Join Our Place Society on February 23rd for a evening time walk in solidarity with Victoria’s Homeless community. Sign up for an engaging evening of social action to help the people in your society who need it the most. The evening will include music, food, entertainment and prizes as well as a chance to meet and connect with the homeless community you’ve come to support. This is a family friendly event, appropriate for all ages! For event details or to volunteer, walk by yourself, join a team or start a team at CNOY.org/location/victoriapandora

1. Examine your skin monthly, with your partner’s help, they can see the parts you can’t!
2. Sun-avoidance-choose wisely what time of day you go out in the sun.
3. Sun-protection-Not all sun wear is created equal and may not provide adequate protection against sun damage, check labels that say UV proof. Full brim hats also offer protection, but make sure the brim is at least four inches.
4. Sunscreen-When purchasing a sunscreen look for the CDA logo. It will have UVB and UVA protection. Use as least an SPF 50 during the summer months or when on holiday in warmer climes. A daily year round sunscreen could be SPF 30. Get your partner to apply sunscreen, it’s great for the relationship!
5. For possible sunscreen allergies or irritations speak with your pharmacist or Dermatologist.
6. Worried about chemicals in sunscreen? Go for ones that reflect UV and contain purely Zinc or Titanium oxides.
7. Reapply! Throughout the day, keeping an eye out for red bits that signal its time to cover up and put on aloe vera!
8. Moisturize your skin
9. Stop smoking-Ask yourself, do you want to have the skin of a plum or a prune? Same goes for UV tanning and over exposure to UV rays from the sun.
10. See a board certified Dermatologist at least once this year for a medical assessment of moles and skin cancer risk. It’s covered by MSP and can give you and your doctor a baseline for future skin checks. To learn about options for improving your skin appearance ask your board certified Dermatologist about a Cosmetic Consultation.
11. If you have acne, or Rosacea, get it sorted out before it requires laser therapy for acne scarring or Rosacea redness. A consultation with a Board Certified Dermatologist about acne or Rosacea is covered by MSP.

Hyperbaric oxygen is a powerful tool to help manage and reverse the complications of diabetes by increasing the amount of oxygen reaching the body tissues. The effects of elevated blood sugars are well documented: poor insulin control, weight gain, poor wound healing, eye damage, and organ dysfunction. Hyperbaric oxygen is a safe and proven method to help control and lower blood sugar, increase insulin sensitivity, and improve wound healing outcomes, even preventing the need for amputation in many cases if used early enough. Most importantly, the need for a healthy diet and consistent exercise is paramount in any healing program.

“No, not this year,” you say. “No resolutions for me. They don’t work anyway.” Have you ever spent any time discovering WHY they “don’t work”?
Change is a very big deal. In order to change something about ourselves and then maintain the change, we need intention, determination, a detailed plan, support, and patience. We need to know ourselves and prepare for our weak moments. Finally, we need to include our rescue plan if we fall off our change horse.
Counsellors are equipped for supporting change with you. Consider including a couple of sessions with a counsellor when you are planning the details of your change.

While spider veins typically don’t come with any pain or discomfort, many people are self-conscious about the appearance of them. Winter is a good time to treat them, so your legs look their best by summer time! Treatment options include sclerotherapy, with a special solution injected through a fine needle, or laser therapy. Sclerotherapy helps to reduce and eliminate the appearance of visual spider veins and is usually the best option to start with. Laser therapy tends to be more expensive, more painful, and less effective. Several visits may be required at about one-month intervals to clear those pesky veins.

A beachfront haven on the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island, Pacific Sands Beach Resort takes tranquility to the next level. Imagine a morning beach walk followed by a relaxing spa treatment. Then spend your evening cozy and fireside in the comfort of your oceanside suite. Includes: Two Nights in a One Bedroom Oceanside Suite. Your choice of a 60-minute Signature Massage or Facial at for Sacred Stone Spa 2ppl. Value $765.00. Simply subscribe for free to the online Wellnessnews Choices for Healthy Living® edition to enter to win. Wellnessnews.ca

Do you have a child who is anxious or depressed? Are you struggling with a child who is acting out or defiant? Imagine acquiring the tools needed to support you with your child. And imagine your child having a creative outlet for his/her inner world, by engaging with paint, puppets or the drum. The expressive therapies encourage pent up emotions to be released in a safe and supportive setting, allowing your child to shift gradually to a happier place. Give your family an opportunity to create a sense of peace and healthy relationships in your world at home today.

Suzie is a kindergartner who’s been acting out at home and at school. Her baby brother is 14 months old. These challenging behaviours began when the baby was a few months old and have escalated to the point that the school recommended therapeutic intervention. At music therapy sessions Suzie plays musical games with the therapist that are fun yet require reciprocity. While Suzie is engaged in playful activity she is acting and reacting, expressing emotions (via the puppets, instruments or dress up characters) and learning to cope with the reactions of others to her. Music therapy offers creative ways for people of all ages to work with a myriad of life challenges.