Physical activity should be considered as a first-line treatment for depression and anxiety, according to a scientific review that analysed more than 95 scientific reviews involving 128,000 participants. The study found that physical activity was more effective than counselling or medication in some cases, and provided positive impacts across all studies. Shorter exercise interventions of 12 weeks or less were found to be the most effective in reducing mental health symptoms. The research highlights the need for exercise to be prioritised as a mainstay approach for managing depression and anxiety, particularly as it can make a positive change to mental health quickly. Study found in The British Journal of Sports Medicine – https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2023/03/02/bjsports-2022-106195
Community News
Thank you, Donors!
Thanks to our generous donors, in the 2022 year The Brandon Regional Health Centre was able to purchase $1,000,754 in equipment. These purchases were made for various department/programs in the hospital. Some examples include ICU beds, Birthing Beds, NIBP’s, TV’s and Telemetry Boxes. A full list of equipment is listed on the BRHC Foundation website. Thank you – your donations truly make a difference!
Physical Activity for Depression & Anxiety
Physical activity should be considered as a first-line treatment for depression and anxiety, according to a scientific review that analysed more than 95 scientific reviews involving 128,000 participants. The study found that physical activity was more effective than counselling or medication in some cases, and provided positive impacts across all studies. Shorter exercise interventions of 12 weeks or less were found to be the most effective in reducing mental health symptoms. The research highlights the need for exercise to be prioritised as a mainstay approach for managing depression and anxiety, particularly as it can make a positive change to mental health quickly. Study found in The British Journal of Sports Medicine – https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2023/03/02/bjsports-2022-106195
Over 65? Assess Your Risk
Bone mineral density (BMD) testing is crucial in assessing the risk of developing osteoporosis or fractures. Women and men over 65 and those with risk factors for fracture should get a BMD test. Combining BMD tests with clinical risk factors can determine fracture risk and inform treatment decisions. Protect your ability to live your best life with Echolight™, the new ultrasound bone density measurement scanner that takes 15 minutes to do. First time in Manitoba. You have the option of either having the scan in our office or in the comfort of your home since we have a portable one. Echolight™ is radiation-free, safe, accurate as well as Health Canada and FDA approved.
Book Club: The Five Second Rule
In The 5 Second Rule: Transform Your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage, Mel Robbins talks about an important tool that can help readers learn to push themselves, instead of relying on teachers, friends, parents, coaches, and mentors for motivation. Find out what makes a “push moment” and how it will enrich your life and move you forward on the path to success. This powerful tool takes just five seconds and once it becomes a habit, is a simple but effective solution when it comes to our tendency to hold ourselves back and keep ourselves from happiness.
Vegan Blueberry Banana Ice Cream
2 ripe frozen bananas
2 cups frozen blueberries
¼ cup coconut milk, plus extra as needed
Maple syrup
Lemon juice
Add frozen bananas, frozen berries, and coconut milk into a food processor and pulse until starting to break up. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and then blend on high until a smooth, creamy ice cream forms. You can add more coconut milk to help it process better. Add a teaspoon of maple syrup and a squeeze of lemon for flavor brightener. Scoop into bowls and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Hailey’s Horoscope
Full moon in May brings POLARITY, and could be an emotional time. You might be questioning yourself- do I transform or do I stay where I am and form a concrete path? You might also notice that you are struggling between sharing yourself, your posessions, your ideas. This is all due to the polarity of where the moon is positioned this month. If you notice this struggle between emotional opposites, try to go inward and make a pact with your emotions…let it all out, express yourself, notice the polarity battles inside of you and release it all with this full moon.
May is Celiac Awareness Month
During this month, help us spread awareness for Celiac disease. Celiac disease is a chronic digestive and immune disorder that damages the small intestine. The disease is triggered by eating foods containing gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Over time, this reaction damages your small intestine’s lining and prevents it from absorbing nutrients. The intestinal damage often causes diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, bloating and anemia, and can lead to serious complications. Your doctor will explain the gluten-free diet and may refer to you a registered dietitian who specializes in treating people who have celiac disease.
Exercise and Depression
“A vigorous five-mile walk will do better for unhappy, but other-wise healthy adults than all the medicine and psychology in the world.” – Dr. Paul Dudley White
Over-working, over-stressing, expectations of perfection, a critical and complaining cynical spirit, focusing on the negatives in life, feeding a sense of hopelessness through what you read and listen to; all this and more spins many of us out of control and into a depression.
Exercise and depression has been the focus of many scientific studies and research has repeatedly shown that exercise really does help.
The book, The Healing Power of Exercise: Your Guide to Prevention and Treating Diabetes, Depression, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Arthritis, and More states, “A universal finding in exercise studies is that people experience a greater sense of wellbeing.” In the book, it is explained, “Our cardiovascular system, endocrine glands, muscles, and bones still function best when the body is challenged by regular
bouts of exertion.”
Exercise enhances your mood in many ways. Although exercisers exercise for a wide variety of reasons, the most powerful reasons are psychological, not physical. Exercisers have found exercise makes them:
feel good. more optimistic. more mentally alert. feel an enhanced sense of well-being. feel more confident. better able to cope with stress and more energetic.
Moreover, some people report they overeat because they are depressed. For many, moderate depression tends to cause overeating while severe depression tends to cause undereating. One large study of overweight individuals found depression was the number one reason for overeating, ahead
of stress.
Walk for Alzheimer’s
Living an active lifestyle is not only a great way to keep your body healthy but also your brain! Did you know that exercising regularly can help you reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia? One of the easiest ways to exercise is by going for a walk! Why not register now for the 2023 IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s and also help people living with dementia in Manitoba? Get your team together and join us May 27th at 10 am in Winnipeg at Assiniboine Park! To learn more and to register now, visit Alzheimer.mb.ca/wfa2023
Look for Local: Wolseley Kombucha
Wolseley Kombucha uses the highest-quality organic tea blends to handcraft their fizzy, functional beverages and collaborates with other small Manitoba businesses to source local fruit and botanicals. Made with living cultures, Wolseley Kombucha’s award-winning kombucha is fully fermented, low in sugar, and gluten-free, and offers a great alternative to soda and alcohol. The company also has the only kombucha taproom in Manitoba, at their Winnipeg brewery. Wolseley Kombucha’s founder, Michelle, and the company’s small team of fermentation experts are passionate about their products. Look for Manitoba-made Wolseley Kombucha the next time you do your grocery shopping at Sobeys.
