Community News
Meditation Made Easy

In our busy chaotic world, life seems to have an ever increasing hectic pace. You may be stressed from increased demands on your time and energy. This can leave you feeling frustrated, impatient and unhappy. Left unaddressed, over time it can wreck havoc with your health, your life and your joy. Meditation is a wonderful solution! It is often ignored, even ridiculed because many don’t understand it. Meditation is something that can be done anywhere, anytime. The key is learning a few basics and then building on them. Meditation can, in a matter of moments, support your transformation from hurried and disturbed to calm and understanding. There are many different styles and forms of Meditation. Explore what works for you to achieve inner peace and stillness. Want to experience more calm and a sense of inner control? You can start now by being aware of your breath’s movement.

Tammy Phye, R.A., EOT
LifestyleHarmony.ca

Orthotics & Summer Footwear

More and more people rely on custom foot orthotics to treat biomechanical issues related to the feet, whether it be plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, arthritic knees or low back pain, just to name a few. Now that summer has finally arrived, the question most orthotic wearers ask is what to do when it’s sandal weather. When orthotics are needed to correct altered foot mechanics it is important to wear them during all weight bearing activities.Fortunately many shoe manufacturers recognize the increasing need for sandals that accommodate custom orthotics. These sandals have removable foot beds that can be taken out to make room for your orthotics. If you recently purchased sandals but your orthotics don’t fit into them properly, very often a simple low-cost adjustment will solve the problem. Sandals don’t provide the same support as a closed-in shoe but can allow pleasant relief from the heat even for orthotic wearers.

Bryan Mitchell, B.D.
MitchellPandO.com

Be Proactive with Your Health and Safety 

Are you, like so many of us, part of what is being called the “silver tsunami”? This demographic is causing concern about its effect on health care costs and our ability to provide health care. These days with long waiting times, we need to be proactive about our own health and safety. It is very important to have options in place so that in an emergency you can summon help. A daily phone call with a neighbour or family member is a good way to ensure that someone knows you are safe. There  are also community groups and non-profit organizations that can help us check in on one another. We all need a buddy, a “go to” person to be there when you need help, and we all need help from time to time.

Joan Ryan, Nanaimo Lifeline
NanaimoLifeline.ca

Ozone Relieves Respiratory Infections 

Inhalation ozonide therapy is good for any acute upper respiratory infection, such as sinus infections, bronchitis, flu, colds, and viral pneumonias. Both asthmatics and patients with chronic lung disease can use it. Ozone gas is bubbled through olive oil to the inhaler which turns it into ozonides molecules and is completely safe to inhale. The ozonides can last for weeks in the human body and have an incredible regenerative effect on our cells and organs. For instance, they stimulate the formation of the cytokine molecules that our immune systems use to control and eliminate infections. They also increase the delivery of oxygen to the cells, which is critical for lung conditions. Then they stimulate the cells to generate more energy and that is the key to the vitality we all want to feel, in each breath.

Dr. Sterling Desmond, Dr. TCM, R.Ac.
EvolveWithDesera.com

Wellnessnews Meetup Group

The Wellnessnews Meetup group is for people interested in Health and Wellness. It is free to join. We offer workshops on a variety of topics including alternative medicine, nutrition, healing, healthy weight-loss and many other wellness topics. Admission is free or by donation. Most workshops are 60 – 90 minutes in length. Over time, we hope to offer workshops between Cowichan Valley and Comox Valley. We also inform our members about health and wellness events, trade shows and activities happening in Central Vancouver Island. Here at the Wellnessnews, we love sharing the gift of health and wellness knowledge with our communities. Our next workshop is Bingo with a Twist. There are prizes to be won and refreshments to enjoy while we play Bingo.

Teresa Ostman, Publisher, Wellnessnews Central Island
Meetup.com/Wellnessnews

Wellnessnews Workshops

We offer workshops on a variety of topics including alternative medicine, nutrition, healing, healthy weight-loss and more. Admission is free and most workshops are 60 – 90 minutes in length. Sign up today to view upcoming workshops and receive information on new events as they are posted.

