Dealing with grief can be twice as hard during the holidays. The first holiday after the loss of a loved one changes the way a family celebrates. Although family traditions and rituals are sacred events, they can be adapted to the changing dynamics in the family. Planning for the change, whether it be starting new family traditions or updating old ones, creates realistic expectations around significant events. It is important to acknowledge that things are going to be different. Adjusting to a family member passing is a big transition; accept it for what it is – an opportunity to create stronger family bonds and traditions.

To start, you will meet with a Hearing Care professional and a thorough history will be taken. An inspection of your ears will take place to confirm good ear health. You will be asked to respond to tones in a sound treated room. The tones tested are specific and range from the low to high frequencies that are important for hearing speech. You will undergo word testing to measure your communication abilities and how you hear speech in quiet and in noisy situations. Results are recorded to guide the Hearing Care Professional in forming a treatment plan if hearing loss is present.

Smell is amazing. It is far more than just a sniff or a whiff of something. Smell is the most primal of all of our senses and is the only one embedded in the limbic brain. The limbic brain is our emotional brain and in the end EVERYTHING boils down to how we FEEL. Our ability to smell has the ability to alter mood and behaviour. Changing how we feel changes behaviour. Instead of striving for a scent free environment, get rid of synthetic scents and toxins. Replace them with the smells of nature to improve mood and motivation. Viva our sense of smell!

The holidays can be a time of happiness and a time of high stress. We stress over meal preparation, finding the perfect gift, and traveling home. It’s important during this season to take some time for ourselves to rest and reflect on the year we have had. Increased stress levels reduce our immune systems, making us more susceptible to colds and flus. Rest, drink lots of water, eat healthy, get exercise, and take care of any aches and pains by seeing your local physiotherapist, massage therapist or chiropractor. You are important so take care of you too. Happy Holidays!

December can be overwhelming as we try to prepare for the holiday season. We often forget to stop and enjoy moments with our friends and family. Here are some holiday-themed events for the whole family: • SKATES with SANTA: Tuesday, December 17, 6:30-8 pm at Frank Crane Arena and Friday, December 20, 3:45-5:15 pm at Nanaimo Ice Centre. • DUNK with SANTA: Saturday, December 21, 3-5 pm at Nanaimo Aquatic Centre. • WINTER WONDERLAND – $2 Skating Sessions: December 24 & 26 to 30 at Frank Crane Arena. • FINALE 2019 – Family New Year’s Eve Party: December 31, 5-10 pm at Beban Park.

Winter is almost here and with that comes the cold and wet weather. Wearing warm clothing helps prevent frost bite, achy muscles and getting a cold or the flu. Proper warm insulated boots with good grips will keep your feet warm so you can still be outside to do what you love to do! A good pair of Walking Poles can be a key part in your outdoor adventures. They keep your balance inline, provide extra stability and give you a light workout! Our physiotherapists can show you proper poling technique and help you with all your Poling needs.

Are you tired of endless laundry? Do you wish your dirty clothes could magically appear washed and folded? The Laundry Fairy can do that for you. Your time is valuable so don’t waste it doing laundry. Simply schedule the Laundry Fairy’s pick-up and drop-off time and they will do your laundry for you. They pick it up, wash, dry and fold it, and then deliver it back to you the next day at your scheduled convenience. FREE pick up and drop off is available in Nanaimo and Lantzville with 24 hour turn around, 7 days a week.

With the weather getting cooler and the days getting shorter, it’s easy to make excuses for ditching the spring and summer exercise routine. The City of Nanaimo Active Pass will keep you moving. It allows unlimited access to all public drop-in sessions, including swimming, skating, gymnasium sports, weight rooms and more! One of the best ways to end the day is by relaxing in the sauna or steam room at Nanaimo Aquatic Centre or Beban Pool – also a benefit to your Active Pass purchase. For more information, please see the Fall and Winter Activity Guide.

There’s a lot of research on the impact of hearing loss and how it can affect your quality of life. The benefits of improved hearing are substantial and can include: * Reduced fatigue, frustration and stress. * Greater confidence in the ability to communicate. * Improved personal relationships. * Enhanced sense of awareness with one’s surroundings. *Renewed ability to hear sounds that have been forgotten. Early hearing loss detection is key to finding the right solution so you remain confident in your conversations and continue getting the most out of life. Call your hearing professional today to book your complimentary hearing test and consultation.