one is supercharging their immune system. Bathe yourself in the sound of music for an immune boost extraordinaire.
Tips for Spring Cleaning
The green season is upon us and with it comes Spring Cleaning! Many people dread this yearly task; the best way to tackle it is to go low and slow. Go through one drawer or cupboard a day, to get the ball rolling in the right direction without taxing yourself. In the bathroom, look for expired medications. Collect these and take them to the Pharmacy for proper disposal. Ask for help. Decluttering with the help of a friend can make the task much easier. Or call us to help you! We are here to support you holistically, body, mind and home.
The Alchemy of Gathering
Set amongst the majestic Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens, the Alchemy of Gathering will focus on creating an open space for the community to come together and celebrate our connections – to ourselves, to each other and to Nature. Offering over 40 local product and service vendors, live music, interactive sound and meditative healing stations, local food vendors and access to the 24 acres of pathways, foliage and the Ocean Stone labyrinth. Join us in this beautiful space and experience sharing ideas on wellness, connection, identity, creativity, healing and more! Let us come together in Nature and celebrate the community and love that is here NOW!
Are You Getting the Right Vitamins & Minerals?
Aging gracefully can come with its challenges. One of the most important things you can do for your health is to ensure you’re getting the right vitamins and minerals. We all know about calcium, so here are some supplement suggestions that are equally important but less common. Always check with your healthcare provider before introducing new supplements into your diet. *Folic Acid – Helps with memory loss and depression. *Vitamin D – Works with calcium to help prevent osteoporosis. * Vitamin B12 – For red blood cell production and nerve health, and is especially important for strict vegetarians. Stay strong, and stay healthy for life!
Free Hearing Test Components
Hearing loss is a fairly common health issue for adults in Canada.
The good news is that it is treatable, especially when addressed at earlier stages. If your hearing is not what it used to be, why not schedule an appointment to get it checked as soon as possible.
To help with this, NexGen Hearing is pleased to offer free hearing tests at our hearing clinics across Vancouver, Lower Mainland BC, Vancouver Island and the British Columbia Interior.
What can you expect during this hearing test? That’s what we’ll explore in this edition of the NexGen Hearing blog.
What Does a Hearing Test Entail?
Being proactive about your hearing health today will pay off tomorrow.
That’s why we recommend getting your hearing checked, especially if you have concerns regarding hearing loss or feel as though your hearing has deteriorated over time.
Our free, three-step hearing test includes:
1. Air Conduction
You will be listening to tones of decreasing volume until they are no longer audible.
Both left and right ears will undergo this test independently.
2. Word Discrimination
You will listen to spoken words in both ears.
Since you won’t be able to read the speaker’s lips, this will effectively measure your ability to identify speech.
3. Tympanometry
In a tymnpanometry test, we will check whether your eardrums and middle ear system are working properly.
This way, we will be able to determine if your hearing loss is coming from your inner ear or your middle ear.
Hearing assessments are painless and take less than one hour of your day. All you have to do is choose a NexGen Hearing clinic near you to book your free hearing test.
Reasons to Test Your Hearing
While most adults get their eyes examined frequently, many people do not get their hearing tested as often as they should.
While hearing aids cannot repair hearing damage, they can help restore the sounds of the world around you.
Still, it is preferable to maintain the hearing level you already have and use preventative measures to ward off further hearing loss. A hearing test can help determine where that hearing loss is occurring, so that you can take measures to preserve your hearing from here on out.
Here are 3 reasons to visit an audiologist:
To catch hearing loss early
One in five adults in Canada experiences hearing loss.
The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be for your brain to adapt to hearing aids.
For health reasons
Hearing loss does not only occur due to aging.
It can be a symptom of several health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
Also, if you work in a noisy environment, getting your hearing tested can help you protect your ears better.
To establish a baseline
If you are in your 50s or more, and you haven’t gotten your hearing tested recently, it’s time to visit your local audiologist.
Even if there is no significant hearing loss, your test will serve as a benchmark for future assessments.
If you find yourself turning the volume up while your family complains about your hearing issues, or you are frequently asking other people to repeat themselves, you might be experiencing hearing loss. Do not postpone your hearing test any longer!
Listen to Your Body
Having established the importance of getting one’s hearing checked, we invite you to contact us today to schedule your free hearing test.
By examining your unique hearing requirements, our specialists will determine the best next steps for your hearing needs and assist you with any questions you may have.
