Community News
Flowers to Help with the Holidays

Flowers are scientifically proven to have a positive impact on your mental health, relieving the stress and anxiety of the holidays. Some festive flowers include: Poinsettias – They are the classic Christmas flower. The bright red colors on the dark green leaves make it the perfect holiday mascot! They attract happiness and promote positive feelings. Orchids –Unlike the poinsettia, orchids don’t have a long association with Christmas. Instead, they are a unique and special flower that signals warmth and joy. Christmas Cactus – This plant hits the market just in time for the holidays. They increase humidity in the air and creates a cheerful aura in your home.

Give the Gift of Energy Healing

With so many juggling family gatherings, gift-buying, and travel, a Reiki healing session can be a perfect, thoughtful gift for loved ones needing rejuvenation. Rooted in Japanese tradition, Reiki involves the transfer of universal life force energy through the practitioner’s hands to the recipient. By offering Reiki, one shares not just a momentary experience but a pathway to inner harmony. The energy transferred can alleviate stress, encourage clarity, and catalyze the body’s self-healing mechanisms. Energy healing can be a meaningful experience, helping people recharge and enter the New Year revitalized.

Handling The Holidays

Whatever holiday you celebrate this season, even if you’re surrounded by family and friends, it can be stressful. Making sure that your body and mind can handle stress is the best gift that you can give yourself. One of the best ways to improve your overall health and stress-handling ability is through Bioenergetics. Bioenergetics uses computerized testing and treatment to effectively determine and treat any imbalance or weakness in the body that is preventing you from achieving both optimal stress management and improved health. This holiday season, make sure that stress isn’t an unwanted gift that you can’t give back.

Rejuvenate with Sound Healing

Escaping the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is a gift to yourself. A sound bath meditation offers the perfect retreat, helping you reconnect and recharge. As soothing sounds wash over you, stress fades, and a deep sense of relaxation takes over. This calming practice quiets the mind and nurtures the spirit, providing a powerful way to restore inner peace. With renewed energy, you’ll approach the season with greater ease, joy, and balance. Ideal for anyone seeking a gentle yet effective way to rejuvenate, a sound bath offers a peaceful escape from the holiday stress.

Why Hire an End-of-Life Doula?

An end-of-life doula offers compassionate, holistic support to individuals and families during the deeply personal journey of dying. Unlike medical providers, doulas are dedicated to creating a comforting, personalized experience that honors each person’s unique needs and wishes. They assist with life reviews, helping individuals reflect on and celebrate their lives, and can organize living funerals—special gatherings where loved ones can come together to share memories and gratitude while the person is still present. Doulas also facilitate conversations around final wishes and provide a non-judgmental, supportive presence. By easing fears around death and offering a space for closure, end-of-life doulas bring dignity, meaning, and a sense of fulfillment to life’s final chapter.

Healthy Holiday Swaps

Opt for a healthier holiday season with simple Christmas swaps that maintain festive joy while promoting well-being. Swap sugary treats for homemade, nutrient-rich alternatives, like dried fruit or dark chocolate. Choose whole-grain options for baked goods, boosting fiber content. Substitute creamy sauces with flavorful herbs and spices to reduce excess calories. Opt for leaner protein sources, like turkey or grilled vegetables. Make mindful beverage choices, selecting water or herbal teas over sugary drinks. Incorporate physical activities into holiday traditions, like a family walk or dance session. These small swaps ensure a healthier, more balanced Christmas celebration, fostering a sense of joy without compromising on health.

Preparing for your Quit Date

A new year is upon us, which makes it a great time to quit smoking. A little preparation can go a long way in ensuring your success. When planning your quit date, it’s helpful to remind yourself of the reasons you want to do this in the first place. There are major reasons to quit, such as reducing your risk for disease and cancer. What are your other reasons? Write down your top 10. Before your quit day, you may want to think of rewards you can give yourself, as well as activities which you can turn to if cravings get bad. Studies tell us that psychological preparation plays a large role in the likelihood of success with smoking cessation.

Travelling? Consider a Pet Sitter

Arranging for pet care while you’re away can feel like an overwhelming decision. It’s important to look for caregivers who will not only provide for basic needs like food and water, but also companionship, reassurance, and playtime while you’re away. If you can find someone to come to your home, your pet gets to stay in his familiar surroundings, which is less stressful than taking him to a new location. You and your pet should feel comfortable about the care arrangements, so you can enjoy your winter vacation without worry! Happy Holidays!

5 Winter Eye Care Tips

Here are 5 essential eye care tips to protect your eyes during the cold months: Hydration: Combat indoor heating and dry outdoor air by staying well-hydrated. Drink plenty of water and use a humidifier to maintain moisture. Eye Drops: Use lubricating eye drops to relieve dryness and irritation, especially in windy or snowy conditions. Sunglasses: Wear UV-protective sunglasses to shield your eyes from harsh winter UV rays and snow glare. Goggles are essential for winter sports. Healthy Diet: Consume omega-3-rich foods like fish and antioxidants from fruits and veggies. Supplements may help if your diet lacks essential nutrients. Yearly Eye Exams: A yearly eye exam can help an optometrist prevent and detect eye health issues.

Healthy Mouth, Healthy Life

We all want to be healthy, however many people disregard their oral cavity and teeth (whether real or false). The body is a holistic and interconnected system, one that can only function optimally if everything runs smoothly. Old or ill-fitting dentures can cause an array of health issues. From headaches, digestive problems, temporomandibular joint pain (TMJ), and hearing loss. Also social isolation may occur if you are unhappy with your smile because of missing teeth or old dentures. It’s imperative to see the right specialist for any health issues. When it comes to dentures see a denturist first.

Local Spotlight: StretchLab

Don’t just stretch—get stretched. At StretchLab, highly trained Flexologists® offer a deeper, more effective stretch than you could achieve on your own. With expert-led, individualized services, StretchLab caters to a wide variety of needs. Whether you’re aiming to improve sports performance, reduce joint pain, or simply enjoy a refreshing stretch, Flexologists customize each session to target specific muscle groups and address your unique needs. No matter what your body craves, a dedicated stretching routine can bring real benefits. Hit your body’s reset button, decrease pain, and move and feel better—at a StretchLab studio near you.