Community News
Who thinks about suicide?

How common is it to think about suicide?  About a plan to stop your life; to die and leave all of this?  Do you suddenly find yourself thinking about suicide and wonder how you got there?  Well, you’re not alone. Many people report they think about suicide and possible plans. It is estimated that 5% of the Canadian population has thoughts of suicide at one time or another (ASIST BC Crisis Centre).  Does that mean we’re all depressed? Or doing such a bad job of managing of our lives that we need to escape?

No. We are certainly not all depressed and most people with depression do not die by suicide or think about it all the time….and no, most of us may have one or two things in our lives we are struggling with, but our life overall is normal and acceptable. Thinking about suicide may start with thinking of a way to escape difficulty, sorrow, shame or guilt. Loss of people we love, relationships, jobs and money are all possible reasons to want to escape the feeling and the problem.  We are wired to find solutions to our problems and for most of we naturally reach out, talk to someone, and together we have the ability to find solutions other than death. Some people, however, do not have someone that will listen to them when they mention their thoughts of suicide as a way to end the problem.

September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day. I urge you to become aware of the commonness of thinking about suicide and seriously listen to someone that is hinting or talking about suicide, ending it all, or not having a choice.  We absolutely cannot make someone suicide by asking them if they are thinking about killing themselves.  Think about yourself.  If you have had thoughts of suicide, it started long before someone asked about it.  It was your idea – not theirs.  Let’s try to prevent a suicide by LISTENING to someone’s story, and trying to find a solution other than death.

Barbara Gilmore is a registered counsellor in Victoria BC region that discusses suicide in your life. Why did someone die? Why do I want to die?

Barbara Gilmore

Clinical Counselling CPCA#3625

www.bgilmorecounselling.com 

Be Still…with Reiki!

Do you have a hard time relaxing or getting a good night’s sleep?  Are you always on the go and feel you barely have time to breathe?  Does it feel like your mind and your body are constantly ON and unable to be still?

Try Reiki!!!   Reiki brings a deep relaxation to the mind and body that is hard to experience in other practices when first starting out on your road to better health.  It is hard to relax when you just can’t get still!

Reiki is a gentle but powerful energy healing technique used for relaxation, stress reduction and balance that can promote healing on many levels.  It is typically given by ‘laying on of hands’ as you lie on a massage table fully clothed.  This higher frequency, positive energy flows through the hands of the practitioner into your energy field releasing ‘energy blockages’ by lifting and transforming lower frequency energies such as worry, fear, anger and anxiety.

This deep relaxation experienced with Reiki can have many beneficial effects such as:

  • More calm/stillness to the body and mind
  • Better sleep
  • Increased clarity
  • Improved decision-making
  • Reduction of overwhelm and anxiety
  • Reduction of stress and pain
  • Opening to more love & compassion
  • Shifting of old perceptions
  • Dissolving of old habits/beliefs
  • Increased intuition and trust in life

Many of these effects are immediate and last for days after your session and others are cumulative.  A great thing about Reiki is that you can learn to do it yourself for your own personal healing and it works well with any other practice you are doing or therapy you are receiving.  Give it a try today and find the stillness you need for better health!

Gut Feeling

Poor gut health has been linked to fatigue, mood disorders like depression and anxiety, and a variety of conditions associated with nutrient deficiencies, such as anemia. Fibre is a great way to keep things regular and increase the elimination of toxins and waste from your digestive tract. Eat a variety of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains and grasses. If reaching the recommended 10 servings of vegetables per day seems unattainable, consider adding a greens powder to your daily routine to make things easier. Look for a product that is gluten-free, contains probiotics, and is juiced, as this maintains enzymes that improve the digestion and absorption of nutrients. By optimizing your gut, you can nourish your cells and boost your energy so you can fully dive into your favourite summertime activities!

Cassie Erwin, Enerex Botanicals Ltd. enerex.ca

Travel Tip : Cindy Knows Travel

Most of us tend to stray from our normal healthy routine when on a trip, and personally, I’m okay with that. But when I’m en route to my destination, that’s a different story. On travel days, whenever possible, I try to avoid eating foods that make me feel lethargic and bloated. It can be difficult to fight the temptation to stop at fast food restaurants in the airport, load up on unhealthy treats to snack on mid-flight, or over-caffeinate to prepare for your trip. But all it takes is a little planning to avoid these common pitfalls so that you step off the plane feeling refreshed, healthy, and ready to start your adventure!

