Preparing for labour begins long before a woman reaches term. Regular acupuncture during pregnancy supports and maintains the woman’s health and the health of the pregnancy. The strength of acupuncture is that it helps supplement, regulate, and harmonize the processes taking place. They can then unfold smoothly and unimpeded, helping foster the conditions necessary for labour to start and progress naturally. Many women pre-book their acupuncture treatments to coincide with midwife or obstetrician visits, and alternate them with their massage, physio and chiro treatments. This helps the body and mind to more fully maximize and integrate the benefits of each treatment.

With school in session, it is time to get back into your exercise routines. Go for long walks around the lake or along the water front. Walking with a friend or using your Walking Poles is the key to a revitalized life. Stretching the body increases flexibility and joint range of motion. Having flexible muscles can improve your daily performance. Stretching also increases the blood flow to your muscles allowing your body to move, so you can enjoy those long walks and to feel good and refreshed for those busy days ahead. Make the move to a healthier life.

Making final arrangements ahead of time is a wise and considerate decision made by more and more families today. It guarantees that your wishes are observed and spares your family from undue pressure at a time of great emotional stress. By planning step-by-step while minds are clear, families can discuss creative and budgetary options. Payments can be made in today’s prices. Perhaps the most important reason to plan your own cemetery arrangements in advance is that it provides a special peace of mind. With everything in place, you can go about the business of living.

It is hard to watch the health of your loved one decline. Choosing residential care is an emotional and difficult time for the individual and their family. Exercising due diligence when choosing a home will pay off with a lot of peace of mind knowing that your loved one’s physical and medical challenges are met. Look beyond the decor and focus on the inner “gut” feeling you get when walking into a facility. Smaller private residential care can be a great alternative to the large institutions. It is also a solution while waiting for your turn for an Island Health subsidized bed.

Here are some tips from Parks and Recreation to help you stay active this fall season: * Change Your Perspective – Being active keeps you healthy. * Try Something New – Parks and Recreation now has Zumba drop-in classes at Oliver Wood for only $7. * Get Creative at Home – Invest in a few pieces of equipment and exercise for a few minutes each day. * Buddy Up – Make a commitment to exercise with somebody else. * Set a Goal –How about getting in 10,000 steps every day for three months?
Looking for ways to stay active? Check out the Activity Guide or visit recreation.nanaimo.ca.

Hearing aids have a life span of about 3-5 years. With good maintenance and care, they can last many years after that. However, to receive the best care and technology, it is recommended to invest in new hearing aids after the initial 3-5 years. Faster processing within the hearing aids, improvements in speech-in-noise, rechargeability and wireless connectivity are just some of the technological advancements. Hearing aids are programmed specific to your hearing loss and process sounds to best meet your needs. Contact your hearing professional to find out more about the best investment in technology for your hearing loss and lifestyle.

Having acupuncture throughout your pregnancy is a safe, drug-free way to enhance the good development of your pregnancy. Acupuncture can help supplement, regulate and harmonize the processes that are taking place in the body, and supports recovery once baby arrives. Labour preparation acupuncture from week 36 on, supports ripening of the cervix and the relaxing and softening of the pelvic ligaments and tendons so that the baby gate will open easily. It also strengthens the mother’s stamina to labour, and ensures that internal conditions are optimal for baby to stay in good position to spin and descend.

Nanaimo Theatre Group opens the season with Douglas Post’s Murder in Green Meadows, a murder mystery filled with so many twists and turns the audience will be second guessing themselves right up to the final curtain. Thomas Devereaux, a successful architect and local contractor and his lovely wife, Joan, have recently moved into their dream home. They are soon visited by their new neighbours, and a friendship develops between the two couples. But underneath the cool, Middle American exterior, something is truly rotten. The show opens October 18 at the Bailey Studio.

“Nanaimo’s Parks and Recreation fall slogan is “Take a Moment to Move”! Try a dance, fitness or yoga program, walk in our local parks and trails, or drop in for a swim or skate. There are so many opportunities to move your body in your community.

Studies are showing that active people can prolong their life by several years, and being active has countless health benefits that are above the obvious physical ones!

Need some ideas to help you get or stay active? Contact our recreation experts at recreation.nanaimo.ca.”