Have you registered to walk in the Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) walk? This family-friendly walk helps ICCS run programs that provide shelter, care, and holistic support to empower people to step forward to independence and hope. There is no registration fee to enter. Team up, walk and fundraise! If you raise $150, you will receive one of this year’s amazing toques. The event takes place on February 24th and features family-friendly 2 or 5 km walks. See the website for details on how you can get involved. Join tens of thousands of Canadians in over 180 communities who are participating to support their local community.
Community News
Live Theatre: Leading Ladies
NTG has been entertaining audiences of all ages for over 60 years. Their next production is “Leading Ladies.” In this play, two actors, Jack and Leo, find themselves so down on their luck that they are reduced to playing “Scenes from Shakespeare” at a Moose Lodge. When they hear that an elderly lady is about to die and leave her fortune to her two long-lost nephews, they resolve to pass themselves off as her beloved relatives and pick up the cash!! Romantic entanglements abound, and the mayhem begins when they arrive and discover that the relatives aren’t nephews but nieces!
Health Benefits of Knitting
Did you know that knitting has mental health benefits? Knitting involves the movement of the hands and fingers. This active finger and wrist movement, dexterity, and fine motor coordination can facilitate improvements in other functional skills. Recent studies show that knitting can help with: ▪Lowering blood pressure, ▪Reducing depression and anxiety, ▪Slowing onset of dementia, ▪Distracting from chronic pain, ▪Increasing sense of wellbeing, ▪Reducing loneliness and isolation. Knitting is one of many activities offered and encouraged at Sherwood House.
Endocrine Massage Testimonial
“Recently, I experienced my first endocrine massage and the repairing touch of a healer’s hands. This was a gentle stretch to balance my emotions, a soft awakening to bring about calmness. The massage began with my feet and Davana essential oil, which prepares the body like a primer, setting the scene for the gathering that follows. Jen has found a way to gather your emotions and bring balance back into the ‘crazy hormones’ that have been running amuck within. An amazing scalp and back massage followed. Afterwards, I felt calm. I felt peaceful. I felt balance.” Tamara Mize
Relationships are Everything
Relationships are part of humans’ ingenious and innate mechanism for healing. To remain in connection with the Other, we do the work we might not otherwise do, ultimately mending our relationship with ourselves as well. As the newest associate at Shore Counselling Services in Nanaimo, Jude brings a wealth of integrated, experiential and trauma-informed practices to the art of relationships with a sound integration of professional, evidence-based practices. Non-Violent Communication and the Way of Council are two of the integrations seeing the greatest results. Book a 1-hour Couples Consult with Jude by visiting our website. Consult is available online or in Nanaimo.
Support is a Game Changer
2024 Post-holiday debt can pile up quickly and become overwhelming. The stress of overdue bills can tempt us to use gambling as a quick fix. Gambling can cost us everything—not only our money but our mental and physical health, especially when we are seeking financial or emotional relief. Free tools and confidential supports are available, including voluntary self-exclusions, gambling-blocking apps (GamBan, GamBlock), a 24/7 toll-free phone line, credit counsellors, financial advisors, ministers, pastors, podcasts (Fold ’Em), or connect with us. Support is a game-changer!
Supporting Our Communities
Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) is an annual event that supports people in our communities who have experienced homelessness. This fundraiser helps ICCS run programs that provide shelter, care and holistic support to help them step forward to independence and hope. CNOY 2024 takes place on February 24th, 2024, drawing individuals together to support the cause through raising money as well as taking part in a 2 km or 5 km walk. Across Canada, over 180 communities are involved with CNOY, supported by people who care about their communities and the most vulnerable people who live in them.
Remedy for Arthritis Pain
Arthritis is the development of calcium crystals in the body. It is especially painful when it develops in the joints. Contrary to common belief, it is not a normal part of aging. Crystals will develop if a body has been inactive for as little as two to three weeks. You can get rid of the calcium crystals in your body and, therefore, the symptoms of arthritis, by using movement. There are massage techniques that can be done by a practitioner, or you can learn how to perform these movements on yourself. Contact me for more information on massage services and self-massage classes.
Health Benefits of Acupuncture
Acupuncture, an ancient healing practice, offers holistic wellness benefits. By stimulating specific points in the body, it promotes energy flow, aiding in pain relief, stress reduction and improved circulation. This technique, rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, can alleviate migraines and back pain, and even aid in managing chronic conditions like arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. Acupuncture also supports mental health by reducing anxiety and enhancing relaxation. Incorporating acupuncture as a complementary therapy alongside modern medicine fosters a balanced approach to health. Boost the effectiveness of an acupuncture session by being well-hydrated. Acupuncture is covered by Extended Health Care Plans.
Smoking Cessation Action Plan
Did you make a New Year’s resolution to stop smoking? Your pharmacist can provide advice and guide you through this journey. Here’s an action plan: *Choose a starting point—pick a date, tell your friends and family, and ask them for support. *Meet your pharmacist to help determine how dependent you are on nicotine. *Follow a personalized treatment plan; your pharmacist can prescribe a tailored solution, including nicotine replacement products. *Reward yourself when you’re progressing. Many benefits of a smoke-free life can be felt in the long term, and some benefits are almost instant, so keep on going!
Danger of Negative Thoughts
Do you find yourself having negative thoughts? Negative thinking can be very harmful to our mental and physical health and make us weak. If we think, “I can’t do this” or “I am worthless,” we start to believe that it’s true. It is up to us to dismiss them. Thoughts are like clouds floating in the sky. We have the choice to latch onto them or to let them float by. What we latch onto most, whether positive or negative, becomes the trend. Positive thoughts make us strong. Make 2024 the year to be strong in mind and body.
