Community News
Happy & Healthy in 2022

Many of us made a New Year’s Resolution to take better care of ourselves in 2022. We welcome you to check out the Wellness Hub, our local, online Health and Wellness resource for great information on doing just that. The Wellness Hub features hundreds of health tips and articles on a variety of health and wellness topics along with a directory of hundreds of local businesses and practitioners offering services and products. It is easy to search, access and share information. While you are checking out the Wellness Hub, don’t forget to enter the January Contest. The draw date is January 31, 2022.

Importance of Vitamin D

With the darker winter months upon us, the suns rays are not strong enough for our bodies to produce Vitamin D. This is why Osteoporosis Canada recommends that most Canadian adults should take a daily vitamin D supplement. Vitamin D plays an essential role in bone health by facilitating the absorption of calcium. Plus, it also helps maintain muscle health and reduce the risk of fractures caused by falls. A number of studies have suggested that it may also reduce the risk of certain diseases such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and some cancers. Talk to one of our pharmacists about recommended doses.

Healthy Food for Healthy Minds

Children and youth living in low-income households have been some of the hardest affected during the pandemic. 1 in 3 children under the age of 6 in District 69 lives in poverty without enough to eat. When kids are deprived of adequate nutrition, it is harder for them to focus, adding to their anxiety. Ensuring all children have access to healthy food should be our top priority. You can help by donating to the SOS grocery gift cards fund to fill hungry bellies and nurture healthy minds. Donate online at www.sosd69.com, by phone 250-248-2093, in person or mail to: SOS – 245 West Hirst Ave. PO Box 898 Parksville BC V9P 2G9. Thank you.

Time to Reflect

Happy New Year! Another year has come and, as always, the start of a new year brings about some reflection. Do you need some changes? Are you contemplating a move? Maybe you’re tired of the day-to-day chores of meal prep, cleaning, yard maintenance, or you’re feeling somewhat lonely. If so, there are great options available. From independent living to care, there are many retirement communities that can cater to your interests, wants and needs. Book your tours to see what is available as far as retirement lifestyles go – it is never too soon to start exploring!

DECEMBER LOCAL WELLNESS BOX PRIZE PACKAGE

Over $500.00 worth of prizes including; $210.00 Therapeutic Yoga-Based Movement Gift Card – BodyWell Remedial Exercise & Registered Massage Therapy www.getbodywell.com
$115.00 Initial evaluation and treatment Gift Card – Red Sage Wellness – Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine www.redsagewellness.com
2 Tickets to the Vancouver Island Symphony – Mozart’s Serenade March 19, 2022 in Nanaimo www.vancouverislandsymphony.com
Voxxlife Socks from Great Socks for Allwww.greatsocksforall.voxxlife.com
Cactus Club – Gift Card www.cactusclubcafe.com/location/victoria

Phones for Hearing Impaired

There is nothing sweeter than the sound of a loved one’s voice even if it is only on the telephone. Unfortunately for someone with hearing loss, using the telephone can be a frustrating experience. Suffering from hearing loss not only affects your hearing in live conversations, it makes using the telephone a real challenge. Because of today’s inclusive technology, phones and other useful hearing aid accessories for communication for people hard of hearing are now available. Hearing aid phones are a great gift that will help your loved one live life normally despite the hearing loss.

Experience Profound Relaxation

Your body can be rebalanced and reset on a physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual level. A therapy session in The Harmonic Egg (a uniquely engineered bio resonance chamber) activates the body’s repair mechanism to promote profound relaxation. With the fusion of advanced technology and ancient wisdom, it uses the vibrational energies of sacred geometry, light, colour, and sound. These frequencies vibrate to create a 360 degree amplified resonance experience that returns the body to homeostasis. Each energy therapy session is individually tailored and is precisely controlled, consistent, and repeatable. It is completely non-invasive and 100% safe. Use code XMAS99 in December to save $25.

Happy Holiday Wishes

As another year draws to a close, we give thanks for the many blessings that we have received. We continue to publish this newsletter, along with four additional local ones here on the island, with help from our communities. We thank our advertisers, readers, subscribers and newsletter distributors for helping us to continue to spread the wellness message. A big thank you to Isabella Ostman who is retiring at the end of the year. She worked with Teresa for five years to establish and grow our newsletters and the WellnessHub. We wish everyone Peace, Happiness and Good Health this Holiday Season.

Socks for Christmas

Socks are not usually on the list of most wanted Christmas gifts but they should be. Anyone who works on their feet all day, the hiker and skier out in nature or the senior working hard to maintain their mobility would be thrilled to receive a pair of Voxx socks. Benefits from wearing the socks include enhanced pain relief and management, especially PDN pain, enhanced postural stability and balance, improved mobility and higher energy levels. You deserve the benefits of Voxx socks too, so get a pair or two for yourself while shopping for your loved ones.

Gift Ideas for Seniors

Seniors can sometimes be hard to buy gifts for, but there are some simple and thoughtful gifts that any older adult would be happy to receive. Experience gifts are a great way to show you care! This could include a special day out, a class you take together, a bucket list experience, or a special meal. If your loved one enjoys corresponding, stationery sets can be great, or you can go digital with online subscriptions to magazines or gift cards to purchase books or music online. Comforting gifts like non-skid slippers, scented soaps, or scrapbooks are also good ideas!

No Longer Gambling Just for Fun?

December can be a challenging month at the best of times. The pandemic has taken its toll on us emotionally, physically, intellectually, spiritually, and financially. Online gambling has increased in popularity while land-based venues have reopened where players have renewed their patronage. If gambling used to be a light-hearted and fun activity but has changed to become an outlet or longshot for financial and/or emotional stress relief, connect with us at VI Gaming Support. You can reach us by phone, text, email, social media (Facebook & Instagram), or online on our website at VIGamingSupport.ca. Provincial toll-free support line 1-888-795-6111 is open 24/7.