With our days already busy with work and our loved ones, the pandemic causes many of us extra stress and anxiousness. To combat anxiety or burnout, engage in the practice of mindfulness to improve your mental wellbeing. Mindfulness is the practice of taking time to stop, think and focus on the present moment. This means being aware of your state of mind and thoughts, what feelings or sensations you are experiencing, the environment, and your breathing. Allowing yourself the time to be in the present helps you to calm down, frees your body of tension, and relieves your mind of distressing thoughts.
Community News
Celebrating Memories on Mother’s Day
Whether the loss of your mother was recent or long ago, you can honour her life in creative ways from the safety of your home. *Make a statement – Plant her favourite flower in remembrance, *Social Media – Make a Facebook page dedicated to your mom and invite family to post photos and stories. Ask your funeral home or cemetery about free online memorials, *Pay it forward – Volunteer or make a donation to her favourite charity. *Remember her favourites – Honour and remember her by doing something she loved, *Celebrate together – Host a video call where everyone can exchange stories and share her favourite memory.
Customized Hearing Aid Service
Once hearing loss has been identified and the hearing aids have been prescribed and ordered, they usually arrive in 5-7 days. They are then fitted and programmed to your individual needs. A two-week follow up is scheduled for any necessary adjustments or questions regarding use, care and maintenance. A two month follow up is recommended to ensure continued success with the hearing aids. Finally, yearly checkups are scheduled to ensure that everything is working well. All services are complementary with the purchase of your hearing aid. If your hearing loss has changed over time, your devices can be reprogrammed.
Joys of Family Vacations
We may not be able to travel far this summer; thankfully, we live on Vancouver Island which offers everything we could want for a nature vacation. Family vacation time is important for the family unit. Researchers have found that family vacations can improve family communication and bonding. Most families spend their days dealing with work, school, extracurricular activities, or household duties. Breaking away from the stress of daily routine provides relief. Taking time together to share experiences and activities creates memories that will last a lifetime. We still reminisce about a three week family vacation that happened almost 50 years ago.
Relief for Restless Legs
Do you sometimes experience an uncontrollable urge to move your legs? HealthLink BC identifies Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) as a disorder related to sensation and movement. The symptoms, often most severe in the evening or nighttime, are an unpleasant or uncomfortable sensations in the legs causing an irresistible urge to move them. Moving the legs only offers temporary relief. If symptoms are mild, a few lifestyle changes may be enough to control them. *Avoid tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine, *Keep the bedroom cool, quiet, and comfortable, *Get regular exercise, *Massage the leg or use heat or ice packs. Some people find relief wearing VoxxLife socks with woven HPT technology.
Closing an Estate
Closing the estate of someone who died can be a tough job while coping with shock or grief. Issues such as properties, insurance, investments, beneficiaries must be taken care of even if the estate is a simple one. When considering your own final affairs, help loved ones by collecting contact information for employers, creditors and investment agencies and note the whereabouts of your Will, Deeds and Ownerships. Record this information in one place to simplify life for your family. The complimentary Family Registry Estate Planner provided by Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens offers a simple method of making all of this crucial information immediately available to your survivors.
Support Chemainus Theatre
The Playbill Dining Room at Chemainus Theatre Festival is open for dining on Friday and Saturday evenings with physical-distancing and safety measures in place. Chemainus Theatre Festival is a not-for-profit registered charity; generous donations from patrons enable them to continue the work. The Chemainus Theatre Bridging the Gap Fund has been established to help them withstand this difficult time and to return when it is safe to do so. Today more than ever, they rely on charitable support. If you are able to help, any donation will be an integral part of helping them build towards their next season.
Role of the Pharmacist
Pharmacists are experts in prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs; and are trained on diseases, symptoms, treatment and signs that require an appointment with a doctor. Your pharmacist will ensure your prescribed medication is appropriate for your health issue, is the correct dose based on your weight and kidney health and does not interact with any medication you are already taking. As appropriate, you pharmacist may suggest a complementary treatment to prevent side effects and can help ensure that you aren’t taking drugs that are no longer needed. If you feel unwell, your pharmacist may recommend an OTC medication or refer you to a health care professional.
Wanted! Check-in Volunteers
Are you a cheerful person with good communication skills? Do you have 2 hours per week available to chat and connect with a senior in your community? Check‐In Services Volunteers are an essential part of the Nanaimo Lifeline team. They support seniors in the community by maintaining a social connection and referring individuals to resources and events within the community. This role is a great fit for individuals who are comfortable speaking on the phone and want to help people in their community stay connected and engaged. Training is provided by Lifeline staff and volunteers.
Tips for the Start of Gardening Season
Spring is in the air and summer is right around the corner! It is the time to start planting flowers, veggies and fruit. Planting and digging in your garden requires you to be on the ground and mostly on your knees. Simply using a knee cushion will help take the hard tension off your knees and legs and keep the strain off your back. Always try to take breaks and stand up to give your back a stretch. This will straighten up your spine and prevent your body from being sore and tight the next day. Most importantly, enjoy the sun!
Look After the Caregiver
When you are the caregiver of a loved one, it’s important to also take care of yourself. Here are some signs that you may be suffering from burn out: *Withdrawal from family and friends *Changes in sleep patterns *Feelings of irritability, helplessness and resentment *Decline in your own health. Things you can do to support yourself include talking to a trusted friend or co-worker; finding a support group and being realistic about your loved one’s state of health. Recognize that the time may come when your loved one will need specialized long term care and know that it is available in your community.
