How often do you take time to just BE? This is what the phrase ‘stop and smell the flowers’ means. It is taking time out of your busy, complicated life to sit, relax, connect with nature and do nothing. Remember you are a human BEing! It is time to stop thinking that taking time for yourself is selfish. Taking time for yourself will make you happier, more productive and better able to support your loved ones. A Certified Body/Emotion Code Practitioner can help you release any unprocessed negative (trapped) emotions to allow YOU to take time for YOU.
Community News
Is Laughter the Best Medicine?
There have been studies that prove that the answer is YES. The Mayo Clinic published a study that showed that laughing is a great form of stress relief. Aside from improving your mood, laughter strengthens the immune system and diminishes pain. It protects your body from the damaging effects of stress by decreasing stress hormones and improving relaxation. It also releases good-feeling endorphins. If this wasn’t enough, a Norwegian study has shown that those with a good sense of humour outlived those who did not, especially when battling a disease such as cancer. So bring on those belly laughs!
Supporting Mental Health & Wellbeing
For low-income parents who have young children, the last two years have been especially difficult. Financial stress, months of social isolation, and the daily challenge of keeping growing minds and bodies busy have taken their toll. And for older children and youth, school disruption and the loss of social connection with their friends have affected their academic and emotional well-being. That’s why SOS Child, Youth and Family programs are so important for supporting mental health and well-being. To learn more about these free programs, or how to support them, visit our website, call us or come by our Community Services Centre in Parksville.
Causes of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss often occurs with age when the inner ear structures degenerate, causing a loss of protective hairs and nerve cells. Other factors that can increase an individual’s risk of developing hearing problems include *Loud noise or occupational hazards: One-time or continuous exposure to high decibel sounds. *Heredity: Your genetic makeup or family history. *Traumatic head injuries. *Ear disease and other diseases like otosclerosis or Ménière’s disease. *Other illnesses: high fever and some medications can damage the inner ear. Consult a hearing professional if you or a loved one is struggling with hearing loss.
Normal Forgetfulness or Dementia?
As we age, it’s normal to experience more frequent instances of memory loss. Some common symptoms of normal memory loss include transience, when the brain forgets some memories over time, and absentmindedness, where you may forget something because you weren’t focused on it. Other factors can also contribute to normal memory loss, such as depression and other mental health issues. Memory loss that involves the following can be cause for concern and should be addressed by a doctor: 1) Forgetting important information, like names. 2) Being extremely disoriented in unfamiliar environments. 3) Major personality changes like aggressiveness or impulsivity.
Reiki – Release Stress and Tension
Reiki offers deep relaxation and helps the body release stress and tension. A reiki treatment gives you time to yourself where you are ‘being’ instead of ‘doing’. Clients report feeling more clear, peaceful, relaxed, and lighter in themselves. Reiki provides a space where you can be more aware of what is going on inside your body and mind. You can learn to listen to your own body and make wise decisions about your wellbeing. Being more present in your body helps you to access the inner knowing and wisdom that we all have!
Peace of Mind Anywhere
Today’s technology allows you to feel safe and secure wherever you might be! Whether in your home, walking to your mailbox or on vacation, some devices give you 24/7 access to help. These on-the-go devices can send an alert when you press a button, send an automatic alert if it senses that you have fallen, and provide direct, two-way communication with a 24/7 Response Center. They are designed to help locate the user in a variety of situations – home or away, indoors and out. It is possible to get out there and enjoy life with peace of mind.
Thank You for Your Support
It’s been a year since we launched our Project Rebuild Campaign to reach more and do more for residents in our community. Thanks to your support, children, youth and families are finding solace at SOS, connecting with others and accessing support. Residents in need of essentials like food and medicine, as well as mental health support, can find them. Seniors can get help with advocacy in times of crisis. Although we still have more work to do, we are humbled by the response from our community and will continue pushing forward to make positive change. Thank you.
The Wellness Hub Vancouver Island
Looking for more local health and wellness information? Check out the Wellness Hub Vancouver Island. It features hundreds of local business and practitioners offering services and products, health tips on a variety of topics, podcasts, reviews and more. It is easy to search, access and share information. While you are on the Wellness Hub, don’t forget to enter the April Contest for a Wellness Basket sponsored by Bonneau Gifts. The draw date is April 30, 2022.
Great Socks for Travel
Many of us have compression socks for traveling. On the day of travel, put them on when you get up; that is when your legs are less swollen. This allows your body to adapt to the socks. Make sure to leave them on for a few hours after you land to again allow your body to adapt. Wearing the socks for the extra time can reduce any swelling of the legs much more effectively than if they are taken straight off. Travel socks do not work unless you wear them. If the ones you have are not comfortable, look for a different kind.
Canada’s Low Risk Gambling Guidelines
Have you heard of Canada’s Low-Risk Gambling Guidelines? Guideline 1) Gamble no more than 1% of household income: For example, a Household income of $70,000 before tax should gamble no more than $58 per month. Guideline 2) Gamble no more than 4 days per month, which works out to roughly once a week. Guideline 3) Avoid regularly gambling at more than 2 types of games: For example, lotteries and slots, scratch tickets and bingo, OR poker and VLTs. 3+ forms of gambling substantially increase the risk of developing a gambling problem. Check them out at GamblingGuidelines.ca #LRGG.
