1) Practice Meditation or Mindfulness: Prioritize mental well-being by incorporating mindfulness, meditation, or a moment for self-appreciation into your daily routine. 2) Physical Activity: Join a gym, go for a walk, practice yoga, play sports, or have your own dance party at home. Exercise is a powerful form of self-care. 3) Spend Time with the People you Enjoy: Positive relationships contribute to overall well-being. Surround yourself with those who uplift you. 4) Eat Nourishing Foods: Nourish your body with nutritious foods. 5) Get Adequate Sleep: Establish healthy sleep habits, as quality sleep is essential for overall well-being. 6) Cultivate Creativity: Engage in creative pursuits like drawing, adult coloring books, painting, poetry, cooking, or singing. Creative expression is therapeutic and fulfilling. 7) Explore your Cultural Identity: A strong cultural connection not only boosts mental health resilience but also improves social well-being and coping skills.

1) Cook Together: Baking cookies or preparing a meal together is a fun and rewarding way to bond. 2) Share Activities Together: Participate in activities like bowling, swimming, skating, or take a nature walk. 3) Read Together: Spend quality time immersed in a good book together. 4) Board Game Night: Board games provide entertainment, create a playful atmosphere and promote teamwork and healthy competition. 5) Artistic Endeavors: Quality time spent engaging in creative projects like art, crafts, or singing and dancing fosters joy and appreciation for each other’s unique talents and perspectives. 6) Library Visits or Museum Trips: Choose books as a family at the library or visit the Art Gallery or Western Development Museum. Fun Idea: Create your own museum or art exhibit at home using art you created together, stuff around the house, or taking photos and developing them.

1) Proactive Active Listening: Take the time to genuinely listen to your loved ones. Engage in meaningful conversations, show interest, and validate their feelings. 2) Complete a Task or Chore for Them: An act of service can speak volumes; it can show that we recognize our loved ones needs and wants or just relieve a burden. 3) Buy or Make Them a Thoughtful Gift: Meaningful gift-giving is a timeless expression of love. 4) Plan a Date or Attend an Activity: Invest time in your loved one, plan a date or attend an activity that they enjoy. 5) Physical Affection: A simple hug or holding hands can convey love and connection. 6) Express Your Feelings: Tell your loved ones why you appreciate them.

Nurturing Relationships, Family Bonds, and Self-Care

February, a month dedicated to celebrating love, hosts two significant holidays revolving around the theme of affection. Valentine’s Day, traditionally focused on romantic love, provides a chance to express appreciation for significant others. In the midst of our hectic lives, this day acts as a gentle reminder to pause and invest time in demonstrating love to those who hold importance in our lives.

In recent years, there has been a shift in the perception of Valentine’s Day. While it was traditionally centered around having a romantic partner, contemporary celebrations are moving away from the emphasis on the need for companionship. There is a growing trend to redefine this day as an occasion for self-care and self-love. The challenge, however, lies in reshaping the concept of self-care beyond clichéd practices like a bubble bath or a glass of wine.

Following Valentine’s Day, another celebration unfolds—Family Day. This day provides an opportunity for many to be at home, spending quality time with their families. In the midst of daily chaos, Family Day serves as a gentle reminder to slow down, disconnect from work and school demands, and relish shared moments with loved ones. It is a time to appreciate the bonds that form the foundation of our lives and find joy in the simplicity of being together.

February extends beyond celebrating romantic love; it offers an opportunity to embrace diverse expressions of affection, build connections, and find fulfillment beyond romantic relationships. It is a canvas where we can appreciate and cherish various forms of love in our lives, including the love for family, friends, and ourselves. Let’s make February a time to appreciate and cultivate all kinds of meaningful connections.

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, often goes unrecognized and untreated because there are no symptoms. Your pharmacist can help you reduce your risk for heart attack and stroke, by: 1. Reviewing your medications, helping you take them as prescribed and managing potential side effects. 2. Teaching you how to use a blood pressure monitoring device properly and testing your blood pressure regularly. 3. Advising you how to maintain a healthy weight, and a diet that’s low in sodium. and 4. Guiding you through a step-by-step quit smoking plan. Learn more about how to keep your blood pressure under control by speaking with your pharmacist.

Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) is an annual event that supports people experiencing homelessness within Regina. This fundraiser helps YWCA Regina provide shelter, care, and holistic support to women and families experiencing homelessness to heal and find hope. CNOY 2024 takes place on February 24th, 2024 – drawing individuals together to support the cause through raising money as well as taking part in a 2 km or 5 km walk. Across Canada, over 190 communities are involved with CNOY, supported by people who care about their communities and the most vulnerable people who live in them. Learn more + get involved at cnoy.org/regina

Feeling lonely and love animals? Volunteer at an animal shelter! Providing enrichment for pets living at a shelter reduces stress-induced behaviours, which are often barriers to adoption. Dog walking, cat cuddling, filling Kongs with peanut butter and brushing is an amazing way to add value to a pet’s life by providing an environment more stimulating and challenging. The best part of volunteering is knowing you have supported an animal in need plus it just feels good to know you contributed to the wellbeing of a pet. Interested in volunteering? Give us a shout!

Developing a love for exercise is a gradual process; my client took a year to eagerly anticipate workouts. Positive life changes, particularly in health, demand more time than expected. To sustain a heart-healthy lifestyle, altering your attitude towards exercise is crucial. Initially, it might feel like a slow journey, but eventually, you’ll find fulfillment in workouts. Shifting your perspective transforms exercise from a chore to a source of joy. Embrace the gradual revelation that a life without exercise feels incomplete, and you’ll understand the enthusiasm of those dedicated to fitness.

Moose Jaw Family Services Inc.,
200 Main Street S. Moose Jaw SK, S6H 5S7
Phone: 306-694-8133
Website: www.mjfamilyservices.ca
Email: contact@mjfamilyservices.ca
Donate: donations can be made online to donations@mjfamilyservices.ca
This Wellnessnews Choices for Healthy Living® edition is sponsored by WellBRAND Marketing in support of the Moose Jaw Family Services Inc.