December on Vancouver Island often brings cold and wet weather. Don’t let that stop you from enjoying the outside. Wear warm clothing to stay comfortable and to help prevent frost bite and achy muscles. Proper warm insulated boots with good grips will keep your feet warm so you can still be outside to do what you love to do! Add a good pair of Walking Poles to your outdoor adventures. They keep your balance inline, provide extra stability and give you a light workout! Our physiotherapists can show you proper poling technique and help you with all your poling needs.
Community News
Winter Programs to Help You Stay Active
Studies continually show the benefits of being active and socializing as an important part of being healthy – both physically and emotionally even during a pandemic. The City of Nanaimo is excited to be offering winter programs that take place from January to March. Registration for these program starts on Wednesday, December 2. Join us this season for swimming, skating, fitness, yoga, art, language courses and more! Parks & Recreation offers classes that have safety protocols in place to keep you safe from COVID-19. See our website for a listing of all our upcoming winter programs.
Take a “Staycation”
Taking a vacation can benefit your overall wellbeing and it doesn’t have to mean leaving town or hopping on a plane. Taking a “staycation” can give you much-needed time away from work and remove you from additional work related stress and the risk of burnout. A break from work can allow you to rebuild your energy and provides the opportunity to catch up on sleep and exercise. A well-rested mind, free of worry, is often more effective and creative. Taking time off can be a great chance to relax, rest and enjoy the most of what life has to offer, even life during a pandemic.
Source Local, Support Local
The Central Island Wellness HUB is an online health and wellness resource with local businesses and local information. The Wellness HUB features hundreds of business and practitioners offering services and products in the central Island area. In addition, there are hundreds of health tips and articles on a variety of topics. It is easy to search, access and share information. Do you have a health and wellness business? You can become a member with a free basic listing. See the website for more details.
Relief for Sore Feet and Legs
Do you spend a lot of your day standing or walking? Being on your feet for long periods of time can cause sore feet, swelling of the legs, varicose veins, general muscular fatigue, and other health problems. VoxxLife socks with HPT technology provide enhanced pain relief and management, better stability and balance, improved mobility and more energy. The Athletic Knee highs with gentle compression reduce swelling, keep muscles warm, increase blood flow in the legs and are comfortable for all wearers. Wool work socks with HPT are ideal for working outdoors and for activities like skating and hiking. Socks make great gifts.
Health and the Aging Brain
A mystery of Alzheimer’s is why some people develop the disease while others don’t. This makes finding a cure extremely difficult. Studies show that some of the risks factors of possibly developing the disease include; a history of past concussions, untreated food allergies, high blood glucose levels, neurotoxins and ingesting food grown with pesticides like glyphosate. What can you do to lower the risk? Nourish the brain with the right minerals, fats, vitamins and surround yourself with the right people. It’s vital to get out into nature and exercise! Your Brain will love you for this in its elder years.
Laser for Healing and Pain Relief
Lasers and LED’s are very successful at relieving pain. They produce intense beams of light at specific wavelengths that relieve symptoms of diagnosed neck or back pain, joint conditions, soft tissue injury, concussion symptoms and more. In addition, high-intensity single point lasers can release trigger points and treat acupuncture points. There is substantial clinical evidence published in peer-reviewed medical journals that Photobiomodulation (PBM Therapy) can stimulate repair of tissue, reduce inflammation and relieve pain in musculoskeletal disorders. These studies find that the median magnitude for pain relief using lasers is at least twice that of NSAIDS.
Benefits of Walking Poles
Nordic pole walking, developed in Finland in the 1990s, is now one of the most popular types of exercise for seniors. Walking poles used in pairs, help maintain the right balance and rhythm while walking. They are useful in reducing the risk of tripping, sliding and stumbling over small hazards and on uneven terrain. The benefits of urban pole walking, especially for seniors includes improved endurance, heart health, blood flow, strength, and resting metabolic rate. For people recovering from surgery or anyone with balance issues, pole walking can help you get moving again. Want to learn more about Walking Poles? Come for a free Walking Pole Seminar.
Tips for Fall Prevention
November is Falls Prevention month. Falls are a real concern for older adults. The following tips can reduce your risk:*Get regular exercise and physical activity. *Have your medications reviewed by a physician or pharmacist as some medication combinations can cause dizziness that leads to falling. *Have your vision and hearing checked regularly. Poor vision and hearing are linked to increased risk of falls. *Make your home safer – remove tripping hazards, improve lighting and keep important items within reach. In the event that a fall happens, getting help quickly is important. Lifeline’s Auto Alert button provides help 24/7 and automatically detects falls.
Gambling Support Available 24/7
Covid 19 continues to disrupt our routines. BC casinos and gaming centres remain closed as per public health order closures. Consequently, online gambling platforms have experienced an increase in play. This shift may worsen risk factors including social isolation and increased substance use as well as an increase in use of credit to gamble. The Responsible & Problem Gambling Program remains committed to serving the people of BC 24/7. Our support services include outreach, education, and counselling services by phone, text, web chat, or in person, all of which are FREE of charge. We’re here for you, should gambling take a harmful turn.
Renewing your Prescriptions
At the Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy, we offer FOUR Ways to renew your Medication, saving you time and ensuring that you never miss a dose. Our Medicine Shoppe Mobile App is simple, fast, and efficient for regular medication renewals. *Online Renewals – Ideal for long-term drug therapies and regular medication. Renew your medication, set automatic renewals and create reminders. *Medication Synchronization – Synchronize all multiple prescriptions at once. We will contact you once your prescriptions are due to renew. *Phone – call us to renew your prescription. We also offer curbside pick-up and home delivery, making access to your prescriptions easier than ever.
