Have you heard of Canada’s Low-Risk Gambling Guidelines (#LRGG)? Guideline 1: Gamble no more than 1% of household income, e.g.: $60,000 annual gross income = $50/month. Guideline 2: Gamble no more than 4 days per month = roughly once a week. Guideline 3: Avoid regularly gambling at more than 2 types of games, including lotteries, sports betting, table games, slot machines, scratch tickets, horse racing, bingo, video lottery terminals (VLTs), and online gambling. Mental health & addictions, gambling type and reasons for gambling can make these guidelines difficult to follow. Reach out to VI Gaming Support! We’re here for you.
Community News
Nutritional Insecurity
“I always find that as the weather changes, I move from eating lots of soups and winter roots to lighter fruit and vegetables. However, sometimes it is hard to get my hands on my favourite healthy foods and I wind up eating the stuff that is easier at hand and faster to prepare.” Does this sound familiar? For approximately one-third of seniors in Canada, factors including ease of access, cooking time, mobility, loneliness and more, contribute to nutritional insecurity. Comfort Keepers caregivers can help you shop, prepare and enjoy healthy home-cooked meals! Contact us.
National Volunteers Week: April 16 – 23
Are you looking for a fulfilling volunteer opportunity? At Nanaimo Lifeline, we have two wonderful opportunities for you to give back. Our Check-In Service offers a daily friendly phone call to our clients, providing reassurance to those who might be isolated. Best of all, you can make these calls from home! Are you techy? Another volunteer opportunity is to also install our plug-and-play equipment in new clients’ homes in your area. We will provide the training and accompany you until you’re ready. For more information about our volunteer opportunities, please go to the About Us section of our website.
Profile: On Track Wellness
Jennifer Baker’s wellness journey started when she went chemical free. She realized that what we put on and in our bodies is the key to a healthier life. Her journey began with Epicure, a Vancouver Island company that helps get healthy, clean food on the table affordably and quickly. She became certified to provide Raindrop Massages, Reiki treatments, card readings and more to help herself and her clients achieve and maintain both physical and spiritual wellness. As her wellness journey evolved, On Track Wellness was born. Jennifer is living her best life helping people stay on track with their wellness.
Retirement Lifestyle
When is the best time to start thinking about downsizing and moving to a smaller house or a retirement community? The answer is … well before you need to do so. Downsizing is often a stressful process. Start slowly and give yourself plenty of time to make it seem less overwhelming. Take photos of cherished items to remember them by. Research and look at the various options for retirement living before you need to make a move. It will take the fear and stress away knowing that you have done your homework and have started the downsizing process.
Are You Doing A Spring Detox?
Spring is the season of cleansing and renewal. Before starting a detox, consider the following? 1) Are you under stress? If yes, your body may not be able to get rid of toxins. Your Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) regulates voluntary and involuntary physiological processes in the body – including detoxification. An ANS that is out of balance is inefficient. 2) Are you drinking enough good quality water and replenishing electrolytes to stay hydrated? 3) Are your emunctories (pathways of elimination such as liver, intestines, and kidneys) ready and well to eliminate the toxins from your body? Detox safely!
Nar-Anon Family Groups
It is no secret that addiction issues have become a glaring part of our community; what is less obvious is the loved ones affected by this disease. Addiction is a family disease as it not only harms the person who is abusing substances, but it deeply affects the loved ones of the user. “The sickness spreads to those of us who care the most.” “In Nar-Anon we learn a better way to live.” If someone else’s addiction is causing you to feel out of control, isolated and or alienated, Nar-Anon is here for you. For more information visit our website.
Clarity is Key
When making any changes to your lifestyle, having a clear understanding of why and what you are changing is key to long-term success. If you’re unclear about the direction you wish to move towards you may find yourself being pulled in another direction. Clarity is the first of many baby steps to take when reaching a goal; it’s a common place to get stuck especially if you’re a perfectionist. Clarity can be refined as you progress. Reflecting on how you’re proceeding is the best tool to get more clear about how, why and what you do to reach your goals.
Medication and Supplement Review
Do you take a number of prescription medications along with over-the counter health supplements? Combining certain medications and supplements can cause medications to become ineffective and the combinations may even be harmful to your health. Many people do not have a good understanding of the medications that they have been prescribed, the supplements that they take or their possible harmful interactions. Your Personal Pharmacist can sit down with you to review your medications and supplements, answer any questions you may have and make sure you are getting the most out of your medication.
The Journey to Better Hearing
Recognizing the signs of hearing loss in yourself can be difficult, and taking steps to address hearing loss can be even harder. Many individuals with hearing loss delay treatment 7-10 years and are often not sure how to seek assistance. With the right steps, creating a treatment plan can be simple.
Don’t Wait – Have Your Hearing Assessed
Once you start to notice signs of hearing loss, the first step is to obtain a hearing assessment. You can do this by contacting a local hearing health professional or obtaining a referral from your primary care physician.
During the hearing assessment, the clinician will determine your lifestyle and communication needs as well as the type and degree of hearing loss present. If a medical condition is identified a referral will be made to the appropriate health professional.
Hearing Aid Selection & Fitting
If hearing aids are recommended, the clinician will work with you to find the right product that will meet your hearing and lifestyle needs. A trial period with the chosen hearing aid is an important part of the process, as it provides you time to adjust to the hearing aids so you are able to assess the benefit accurately. It can sometimes take multiple visits to the clinic to have the hearing aids adjusted. It is important to establish a trusted relationship with your hearing health professional as hearing aids require ongoing maintenance and at a minimum should be checked annually.
NexGen Hearing offers free hearing tests and hearing aid consultations, hearing aid fittings, leasing options and sales. Book an appointment at one of our 45+ clinics in the BC Interior, Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island by clicking here or calling 1-877-606-6671
Keep Betting in Perspective
March Madness (NCAA Basketball) is one of the biggest sports betting events across North America. According to a study at AmericanGaming.org reported on 888Gambler.org, in 2019, 47M Americans gambled on March Madness, with an estimated $8.5B wagered. More than 40M participants filled in over 149M brackets, with 18M Americans wagering about $3.9B on sportsbooks alone. And these are strictly American statistics. In Canada, online sports betting was recently legalized (August 2021), however, 3rd party apps abound, offering sports betting enthusiasts many opportunities and types of gambling. Keep sports betting fun and in perspective. Don’t let a game you can’t control, control you.
