Studies continually show the benefits of being active and socializing as an important part of being healthy – both physically and emotionally even during a pandemic. The City of Nanaimo is excited to be offering winter programs that take place from January to March. Registration for these program starts on Wednesday, December 2. Join us this season for swimming, skating, fitness, yoga, art, language courses and more! Parks & Recreation offers classes that have safety protocols in place to keep you safe from COVID-19. See our website for a listing of all our upcoming winter programs.
Community News
Take a “Staycation”
Taking a vacation can benefit your overall wellbeing and it doesn’t have to mean leaving town or hopping on a plane. Taking a “staycation” can give you much-needed time away from work and remove you from additional work related stress and the risk of burnout. A break from work can allow you to rebuild your energy and provides the opportunity to catch up on sleep and exercise. A well-rested mind, free of worry, is often more effective and creative. Taking time off can be a great chance to relax, rest and enjoy the most of what life has to offer, even life during a pandemic.
Relief for Sore Feet and Legs
Do you spend a lot of your day standing or walking? Being on your feet for long periods of time can cause sore feet, swelling of the legs, varicose veins, general muscular fatigue, and other health problems. VoxxLife socks with HPT technology provide enhanced pain relief and management, better stability and balance, improved mobility and more energy. The Athletic Knee highs with gentle compression reduce swelling, keep muscles warm, increase blood flow in the legs and are comfortable for all wearers. Wool work socks with HPT are ideal for working outdoors and for activities like skating and hiking. Socks make great gifts.
Health and the Aging Brain
A mystery of Alzheimer’s is why some people develop the disease while others don’t. This makes finding a cure extremely difficult. Studies show that some of the risks factors of possibly developing the disease include; a history of past concussions, untreated food allergies, high blood glucose levels, neurotoxins and ingesting food grown with pesticides like glyphosate. What can you do to lower the risk? Nourish the brain with the right minerals, fats, vitamins and surround yourself with the right people. It’s vital to get out into nature and exercise! Your Brain will love you for this in its elder years.
Laser for Healing and Pain Relief
Lasers and LED’s are very successful at relieving pain. They produce intense beams of light at specific wavelengths that relieve symptoms of diagnosed neck or back pain, joint conditions, soft tissue injury, concussion symptoms and more. In addition, high-intensity single point lasers can release trigger points and treat acupuncture points. There is substantial clinical evidence published in peer-reviewed medical journals that Photobiomodulation (PBM Therapy) can stimulate repair of tissue, reduce inflammation and relieve pain in musculoskeletal disorders. These studies find that the median magnitude for pain relief using lasers is at least twice that of NSAIDS.
Source Local, Support Local
The Central Island Wellness HUB is an online health and wellness resource with local businesses and local information. The Wellness HUB features hundreds of business and practitioners offering services and products in the central Island area. In addition, there are hundreds of health tips and articles on a variety of topics. It is easy to search, access and share information. Do you have a health and wellness business? You can become a member with a free basic listing. See the website for more details.
Tips for Fall Prevention
November is Falls Prevention month. Falls are a real concern for older adults. The following tips can reduce your risk:*Get regular exercise and physical activity. *Have your medications reviewed by a physician or pharmacist as some medication combinations can cause dizziness that leads to falling. *Have your vision and hearing checked regularly. Poor vision and hearing are linked to increased risk of falls. *Make your home safer – remove tripping hazards, improve lighting and keep important items within reach. In the event that a fall happens, getting help quickly is important. Lifeline’s Auto Alert button provides help 24/7 and automatically detects falls.
Benefits of Walking Poles
Nordic pole walking, developed in Finland in the 1990s, is now one of the most popular types of exercise for seniors. Walking poles used in pairs, help maintain the right balance and rhythm while walking. They are useful in reducing the risk of tripping, sliding and stumbling over small hazards and on uneven terrain. The benefits of urban pole walking, especially for seniors includes improved endurance, heart health, blood flow, strength, and resting metabolic rate. For people recovering from surgery or anyone with balance issues, pole walking can help you get moving again. Want to learn more about Walking Poles? Come for a free Walking Pole Seminar.
A Toy for Every Child this Christmas
Since 1982, The Great Nanaimo Toy Drive has been making sure that every child in Nanaimo has a new toy to unwrap on Christmas morning. With Covid-19, this year is a little more challenging but individuals, families, groups and businesses in Nanaimo, with the help of over 100 volunteers, will make it happen. You can help by purchasing a toy or gift (no stuffies or electronics due to Covid regulations) for a child aged newborn to 16 and dropping it at one of the many drop off locations listed on their website. Financial donations can be made through Canada Helps.
Drop-in Activity Sessions Now Available
Have you been missing your aquafit, length swimming, skating, working out in the gym or playing a game of badminton at Oliver Woods? Parks, Recreation and Culture is again offering a variety of drop-in sessions after shutting down due to the pandemic. Pre-register (up to 72 hours in advance) for your swimming, skating, weight room, gymnasium sports and pottery sessions by going online to recreation.nanaimo.ca or by calling us at 250-756-5200. Schedules for these activities are available in PDF format on our website. We are happy to welcome you back and hope to see you soon!
Final Resting Place
With all that is happening in the world today, we may find ourselves thinking about our final plans. When you die, where would you like your final resting place to be? With your partner? With your parents or children? If you are like most, you have not yet made up your mind. This is a conversation that should take place sooner rather than later. If your plans have been made, you want to ensure that they are up-to-date. These days, many Canadians are moving farther away, living longer and changing family traditions. This reinforces the need to review and update your end-of-life plans every five-to-ten years or so, or when major life events happen.
