Community News
Boost Your Mental Health This Winter

Winter months can be difficult for those experiencing a mental health challenge or illness, especially during and following the holiday season. There are, however, a myriad of evidence-based ways to boost your physical and mental well-being. One important tool is vitamin D. Research clearly shows the benefits of this powerful vitamin for improving body and thereby brain health. Our bodies synthesize this nutrient through exposure to the sun. However, during reduced daylight months we are unable to get what we need from our solar source. Because low levels of vitamin D are associated with depression, it may be beneficial to add vitamin D through your diet, light therapy, or a supplement. If taking a supplement, choose the “D3”version and consume with a fatty meal. Be sure to speak with your doctor before starting a nutritional supplement program. If low mood persists, contact your healthcare provider or local CMHA for additional information and resources.

Sean Miller, Canadian Mental Health Association, mbwpg.cmha.ca

6 Toxic Chemicals in Your Laundry Detergent

The laundry detergent you’re using may contain a cocktail of potent chemicals. Not only can these chemicals wreak havoc on your health, but they also are contaminating our waterways and harming the environment. Because laundry-care product manufacturers are not required to list all laundry detergent ingredients on packaging, it can be difficult for consumers to make informed choices. There are 7 toxic chemicals likely found in your store-bought detergents, according to the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep. Cosmetic Safety Reviews, research studies show that the chemicals in detergents link to allergies, irritation of the skin and eyes, organ toxicity, developmental/reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, ecotoxicology, and biochemical or cellular changes. Do your research as you may find out that it’s your laundry detergent that is causing your skin irritations or allergies.

Kevin Shale, Low Environmental Impact Technologies, leit.ca

Have You Tried Hypnotherapy?

We have two parts to our mind, the conscious mind, and the subconscious mind. The conscious part of our mind makes up 5-10% of our potential mind power. Our subconscious makes up 90 to 95% of our potential mind power, where our core values and belief systems stem from, where creativity and emotions are generated, and where long term memories are stored. Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic tool that uses hypnosis and allows the conscious mind and the subconscious mind to work together to use all the potential power of your mind to achieve goals, change unwanted behaviors and beliefs, and resolve inner conflicts. Hypnosis allows direct access to the subconscious and can alter unwanted or outdated beliefs which results in positive changes physically, mentally and emotionally. It is imperative to change or alter what is in our subconscious mind, or understand it in order to facilitate positive, lasting change.

Scott Metcalf, C.H.t, RCCH, abeautifulmindhypnotherapy.com

What is Homeoprophylaxis?

Every parent wants to ensure the best health for his or her child. Vaccines are a wonderful way to prevent certain infectious diseases but may come with a heavy price tag in the form of chronic disease, including auto-immune and neurological disorders. Aluminum adjuvants, used in most vaccines, are potent neurotoxins and immune stimulants. Children are sicker than ever before with chronic allergies, asthma and a plethora of behavioural and developmental disorders. Homeoprophylaxis, the use of homeopathic remedies for the prevention of infectious diseases, has a 200-year history of safety and efficacy. Countries like India, Brazil and Cuba have used homeoprophylaxis on a large scale to prevent serious disease. India recently treated 20 million people to prevent Japanese Encephalitis. Death rates went from more than 1500 per year to zero. Homeoprophylaxis also has great potential to protect children’s health and every parent would be well-advised to investigate it.

Dr. Anke Zimmermann, ND, FCAH, www.drzimmermann.org

Ringing In The Ears: How to get Tinnitus Relief

Do you hear noise in your ears that other people can’t hear? Annoying sounds, like ringing, buzzing, whistling, whooshing or hissing? If so, you are not alone. Over 3 million Canadians suffer from tinnitus – a condition characterized by sounds that originate from within, rather than from without, your ears.

Tinnitus takes on many forms:

The most common “garden-variety” type produces soft-to-loud ringing, humming or rushing-water sounds
Tonal Tinnitus causes a constant chiming sound like a musical note played over and over again
Pulsatile Tinnitus produces sound that pulsates in time with one’s heartbeat
Mixed Tinnitus causes multiple noises to be heard simultaneously
Objective Tinnitus is extremely rare, and produces noise heard not only by the affected individual but by others as well!

Although frustrating, Tinnitus is rarely serious and often resolves on its own. But, if you are experiencing constant, unexplained noise, it’s important to see a hearing care practitioner for a comprehensive hearing test screening, including an audiogram, medical history, physical ear examination, and tests designed to pinpoint the origin of your tinnitus.

Tinnitus has no cure, but can be relieved through a few simple steps. Try to avoid loud noise. Control your blood pressure, and decrease salt and nerve stimulants, including coffee, cola, tobacco, and aspirin. Monitor your stress level, and make sure to get ample rest and exercise.

Try experimenting with masking noise. Use a competing sound, such as a radio, white noise maker, or fan, to “cancel out” the noise you hear in your ears. Ask your hearing aid practitioner about small hearing aid devices that generate sounds to “offset” the sound your tinnitus makes. Some tinnitus patients swear by biofeedback! And, many “habituate” to their condition, meaning they get used to it and notice it less over time.

Try keeping track of what triggers your tinnitus, and give remedies a chance to work. It can take longer than you expect to experience tinnitus relief.

Finally, seek out a tinnitus support group for coping methods, compassion and the latest information on tinnitus relief. Educate your family members and friends if necessary, and ask for their support. And, stay abreast of ongoing research – successful treatments for tinnitus are right around the corner.

