Community News
Exercise Your Brain

Just as physical exercise can make and keep your body stronger, mental exercise can make your brain work better and lower your risk of mental decline as you age. Play games you are not already familiar with that involve strategy, like chess or bridge, and word games like Scrabble. Try crossword and other word puzzles, or number puzzles such as Sudoku. Read newspapers and books that challenge you. Get in the habit of learning new things like recipes, driving routes, or a musical instrument. Take a course in an unfamiliar subject. The more interested and engaged your brain, the more likely you’ll be to continue learning and the greater the benefits you’ll experience.

Single For The Holidays?

Finding love is possible any time of the year, but the holidays are a wonderful time to look for romance. There’s no shortage of festive music, delicious food, whimsical decorations, and most importantly, holiday cheer. Everyone seems to be slightly more upbeat in the lead-up to Christmas, which can make dating during the holidays surprisingly ideal. All the warm and fuzzy feelings floating around make the holidays a great time to meet a potential romantic partner. If you’ve tried to find love season and season again to no avail, maybe it’s time to trust in your local matchmaker. Everyone deserves love, and love sure makes special times so much better.

Depressed? Fight Back with a Float

It’s not uncommon to feel the effects of depression during the winter and holiday season. Floatation Therapy can help in the treatment of depression in a number of ways. Physically, it helps to clear cortisol and stress from the body, allowing the body to deeply relax. Also, it is well known that Floatation Therapy releases endorphins, (feel good chemicals) which have a positive effect on mood. The high levels of magnesium, which are an essential and important mineral, also plays an important role in helping depression, as it is commonly depleted in those who suffer depression and effects brain chemistry, particularly serotonin. Floatation Therapy can be a wonderful way to introduce the concept of mindfulness and meditation.

Why Good Hearing is Important

Many people don’t realize the effect good hearing has on their total body health. When we have hearing loss, early intervention and treatment is best. If our hearing loss is left untreated, research shows we are at risk for a number of possible complications. These include: depression from social isolation; cognitive decline, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia; and a greater chance of balance issues and falls. In addition, close personal relationships and social interaction were found to be the top two factors affecting longevity (over smoking and exercise). Don’t let hearing loss go untreated. Your health may depend on it!

Quit Smoking this Winter

As the weather gets cooler, the longing to get cozy and stay inside with loved ones increases. Having even one cigarette outside in the cold (and temperatures will keep dropping!) takes you away from this. Why not look for better ways to deal with stress and pain that allow you to stay inside and improve yoir health at the same time? Consider a cardio workout at the gym – this way you can blow off steam and pump healthy endorphins through your body. Then your loved ones will see you bettering yourself in ways that you may be proud they follow.

Disability Tax Credit Eligibility

When people have restrictions, physically or mentally, they may be entitled to apply for a tax credit. There are different ways in which a person can be eligible for the disability tax credit (DTC). In all cases, the impairment must be prolonged. Also, the person must meet one of the following criteria: 1. Is markedly restricted in at least one of the basic activities of daily living. 2. Is significantly restricted in two or more or the basic activities of daily living (can include a vision impairment). 3. Needs life-sustaining therapy. Expert help is available in applying for this substantial tax credit.

Clean Eating: Simple Vegan Eggnog

Ingredients: 1 15-ounce can coconut milk (400 ml), 1/2 cup raw cashews, 1/4 cup water, 3 tbsp maple syrup, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon. Directions: Soak the cashews overnight or for at least 1 hour. Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve the eggnog chilled, so keep it in the fridge for at least 1 or 2 hours. Enjoy the Holiday Season!

Community Event

January 11: 7pm – 9pm. Understanding the Messages from Your Body – Insights to your imbalances. Did you know that when there is pain or tension in one’s body – there is likely tension or pain going on in one’s life. Your mind and body work together and when one is in harmony it usually reflected in another. When one is out of harmony in their life – that will be reflected in their body. As we create harmony in our lives, this creates harmony in our body. MainStay Inn & Suites, 670 King Edward St. $35. Register blazer21@mymts.net 204-573-5275

Choosing a Health Advocate

Choosing a Health Advocate
One of the most important steps in a senior’s life is to choose the right health advocate. Your advocate could be your family member or your friend; someone you can trust with your health concerns. The advocate will play a very important role in your healthcare plans in the future. For example, they can go with you to a doctor, the lab, your pharmacy, or the hospital. It is very important to name an advocate before you need one, and you can decide the limits of their authority. You can find more information, videos, and a “My Patient Advocate Agreement” form at www.safetoask.ca

Essential Oils for Winter Wellness

Cold and flu season is here! Many naturally occurring essential oils from plants and spices, such as clove, cinnamon, and tea tree, can ward off unwanted germs. Citrus oils that contain limonene, like lemon or orange, are great for supporting the immune system. Some oils like oregano and thyme have natural anti-viral properties that are important when faced with viral infections. Essential oils can also speed recovery and help relieve symptoms. For example, peppermint provides a cooling sensation for fevers. Eucalyptus is helpful for chest congestion, and oils of myrtle and pine will help clear a stuffy nose.

Best Treatment for Osteoarthritis

When it comes to osteoarthritis, the best approach is to treat it from the inside and the outside. Specialized nutritional formulations work on the inside of the body by turning off the inflammation-producing mechanisms and strengthening the joints. N.I.R. Laser Therapy works on the outside of the body by decreasing inflammation, thereby reducing pain and stiffness. The laser penetrates to a level that breaks up scar tissue to shrink nodules and increase mobility. Following a multi-faceted approach that feeds and stimulates the joints at the same time greatly enhances the body’s ability to respond. That is why even long-term, severe arthritis sufferers can get relief.