A tonic herb tonifies the organs, blood, and helps make the whole body work better. Here are some top picks of tonifying herbs: * Nettle tea – nourishing, rich in C, silica, and iron. Excellent for seasonal allergies, * Burdock root – great for inflammation, skin disorders, liver cleanser, blood sugar balancer, * Dandelion leaf and/or root – nutrient rich, aids digestion and supports liver and gallbladder health, * Ginger root – aids digestion and intestinal health, anti-inflammatory, a decongestant. Available as a tea, tincture or capsule, herb tonics are best taken first thing on an empty stomach, and again later in the day. Happy tonifying!
Community News
Surviving the Allergy Season
The warm sunny weather means spending more time outside. If you suffer from seasonal allergies caused by plant pollen, here are a few tips to help you survive allergy season: *Consult weather forecasts to check pollen counts in your area, *Avoid outdoor activities on windy days or early in the morning (before 10 a.m. when pollen counts are highest, Pollen is less present in the air on rainy days, *Wear a mask when mowing the lawn and working in the flower beds.*Don’t hang your laundry to dry outside. If you have questions about how to treat seasonal allergies, your pharmacist can help.
Have a Happy Retirement
As retirement age draws near, most of us develop a vision of what those years will look like. Active senior living communities give older adults the support they need to live their best life. Research shows that older adults who have purpose often live longer, healthier lives. Moving to an active senior living community will provide you with access to life-enrichment programs, volunteer opportunities, the companionship of peers, and a variety of activities and programs to participate in. Each of these can aid in finding purpose once you are no longer raising a family or pursuing a career.
Related Fall Risks
In addition to mobility, there are other risk factors that can lead to falling: Sensory Deficits; problems with sensation, whether it be with the eyes, ears or feeling in the feet, can increase your risk of falling. Have your eyesight and hearing checked regularly and talk to your doctor if you’re experiencing numbness in your feet. Low Blood Pressure; when we quickly go from lying or sitting to standing, our blood pressure drops, this can interfere with balance, vision and coordination. If you feel dizzy or lightheaded when standing, sit down until your head clears, stand up slowly and ensure you have good footing before taking a step.
Care for Your Brain
You only have one brain – and only you have the power to look after it. Be physically fit so your brain has a steady and regular supply of oxygen. Your brain thrives on variety, new experiences, and challenges. Constantly challenge your brain so it continues to learn and build new ways to think. The more out-of-the-ordinary an activity is, the more your brain has to pay attention and think – and learn. Join ‘Let’s Get Brain Fit’ every Thursday from 10-11:30 am on Zoom. Check out our new service ‘Brain on Wheels’ where we come to you to train your brain to keep functioning at top capacity.
Joys of Family Vacations
We may not be able to travel far this summer; thankfully, we live on Vancouver Island which offers everything we could want for a nature vacation. Family vacation time is important for the family unit. Researchers have found that family vacations can improve family communication and bonding. Most families spend their days dealing with work, school, extracurricular activities, or household duties. Breaking away from the stress of daily routine provides relief. Taking time together to share experiences and activities creates memories that will last a lifetime. We still reminisce about a three week family vacation that happened almost 50 years ago.
Support Chemainus Theatre
The Playbill Dining Room at Chemainus Theatre Festival is open for dining on Friday and Saturday evenings with physical-distancing and safety measures in place. Chemainus Theatre Festival is a not-for-profit registered charity; generous donations from patrons enable them to continue the work. The Chemainus Theatre Bridging the Gap Fund has been established to help them withstand this difficult time and to return when it is safe to do so. Today more than ever, they rely on charitable support. If you are able to help, any donation will be an integral part of helping them build towards their next season.
Relief for Restless Legs
Do you sometimes experience an uncontrollable urge to move your legs? HealthLink BC identifies Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) as a disorder related to sensation and movement. The symptoms, often most severe in the evening or nighttime, are an unpleasant or uncomfortable sensations in the legs causing an irresistible urge to move them. Moving the legs only offers temporary relief. If symptoms are mild, a few lifestyle changes may be enough to control them. *Avoid tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine, *Keep the bedroom cool, quiet, and comfortable, *Get regular exercise, *Massage the leg or use heat or ice packs. Some people find relief wearing VoxxLife socks with woven HPT technology.
Closing an Estate
Closing the estate of someone who died can be a tough job while coping with shock or grief. Issues such as properties, insurance, investments, beneficiaries must be taken care of even if the estate is a simple one. When considering your own final affairs, help loved ones by collecting contact information for employers, creditors and investment agencies and note the whereabouts of your Will, Deeds and Ownerships. Record this information in one place to simplify life for your family. The complimentary Family Registry Estate Planner provided by Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens offers a simple method of making all of this crucial information immediately available to your survivors.
Spring Detox
Here are some tips for spring wellness: *Drink lemon or apple cider vinegar water first thing in morning, *Cut out processed sugar and junk food and limit gluten, dairy, and meat consumption. *Include fermented, probiotic-rich foods in your diet. *Drink at least 10 glasses of water and herbal teas such as dandelion, nettle ginger, turmeric, tulsi, and green every day. *Consider taking an occasional dose of aloe vera and/or milk thistle. *Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetable and maybe add in a daily greens powder like moringa or chlorella.
Tea and Toast Syndrome
“Tea and toast syndrome” refers to malnutrition in seniors when a lack of desire or inability to prepare and/or eat proper meals results in them relying on simpler meals like tea and toast. Seniors who skip meals almost daily, have gained/lost more than 10 pounds in the past six months, take medications, have dental issues, or have a disability can be at risk for malnutrition. Some common signs to watch for include unexplained weight loss, fatigue, memory issues, digestive issues, a weak immune system, muscle weakness, and anemia. There are support services available to help seniors eat well and regularly!
