Self-care is key to good health and happiness. Its many benefits include lowering blood pressure, slows aging, improves sleep and provides effective ways to deal with stress. It will help you experience more energy, mental clarity and inner peace. It supports you both internally and externally to take back control of your life. Self-care was once considered selfish but not anymore. Studies show that it is essential for good health. Massage is fantastic for self-care because you can let go of the worries and burdens of life. Simple breathing exercises and meditation are other great options.
Tammy Phye, R.A., EOT, Lifestyle Harmony LifestyleHarmony.ca
Community News
Active Programs for the Whole Family
We hope that one of your healthy habits for 2018 includes being more active. If so, please take a moment this month to check out the City of Nanaimo Activity Guide which has programs for every family member starting in January. It is available online or pick up a copy at our recreation centres. From all of us here at Parks and Recreation, we wish you and your family a happy, healthy and active new year.
City of Nanaimo, Nanaimo.ca
Make a Committment to a Healthy Weight
Many overweight people think that they have a healthy diet and don’t understand what causes them to gain weight. Living at an unhealthy weight is a long term health hazard. This can be overcome by learning how to make smarter lifestyle choices. The first step to overcoming a weight problem is to understand what caused the weight gain in the first place. The next step is to use that knowledge to loose the excess weight and then maintain a stable weight for life. Once you have made a commitment to weight loss, look for a program that offers ongoing support that will help you achieve your goal.
Holiday Wishes
With all the hustle and bustle of deadlines and meetings, we sometimes forget to take the time to reflect on the important things in our lives; our health, our family and our friends. We are grateful for these and many things that we take for granted; clean air, water from the tap and feelings of wellbeing. With Christmas just around the corner, we want to take the opportunity to wish our many readers, advertisers and friends, Peace, Happiness and Good Health this Holiday Season.
Coping with Holiday Stress
The holiday season is a special time but for some, it can be a time of grief and sadness. Sometimes the holidays include stressful situations that lead to more time and money spent on gambling than anticipated. If you plan on gambling during the holidays, here are a couple of strategies to keep things fun and mitigate the risks: Don’t gamble alone; keep it a social activity; leave your bank cards and credit cards at home; and finally, set time and money limits and stick to them. If you feel the need for a distraction such as gambling to escape the holiday stress, look for a healthier alternative: take in a movie, go out for dinner, connect with a friend and please feel free to call our 24/7 confidential helpline at 1-888-795-6111. Our counsellors and support workers are here to help!
Fear of Falls Causes Unsafe Behavior
When someone is fearful of falling, they start to avoid everyday activities by staying at home and doing less. This lack of activity leads to loss of strength, reduced muscle tone, and loss of coordination and balance. This physical deterioration increases the risk of falling and, if a fall does occur, it further heightens the fear. Turn your fear of falling into positive actions: remain active, exercise regularly, use assistive devices such as walkers or grab bars, and wear sensible shoes. Consider joining a group session designed especially to teach balance exercises for fall prevention.
What not to buy for Christmas!?
A popular woman’s magazine ranked socks as the number 2 item on the list of things men definitely do not want for Christmas. What do they know? What could be better than sharing the feeling of wellbeing with someone you love? When you fill the man of your life’s Christmas stockings with the right socks, he will enjoy a gift of wearable technology that can reduce pain, increase strength and endurance and increase stability and balance for months to come. And to make sure that you are fair in your gift giving, don’t forget the women in your life. They too will thank Santa Clause for the socks.
“What do you want for Christmas?”
We all dread that question! If we don’t give a detailed list, we set ourselves up for racy black undies three sizes too small. It is the thought that counts right? Here is a perfect solution to getting what you want for Christmas, in the right size. A good lingerie shop keeps a customer “Wish List”. Go and try on a selection of things that you would love to receive as a gift and add them to your wish list. Then, give the store’s card to your significant other and say “They know what I want!”.
Don’t Let Stress Rule Your Life
STOP take a breath; disengage from your stress and overwhelm. Ask yourself what really matters? Will this issue matter 6 months or a year from now? All too often we get caught up in the moment but it doesn’t have to be that way. Give yourself relief to restore your vitality and focus. Try massage, meditation and walks in nature to help release your physical and mental pain. It’s time for you to get back in the driver’s seat of your life. Explore what really makes you feel good in your heart; what it is that makes it sing like a symphony and then do it!
Tips for Staying Active
This time of year, the darkness coupled with the colder weather, can really challenge our resolve to stay active. Here are a few tips to keep us motivated: 1. Sign up for a fitness or yoga program with Nanaimo Parks and Recreation. If you have registered for a class, you are more likely to show up. 2. Buddy Up – Make a commitment with a friend, family member or even the family dog. You are more likely to follow through on workout commitments if others are with you. 3. Set a Goal – Get 10,000 steps every day for three months. A self-regulated challenge is often enough to keep us moving.
Keep Your Home Healthy this Winter
“Close the door, you are letting in the cold air”. Our homes are built to be energy efficient and we diligently seal any cracks that may be allowing cold drafts into the house. Unfortunately, this also seals off our home from fresh air. In turn this increases the concentration of VOCs from the use of cleaning products, traditional air fresheners and scented personal products. To keep your air healthy, try unscented products, add certain indoor plants and open windows when seasonally possible. There are also a growing number of natural, scent-free air fresheners that absorb both odours and chemicals.
