With the beautiful weather of summer comes an increase in many people’s activity levels. We are more motivated to get out and enjoy the sunshine while it lasts. With the increase in physical activity comes an increase in activity-related injuries and muscle strains. To reduce injury occurrence, a very simple thing we all can do is some easy warm-up exercises. Lunges, bending forward, arm circles, side bending, and jumping jacks are some great exercises that can warm up and stretch a lot of muscles before we get going. Post-exercise stretching will also reduce your risk of injury. Enjoy the sunshine!

Scheduling your workouts first thing in the morning likely means they will not get canceled or interrupted by other commitments which help establish a workout routine. Engaging in morning exercise will help you feel more awake and improve physical and mental energy. Morning workouts help improve your sleep – A study showed that people who exercised regularly in the morning reported that their sleep improved. Nanaimo Parks and Recreation offers a variety of morning fitness opportunities, including fitness classes, weight rooms, public swims and walking trails found throughout the City. For more information, please visit www.nanaimo.ca.

Have you ever had an accident or been injured? Have you had surgery or just plain stress? Most of us can answer YES to these question. These traumas leave a footprint of disturbance or tension (fight or flight) in the body that need to be dealt with. Bowen Therapy is a gentle way to reset and unwind to the rest and repair state. Bowen therapy works on the soft connective tissue (fascia) of the body and consists of sequences of small moves, each at a specific site on the body. It is safe for all ages and conditions.

With the early sunrises of summer take advantage of the benefits morning exercising brings: * Morning workouts increase metabolism – A study found that participants burned an extra 190 calories in the 14 hours after exercising. * Morning workouts help you feel better – Exercising creates endorphins that help you feel happier and more positive. Nanaimo Parks and Recreation offers a variety of morning fitness opportunities, including fitness classes, weight rooms, public swims and walking trails found throughout the City. For more information, please visit www.nanaimo.ca

Darkfield microscopy is a form of live blood analysis that allows the practitioner and patient to have a detailed look at the individual’s health. A singular drop of blood gets suspended under the microscope and projected onto a screen. From there you are able to see and analyze what your blood consists of and view any deficiencies or abnormalities that may be present. It is a very useful tool to determine if further essential and detailed tests by your doctors are needed. Darkfield Microscopy shows nutritional deficiencies, gut problems, underlying infections, bacteria presence, autoimmune reactions, and much more.

For over twelve years, D’Arcy Boulton, Registered Physiotherapist B.Sc (PT) has provided a warm, welcoming and professional environment at Bastion Physiotherapy. Experience, integrity and results guide all their client relationships. Their client centered approach will have you back doing the activities you love in the shortest amount of time possible. The clinic offers free Pole Walking seminars that highlighting proper use of poles and the proven benefits of Urban Poling. Benefits include better balance and stability, increased mobility and healthy weight management. Bastion Physiotherapy is located in Nanaimo at the Caledonian Medical Clinic and on Gabriola Island near the Village.

With the arrival of summer comes camping, hiking and all things outdoor related! Even if we aren’t into camping or hiking, most of us do spend more time outside in the sun. Protecting ourselves from the sun involves more than just applying sunscreen. Avoiding the sun around the hours of solar noon reduces our exposure to harmful UV rays. Wearing a light, long-sleeved shirt and a hat to cover our faces will also help reduce our exposure and decrease our risk of burning. Make sure to stay well hydrated with water and have a great summer!

Remember being a kid and summer seemed to last forever? Nanaimo Parks and Recreation has activities that will make you FEEL like a kid again. *Water Parks – Departure Bay, Deverill, Harewood and Mansfield Parks until September. *Playground Program – Monday to Friday at various locations throughout the city. *Find the Golden Bucket Contest – Get the clue from Facebook or website every Wednesday until July 25. Find the bucket, answer a question and you could win some great prizes! *Westwood Lake – lifeguards on duty daily June 24th until September 3rd. For details, visit www.nanaimo.ca.

There are things you can do for proper sleep hygiene: Avoid long naps; consider going for a short walk instead. Maintain a regular sleep routine; go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Keep your bedroom quiet and comfy; lower body temperature generally equals better sleep. No electronic devices in bed; blue light emitted from these devices interferes with sleep. Invest in a body pillow to avoid waking up with body pain. If you sleep on your side, an organic body pillow will make hip and shoulder pain a thing of the past.