The theme for the 2019 Gambling Awareness Week is “Find Your Balance”, in support of maintaining a balanced outlook of the role gambling may play in our lives. In early May, be on the lookout for BC Responsible & Problem Gambling Program community events in your area; ranging from sponsored swims, pop up community awareness booths and contests at community centers and other locations. Finding Our Balance in life can be challenging. Striking that balance is easier when we have a diverse array of activities in which to engage.

Insurance for children can seem odd to some, distasteful even. Children are not breadwinners with income to be replaced so what’s the point? For different reasons entirely: one is to ensure the child’s future insurability. If genetic conditions run in the family or when the time comes that they do need insurance, they may not qualify. Retirement income planning is another reason. Whole life participating insurance creates a future cash value that can supplement other investments. Lastly, intergenerational wealth transfer is a growing reason. Family members can grow future wealth for their children and grandchildren through whole life policies.

ADD and ADHD can affect attention, self-control, and executive functioning (what helps us get things done). Treatment can vary depending on the individual, but may include mindfulness and meditation. That’s where Qigong comes in! Qigong is a moving meditation, which is much easier for those with a restless body, and the visualizations and sounds help to keep bright, creative minds engaged. It is also a very grounding practice, giving deep relaxation to the overactive brain. Improving the body’s ‘energy flow’ promotes better focus, calmness, and peace of mind, as well as helps to balance all internal organs, including the brain.

Barb Timmer, Certified Spring Forest Qigong Trainer, Co-CreationalSelf-Healing.com

1. A unique whole-person 240-point assessment.

2. Measure the your risks for Diabetes, Heart & Lung ailments.

3. Learn about your vital dimensions and your motivations.

4. Discover the areas of life you are most motivated to change.

5. Learn how to use small steps to create sustainable change.

6. Maximize your innate potentials as a whole person.

7. Create more balance in your personal and professional life.

8. Discover a higher level of personal health and wellbeing.

9. Free 20 Min Consultation – the results may surprise you!

Denise Ropp, Occupational Health & Safety Consultant, Specialist – Personal & Business Health & Wellness Services, DRHealthSolutions.com

We know from a growing body of literature that diets don’t work, meaning weight loss, and in the long run dieting is actually most likely to lead to weight gain. When we look at different factors, weight itself doesn’t seem to be the issue with poor health outcomes either. The lesser known fact is that you are much further ahead if you work with your body rather than against it. To do this we need to start listening to our bodies and taking care of them where they are right now, regardless of our weight. You can’t hate yourself to health.

Jenn Abele, BSc. RD, JennAbele-rd.ca

Pelvic Health Physiotherapy is a specialized area of physiotherapy practice which aims to restore function to the muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue in the pelvis. Pelvic health concerns, including incontinence and pelvic girdle pain, are quite common but unfortunately not often talked about or treated. These concerns can arise in both men and women at anytime including during the pre- or post-partum period, after surgery, with weight training or peri-menopausally. Dysfunction in the pelvic floor can significantly impact individuals both physically and emotionally. Current literature supports pelvic floor physiotherapy as the first line of treatment for incontinence and pelvic pain. 

Lissa Fraser, Registered Physiotherapist, Fresh Tracks Physiotherapy, FreshTracksPhysio.ca

Tis the season of renewal for plants, animals and our hopefully, our energy levels as we emerge from a colder than average winter. Before the fun really begins it’s a good time to consider your risk management and in the world of finance, that can mean a number of things. Insurance is one of the greatest tools to manage the big risks we all face in life, such as an untimely demise, critical illness or disability. Do you have enough of the right type of insurance at the right cost? Consider working with a professional to evaluate your needs.

James Vasilyev – IG Wealth Management, [email protected]

Most sports-related injuries occur when a particular part of the body is overused, which leads to a repetitive stress injury. This can lead to injuries such as runner’s knee or tennis elbow. Many athletes rely on acupuncture to treat their injuries and boost their performance – but also to prevent injuries from occurring in the first place. Acupuncture offers many benefits when it comes to pain management, recovery, and prevention, including: 

1. Releasing tight muscles or activating muscles that aren’t firing properly.

2. Boosting healing and recovery of tendons and ligaments.

3. Relieving stress.

4. Improving the immune system.

5. Aiding with sleep.

6. Keeping the pain away. These are all great reasons to use acupuncture to keep you active.

Aysha Nuttall, RAc, Inner Strength Acupuncture and Health, InnerStrengthAcupuncture.ca

Chronic constipation is one of the most common digestive complaints, and it can lead to all sorts of problems, including build-up of toxins in the body, sluggish liver function, abdominal discomfort, and brain fog and fatigue. Some ways to restore proper bowel function include: 1. Drinking enough water (8 to 12 cups per day). 2. Getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day. 3. Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fibre from fruits, vegetables, and other fibrous foods. 4. Managing daily stress. 5. Taking fibre, probiotic, or specific mineral supplements, as recommended by your doctor.

Kayla MacDonald, RHN, Edible Island Whole Food Market, EdibleIsland.ca

Q: I can’t get comfortable vision for my computer with my progressive lenses. Do I have to get something different?

A: Yes, if you’re using a computer for long periods of time then you’d likely get a lot of benefit from some glasses focused specifically for your computer work. Standard progressive lenses might not have enough usable areas for the focusing distance of a computer. There are a number of different lens designs for this. Ask about it the next time you get your eyes checked.

Dr. Alex Kennedy, MosaicVisionCare.com

Seasonal allergies develop when the body’s immune system overreacts to something in the environment, usually during spring, summer or fall when certain plants pollinate. Did you know that seasonal allergies can be prevented by taking an antihistamine before symptoms start? Antihistamines work better if you start using them daily before you expect to be exposed to the allergen. Many of the newer antihistamines are once a day dosing. If one antihistamine proves to be ineffective, switching to another one may help. All antihistamines can be sedating if taken in higher doses, but the newer antihistamines are generally fine if taken as directed.

Catherine McCann, BScPharm, Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy, MedicineShoppePharmacy.ca