Doing lots of squats and heavy lifts alone won’t necessarily make you a good climber or proficient at carrying heavy loads. Our everyday natural movements are much more complex and require more skill than the exercises practised with a classic strength and conditioning approach. Natural movement training comprises locomotive skills such as walking, running, balancing, jumping, crawling, climbing, or swimming and manipulative skills such as lifting, carrying, throwing, and catching. It is about seamlessly incorporating fitness as a way of life to make you stronger in everyday life and help you deal with whatever life throws at you.

Linda Dillow’s Calm My Anxious Heart is filled with encouragement and practical tips for overcoming anxiety. It includes a ten-week Bible study to help you discover what the Bible says about anxiety and contentment and ways to apply it to your daily life. This classic book has been field-tested, revised, and updated for a new generation of readers. A companion journal is also available to record your thoughts as you listen to God’s teaching, embrace the present, and live with joy. With Calm My Anxious Heart, you can let go of anxiety and experience contentment that comes from trusting God.

The beginning of a new year is a great time to make some real changes for your health. Some simple dietary suggestions include: 1) Try a new vegetable once a week and add an extra serving of veggies each day. 2) Slowly decrease pop or juice intake by ¼, then by ½, while increasing water intake. 3) Try some fruit for dessert. 4) If you have a lot of digestive issues, consider an elimination-type diet or food sensitivity testing to help decrease inflammation. 4) Try deep breathing before eating and chewing your food thoroughly to promote better digestion.

Humans cannot withstand being in a long-term state of emergency. When we encounter a stressful “event”, we have an expected physiological response (heart rate increases, pupils dilate, blood shuttles to our extremities and away from our organs), and after a few hours, we should return to a more balanced state. Research shows blood flow increases in our “hindbrain” away from our “forebrain,” meaning we become more emotional vs. rational. Talk to your chiropractor about how stress manifests in your nervous system and what they can do to help. In the meantime, work on lowering stress levels any way you can!

Winter can be a tough time for everyone, but especially seniors, with hazards like ice and snow putting them at risk of falls and injuries. Some ways that seniors can stay safe in the winter include: 1) Staying warm – wear comfortable, waterproof, warm clothing and accessories when outdoors to prevent hypothermia and frostbite. 2) Asking for help – if you have health issues, get help from loved ones for shoveling, snowblowing, etc. 3) Walking safely – wear boots that have good non-slip soles and use a walking aid, if needed. Walk slowly on icy, uneven surfaces and walk with a buddy!