A body in motion stays in motion; a body at rest stays at rest. It’s easy to get lazy during the holiday season! While it’s OK to take a couple of days off to celebrate with family and friends, don’t forget to keep the momentum going during the holiday season by celebrating with activities rather than just relaxation. Bundle up and get outside to skate or toboggan with family and friends, or go for a walk to check out the neighbours’ holiday lights! If it’s too cold out, book a bowling party, go axe throwing, or try laser tag. Your body will thank you!

Many older adults with Alzheimer’s or dementia enjoy and want to be included in holiday festivities. However, the added activities could cause increased agitation and confusion, unpredictable behavior, or mood swings. To create a stress-free, happy holiday season, try to scale things back and modify activities so they’ll feel calm and safe. Focus on a few of the most meaningful traditions. Ask which activities they value most. That could mean trimming the Christmas tree, lighting the menorah, singing songs, or baking special holiday treats. Even if your older adult might not remember these holiday activities later, the warm feelings they’ll have is a different kind of memory their body will carry for a while

McGill Unversity’s Dr. Daniel Levitin has found that as a result of exposure to music, levels of immunoglobin A, an antibody linked to immunity, increases. In another study he found significant evidence of music’s anti-anxiety properties. Montreal Neurological Institute’s Dr. Zatorre has found that a brain structure called the striatum is stimulated by music to release dopamine which increases feelings of pleasure. Music therapists are continually training to integrate and apply research findings into practice in order to better serve people of every age, from babies to Alzheimer’s patients.

Maintaining a healthy prostate is important for managing conditions like prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), as well as potentially reducing the risk of prostate cancer. Some symptoms that may occur with a prostate condition include urgency, frequency and pain during urination, weak urine flow, fatigue, back pain, and blood in the urine/semen. Naturopathic doctors can provide support to those experiencing prostate conditions (including helping to reduce some treatment side effects) through nutritional support (dietary journal and guidance for proper diet), acupuncture, Bemer Therapy (increases microcirculation), intravenous nutrient therapy, and sweat detoxification through sauna and hyperthermia.