Community News
What is Impacting Your Health?

Spring cleaning is usually focused on clearing out things around our homes. I challenge you to try clearing out limiting beliefs, habits and routines that impact your health. There is no time like the present to change things up and clean out the things that are hindering you from achieving your goals. Journaling and habit tracking are great initial steps to take to figure out what you are currently doing and what you want to change. Becoming more aware of what’s working and what is in need of change is essential. I can help.

Are You Getting the Right Vitamins & Minerals?

Aging gracefully can come with its challenges. One of the most important things you can do for your health is to ensure you’re getting the right vitamins and minerals. We all know about calcium, so here are some supplement suggestions that are equally important but less common. Always check with your healthcare provider before introducing new supplements into your diet. *Folic Acid – Helps with memory loss and depression. *Vitamin D – Works with calcium to help prevent osteoporosis. * Vitamin B12 – For red blood cell production and nerve health, and is especially important for strict vegetarians. Stay strong, and stay healthy for life!

Words to Live By

I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did but people will never forget how you made them feel. – Maya Angelou

Spring Has Arrived

Even though spring has sprung, we can still experience rain and cooler temperatures well into April. Make sure to continue to stay warm with these six hacks: *Stay warm indoors – put on that extra sweater. *Beware of slick outdoor conditions. Wet sidewalks and walkways can be very slippery and can cause a slip and fall in an instant. *Wear appropriate clothing outdoors. Layers and a windproof/waterproof outer layer are recommended. *Stay current on immunizations. Have you had your Covid booster? *Consume a balanced diet and *Keep well-hydrated. These are important all year long. Happy Spring.

Great Socks for Travel

Many of us have compression socks for travelling. On the day of travel, put them on when you get up; that is when your legs are less swollen. This allows your body to adapt to the socks. Make sure to leave them on for a few hours after you land to again allow your body to adapt. Wearing the socks for the extra time can reduce any swelling of the legs much more effectively than if they are taken straight off. Travel socks do not work unless you wear them. Voxxlife socks provide comfort compression that clients love to wear.

Ask Your Pharmacist

Do you have questions about vaccinations, how to quit smoking or other health issues? Your Pharmacist can help provide information and answer many of the questions that you may have. Vaccines can help prevent disease and save lives. Ask what vaccines might be right for you. Is 2023 your year to QUIT SMOKING? The B.C. Pharmacare’s Smoking Cessation Program helps eligible B.C. residents of any age stop using tobacco products by covering the full cost of nicotine gum, lozenges and patches. Ask your Pharmacist for more information about this program and vaccinations today.

Free Hearing Test Components

Hearing loss is a fairly common health issue for adults in Canada.

The good news is that it is treatable, especially when addressed at earlier stages. If your hearing is not what it used to be, why not schedule an appointment to get it checked as soon as possible.

To help with this, NexGen Hearing is pleased to offer free hearing tests at our hearing clinics across Vancouver, Lower Mainland BC, Vancouver Island and the British Columbia Interior.

What can you expect during this hearing test? That’s what we’ll explore in this edition of the NexGen Hearing blog.

What Does a Hearing Test Entail?

Being proactive about your hearing health today will pay off tomorrow.

That’s why we recommend getting your hearing checked, especially if you have concerns regarding hearing loss or feel as though your hearing has deteriorated over time.

Our free, three-step hearing test includes:

1. Air Conduction

You will be listening to tones of decreasing volume until they are no longer audible.

Both left and right ears will undergo this test independently.

2. Word Discrimination

You will listen to spoken words in both ears.

Since you won’t be able to read the speaker’s lips, this will effectively measure your ability to identify speech.

3. Tympanometry

In a tymnpanometry test, we will check whether your eardrums and middle ear system are working properly.

This way, we will be able to determine if your hearing loss is coming from your inner ear or your middle ear.

Hearing assessments are painless and take less than one hour of your day. All you have to do is choose a NexGen Hearing clinic near you to book your free hearing test.

Reasons to Test Your Hearing

While most adults get their eyes examined frequently, many people do not get their hearing tested as often as they should.

While hearing aids cannot repair hearing damage, they can help restore the sounds of the world around you.

Still, it is preferable to maintain the hearing level you already have and use preventative measures to ward off further hearing loss. A hearing test can help determine where that hearing loss is occurring, so that you can take measures to preserve your hearing from here on out.

Here are 3 reasons to visit an audiologist:

To catch hearing loss early

One in five adults in Canada experiences hearing loss.

The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be for your brain to adapt to hearing aids.

For health reasons

Hearing loss does not only occur due to aging.

It can be a symptom of several health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes.

Also, if you work in a noisy environment, getting your hearing tested can help you protect your ears better.

To establish a baseline

If you are in your 50s or more, and you haven’t gotten your hearing tested recently, it’s time to visit your local audiologist.

Even if there is no significant hearing loss, your test will serve as a benchmark for future assessments.

If you find yourself turning the volume up while your family complains about your hearing issues, or you are frequently asking other people to repeat themselves, you might be experiencing hearing loss. Do not postpone your hearing test any longer!

Listen to Your Body

Having established the importance of getting one’s hearing checked, we invite you to contact us today to schedule your free hearing test.

By examining your unique hearing requirements, our specialists will determine the best next steps for your hearing needs and assist you with any questions you may have.

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.