The holidays are a good time to think about downsizing and who many want some of your treasures. Your children and close friends may be gathering at your home. This is the opportunity to offer items to your loved ones. Ask if they actually want and can use an item, rather than assuming they want your belongings. Make it clear that saying “no” is acceptable, as they may have different tastes and needs. You can organize items by category and handle sentimental items with care by creating scrapbooks or discussing the stories behind items to preserve their meaning. Visit our website for more downsizing tips.
The Holidays and your Teeth
The holidays are coming, with candy, Christmas cookies, and fancy drinks. Go ahead and indulge in the delicious foods of the season in moderation while still following good dental hygiene. *Don’t brush your teeth right after you eat. The acids in foods can weaken your enamel if you brush too soon. By waiting 30 minutes, your saliva will neutralize some of the acid. *Watch your sugar intake. Too much sugar can negatively affect the PH of your saliva, which helps keep your teeth and gums healthy. *Be sure to brush and floss regularly. Happy Holidays!
Wellness Expo – Call for Exhibitors
Wellnessnews Choices for Healthy Living® will host the 5th Annual Wellness Expo on February 28, 2026 at Beban Park Social Centre in Nanaimo. Registration is now open for Exhibitors. The Expo offers a day to explore various approaches to health, nutrition, fitness, and overall well-being. It will feature exhibitors, health talks and more. The 2024 Expo attracted over 700 attendees. Early Bird Exhibitor rate ends on January 15, 2026.
The Loneliness Epidemic
Chronic loneliness in older adults is a growing health concern, linked to depression, cognitive decline, and even increased mortality. Many seniors experience isolation due to mobility issues, loss of loved ones, or living alone. Senior residences can significantly reduce loneliness by offering a supportive, social environment: daily activities, communal dining, and shared spaces foster connection and engagement. Professional staff provide care and companionship, ensuring residents feel seen and valued. With structured routines and peer interaction, senior living communities promote mental well-being and help restore a sense of belonging and purpose in daily life.
Stay Connected, Stay Healthy
Hearing well isn’t just about catching every word—it’s about staying connected, active, and engaged. Untreated hearing loss can increase stress, strain relationships, and affect memory. Protect your hearing by limiting exposure to loud sounds, using ear protection when needed, and booking regular hearing check-ups. Modern hearing solutions from Beltone Hearing are discreet, comfortable, and tailored to your lifestyle, helping you enjoy conversations, music, and the sounds of everyday life. Don’t let hearing loss hold you back—take charge today and nurture your health, relationships, and wellbeing through better hearing.
Downsizing Checklist for Seniors
The thought of downsizing can be very frightening. Here is a checklist that can make the task less daunting: *Create a plan—decide on a moving date, hire help, and decide what you can’t live without. *Organize future floor space—measure your future home and your furniture to make sure it will fit. *Tackle smaller areas first. *Get rid of unwanted items—host a yard sale, donate, recycle, or give them away. *Move larger areas—organize kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms. *Prepare moving paperwork—contact utility services, update billing address, and notify the post office of the change of address. Visit our website for more information.
Your Personal Pharmacist
Do you have a personal pharmacist on your wellness team? A personal pharmacist pays close attention to your needs and provides personalized care. Whether it’s managing your diabetes, heart health, or another chronic condition, they are invested in your health. Your personal pharmacist can help make sure your medication is the right fit and introduce you to tools that make day-to-day medication management easier. With the expanded role of pharmacists, they can assess and prescribe medication for certain minor conditions that do not require a doctor’s visit. When you have a minor condition, book an appointment with your pharmacist for a free assessment.
Live Theatre “A Baker’s Dozen”
It is winter and bitterly cold. Jason Gregory sits in a modest hotel room. He is there because the last living member of his family, his sister, has died. Enter the fascinating dreamscape drama of this world premiere production of “A Baker’s Dozen”, written by local Nanaimo playwright Ward Norcutt. Join us on the journey into Jason’s mind as the voices of his family inundate him, played out before you. This living, breathing family drama dives into the ties of family bonds and the stakes and curses, both real and imagined, that will leave you moved to the core.
Two Words Can Derail Your Relationship
Do you ever say “Always” or “Never” to a loved one? In relationships, these words act like triggers—putting your partner on the defensive. If you say, “You never load the dishwasher,” their thinking brain shuts down, and their emotions take over. Instead of hearing you, they focus on proving you wrong: “Remember, I did it last Thursday!” Like swearing, “always” and “never” can derail a conversation into conflict. Try softer words like “often” or “sometimes,” or even better, use positive reinforcement: “When you load the dishwasher, I feel cared for. Thank you for considering me.”
Prioritize Social Interactions
The fall and winter months can restrict our social interactions and activities if we allow that to happen. It is time to prioritize social interactions and become more active. Being social and active is associated with many health benefits; Activities help our physical and mental health while socializing promotes good mental and emotional health. Walking is a perfect activity that can be done outside when conditions permit or indoors in a mall or on a treadmill. Once we start, we tend to do more healthful things, so get out and have a walk with a friend, socialize and engage – you’ll feel better for it!
Biofield Tuning for Change of Season
The fall season often carries a quiet grief. Whether it’s the ache of shifting seasons, the weight of a memory, or the absence of a loved one, as we strive to move forward and through, grounding practices become essential anchors. Biofield Tuning is about attuning to the natural rhythms of nature. It can help us ground and find our way back to the center. During this season, sound can help us reconnect with the earth’s electromagnetic pulse, offering a gentle companion in times of loss and reflection. Contact me for a free consultation.