Next workshop: May 17, “Journey to Wholeness: Body, Mind and Spirit.”

Teresa Ostman
Meetup.com/Wellnessnews

Dementia Signs and Symptoms

Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s, which accounts for 60-80 percent of cases. The greatest known risk factor is increasing age, and the majority of people with Alzheimer’s are 65 and older.  Symptoms to watch for with your loved ones include; memory loss, communication and language difficulties, inability to focus and pay attention, poor reasoning and judgment and changes in visual perception. A successful way to help is to focus on the Eden Philosophy.  The philosophy is to eliminate loneliness, helplessness and boredom with a focus on wellness rather than illness. When an individual’s ability to contribute is recognized, the years to come can be a time of meaningful active and satisfying personal growth.

Lianne Ketcheson, Nanaimo Memory and Complex Care
NanaimoMemoryCare.com

Yoga for Every Body

Has your health provider recommended that you try yoga? Yoga is for every body, at any age. Here’s why: Increased flexibility: You don’t have to be a super “bendy” person to benefit from yoga. In fact, lack of flexibility is what initially leads many people to yoga. Practicing yoga poses correctly and regularly will help to stretch muscles and increase the range of motion in your joints. Better posture: Using abdominal muscles to maintain poses will help strengthen your core, making it easier to stand taller, and stronger. Improved breathing: The deep, mindful breathing of yoga can help you increase lung capacity and endurance, and can be very helpful for anyone looking to improve their athletic performance. Stress Relief: Yoga can give you a sense of calm, right from your very first class. Over time you will learn to quiet the mind and better handle stress and anxiety.

Susan Pederson, Owner of Suga Yoga
SugaYogaParksville.com

Downsize “Stuff” to Reduce Stress

Want to decrease your stress levels? Try downsizing your closets, home office or garage. These are the three most likely places that need a clean-up on a regular basis, as we tend to throw stuff on surfaces or in piles rather than finding it a permanent home. Start from one corner of the desk, garage or shelf and keep going until you feel happy with the results. Schedule downsizing daily, weekly or monthly and hold yourself accountable to stick to it. Keep a recycle box close to your desk, a donation bag in your bedroom closet and a garbage can in your garage so they are close by when you need them. You won’t get distracted and defeated from having to hunt one down if it’s already in place. See if you can convince your friends or family to help with a problematic area; they may be downsizing addicts and are itching to help!

Marian Remenda, Professional Organizer, Rightsize Your Home
Right-SizeYourHome.com

Warning Signs from our Bodies

A health problem may start many years before you experience a symptom. The symptom is like the tip of the ice berg. Warning signs can be plantar warts, corns, athlete’s foot or ingrown toenails. There was a man who had plantar warts at the ball of his foot. In Reflexology, the ball of the foot corresponds to the lung. The plantar warts were surgically removed. He was also a smoker with morning cough. Once he stopped smoking, the cough went away. It is important to heed the warning signs that our bodies give us. With Chinese Medicine, Reflexology, or knowledge about Meridians (Acupuncture, Acupressure), a practitioner knows where in the body a problem is starting. With Reconnective Healing® the body/Creator knows what to heal.

Anna Christine Doehring, RHFP, RCP, Energy All Around Therapies
Energy-All-Around.com

Recreational Gambling

If you enjoy gambling, here are some strategies to keep gambling recreational.

1) Plan Ahead: Arrange your day and evening beforehand and plan other leisure activities in addition to gambling.

2) Set a Time Limit: Determine the amount of time you are going to gamble before you start. Ensure you stick to your time limit by wearing a watch, setting your phone alarm, or have someone call or pick you up.

3) Set a Money Limit: Determine the amount of money you are going to bet before you start. Use only money set aside for entertainment, not money needed for food, bills or other necessities. Decide in advance if you are going to play any winnings along the way or keep them separate to take them home. To help you stick to your set limit, leave your debit and credit cards at home.

Karen Hlady, Community Engagement & Prevention Advisor,
Gambling Awareness Program, BCResponsibleGambling.ca

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