Jeff Germain, www.islandbeltone.com

Feeling Good in Your Relationship

Being in love is the best. But people don’t always get along easily. It can be hard to be clear and stand up for what we want in a calm way when we feel unhappy. Sometimes we give up too much to keep the peace. That can work in the short term, but in the long term you might feel resentful. Other people get angry really quickly – again, it can work in the short term, but may not work forever. Sometimes we need help figuring out how to ask for change. It helps to know about love languages — this is the way you like to have love shown to you. Everyone is different – some people prefer touch, or quality time, or acts of service. What are your hopes for your relationship? Counselling provides a safe and non-judgemental place to consider what else you can do to keep your relationship healthy and happy. Mary Munro, www.marymunro.ca

In The Zone

BELIEVING is the most important part of the mental game of any sport or leisure activity. If you want to change your experience, change your beliefs – at the subconscious level. Learn to hit the ball, SEE THE BALL, be AWARE of the game set around you and play with confidence. BELIEVE in your ability and watch your game improve daily! Hypnotherapies for sports and leisure activity performance treats anxieties and blocks at the subconscious level, improving your underlying beliefs in your abilities. Remember how good you felt when you first hit a ball cleanly, made a wonderful putt, sank a shot, made a fabulous pass to a teammate, returned an impossible serve, got your first strikeout or made it to the podium? Hypnosis works with your subconscious beliefs to eliminate anxieties, release old blocks, and bring those wonderful feelings of being in the moment.

Pete Flagg, www.relax2playwell.ca

Approaching a Stress Free Christmas

With the holidays just around the corner, plans are underway for getting together with friends and family for parties, dinners, and gift giving. With lists being compiled for groceries, gifts, libations and maybe household items needed for anticipated overnight guests. In 2015, the average adult planned to spend $766 on holiday gifts. About 27 percent spent over $800, while 23 percent spent $200 or less. Which category did you fall in last year? And what about this year? If you have not been in the habit of using lists for shopping, they can be a help in staying within your spending limits. Having a set limit is a great way not to overspend. As well, using cash is a great way to have Christmas paid for before the event. The holidays are for memory making with family and friends or just plain rest and relaxation, and that is more easily accomplished without any financial stress.

dminervini@abakhan.com, www.abakhan.com

Canadian Mental Health Association launches manifesto for better mental health in BC

It’s time to change the way we think about mental health and addictions care in BC.

The Canadian Mental Health Association in BC today unveiled a five-point manifesto that lays out a set of concrete and practical actions to improve the lives of people living with mental health and addictions problems.

The manifesto is a call to action for all British Columbians to get behind the idea that mental health and physical health should be valued equally. It outlines a series of recommendations on how we can create better mental health and addictions care in BC.

We would never knowingly wait until Stage 4 to intervene for cancer; we educate, screen, and take action in the early stages. CMHA BC firmly believes that we need to do the same for mental illnesses and addictions. b4stage4 is about preventing mental illness and addiction, and for those who are experiencing symptoms, intervening in the early years before people reach a crisis point.

When it comes to better mental health and addictions care, there is plenty of evidence for what works. The manifesto calls for BC to adopt community-based programs that have proven successful in treating the early symptoms of low mood, anxiety, and stress. They are cost-effective supports to our overburdened system in BC. But more needs to be done to ensure people get the help they need at any stage or age.

“There is a moral and economic imperative to act b4stage4. Our goal here is to engage individuals and organizations across BC in our manifesto for change,” says Bev Gutray, CEO of CMHA BC. “This is a real opportunity for us all to move toward prevention and early intervention in mental health and addictions, and away from the overuse of emergency services and the justice system.”

“We know that the demand for our health care system is outpacing supply. In fact, demand for mental health and addiction services is expected to more than triple by 2036. ” continues Gutray.   “Too many British Columbians diagnosed with mental illness, such as depression, are not able to access the help they need.“

CMHA is calling on the public to take part in this conversation and support the b4stage4 campaign.

British Columbians are encouraged to register their support at www.b4stage4.ca. There, they can sign the manifesto.

Natural Product Review: pureWash® Pro

pureWash® Pro is a breakthrough in home laundry purification. As it turns out, your laundry has been keeping a dirty little secret, (It’s really not that clean at all!). Detergent may leave clothes smelling clean, but it does not eliminate the mold and bacteria that builds up from sports activities, pets, and everyday living. pureWash® Pro cleans clothes with the disinfecting power of oxygen, not detergent. This same technology is used in Hospitals and Hotels. It’s clinically proven to eliminate 99.9% of bacteria and mold, plus it’s both safe for the environment and for family members of all ages! If you have sensitive skin, you will not get skin irritations as you do from detergent. Detergent build-up promotes mold growth and does not kill bacteria. Independent, scientific studies have proven pureWash® Pro kills 99.9% of both with cold water. The power of naturally oxygenated water eliminates dirt, bacteria, and mold better than detergent!

Kevin Shale, Low Environmental Impact Technologies, Leit.ca

3 Ways to Naturally Boost Your Immune System

It’s officially cold and flu season. Here are five simple things you can do to improve your body’s natural immunity: 1. Drink a TON of Water: Ensuring you are hydrated is an important part of keeping your immune system strong. Try to drink at least 1.5 to 2 litres of water each day to keep your body in tiptop shape and ready to fight cold and flu bugs. 2. Get a Good Night’s Sleep: The body regenerates and repairs itself while you sleep. Getting a proper night’s rest – between six and eight hours – is important for keeping your body’s natural defenses at optimum efficiency. 3. Take a Hot/Cold Shower: The next time you take a shower try alternating hot and cold water. Research shows the body’s immune system is stimulated when it tries to warm itself up in between the extreme temperature changes. White blood cell production is increased and endorphins are released that help you relax and relieve pain.

Brett Scott, www.disabilitytaxcredit.webs.com