Benefits of Aromatherapy Jewelry

Aromatherapy can be so effective at helping you feel better that people have come up with enormously creative ways to take advantage of its benefits. Aromatherapy diffuser bracelets and necklaces enable you to inhale the essential oil molecules on the go. This can help you be stimulated and energized, or focused and calm throughout the day. Add a drop of your favourite essential oil or blend to your bracelet or necklace before you leave home, and you are ready to enjoy the benefits. Feeling your jewelry around your wrist or neck will remind you to take a relaxing breath throughout the day. Enjoy!

Gut Feeling

Did you know that you can fight fatigue and depression by adding leafy greens, colorful fruits, and whole grains to your diet? Foods that are rich in natural nutrients will boost your gut health and eliminate toxins from your digestive tract. Another way to add leafy nutrients to your diet is through a greens powder. Look for a product that is gluten-free, contains probiotics, and is juiced, as this maintains enzymes that improve the digestion and absorption of nutrients. By optimizing your gut, you can nourish your cells and boost your energy so you can fully dive into your favourite summertime activities!

Bone Health Beyond Calcium

Calcium is most commonly associated with bone and dental health, and a deficiency in this mineral can lead to dental decay, osteopenia, and ultimately, osteoporosis. However, calcium also plays an important role in blood clotting, blood pressure, nerve signaling, and cell communication. Having poor hydrochloric acid (stomach acid) can impact calcium absorption, as can the presence of other minerals such as magnesium. Arguably most important is having optimal levels of fat-soluble vitamins D and K. Vitamin D helps with calcium absorption, and vitamin K regulates calcium concentrations in the body and pulls calcium into the bones.

Ask The Expert

Q: I scratched one of my eyes when I was tending some shrubs in my garden, and it’s not healing up very quickly. My eye doctor says that might take a long time. Is there anything I could do to make this better quicker?
A: It sounds like you have an injured cornea and that it is prone to poor healing, which is some bad luck on your part. You’ll likely need a ton of patience. Basic treatment for this includes warm compresses and indefinite usage of lubricating eyedrops. Sometimes the eye doctor can apply a contact lens to cover up the wound for a while. The very last resort is some kind of surgery to help smooth out the cornea. Let this be a gentle reminder to all gardeners to protect their eyes while working!

Osteoarthritis Pain?

Do you suffer from pain, stiffness, and discomfort in your major joints like knees and hips? You may have osteoarthritis. In addition, to many non-drug therapies such as losing weight, exercise, and supports, there are some over-the-counter medications that can help. These include topical anti-inflammatories, acetaminophen, and oral anti-inflammatories such ibuprofen or naproxen. If a trail of over-the counter medications is not successful, there are prescription medications that could tried. While each of these options has some risks of side effects or drug interactions, your pharmacist can help you determine what option is best for you.

Make Social Interaction a Priority

Maintaining relationships and spending time with others is essential to our emotional and mental well-being. It can help prevent depression, which affects 20% of the population over 70 years of age. Plan regular get-togethers with friends, such as a weekly lunch date or coffee with another senior or loved one. Scheduling social interactions gives us something to look forward to on a regular basis. For those who are truly adventurous, you can enjoy new experiences and meet new people by signing up for travel tours, book clubs, and much more at your local community centre.

Kombucha and Pancreatic Health

A 2013 research paper was published by the Department of Life Sciences & Biotechnology at Jadavpur University titled, “Effect of Kombucha, a fermented black tea in attenuating oxidative stress mediated tissue damage in alloxan induced diabetic rats”. The study compared antidiabetic (stabilizing and controlling blood glucose levels) and antioxidant effects of kombucha (KT), versus unfermented black tea (BT), in rats that had been given a substance to induce diabetes. While unfermented black tea’s antidiabetic and antioxidant effects were shown, KT was found to be even more efficient. The abstract states, “Results showed significant antidiabetic potential of the fermented beverage (150 mg lyophilized extract/kg bw for 14 days).”