In addition to helping you stay lean and strong, a whole-body workout that includes resistance training will help strengthen your bones. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center reports that regular exercise is essential for treating and preventing osteoporosis. Bone is living tissue that can be strengthened with weight-bearing and weight training exercises. Exercising also helps us maintain muscle strength, coordination, and balance, which in turn helps to prevent falls and related fractures.

When insomnia is ongoing, try altering your sleep habits. There is ample clinical evidence supporting the effectiveness of a concept called Sleep Hygiene – recommendations that help with the specific aim of improving sleep quality. Even a few slight adjustments can mean the difference between sound sleep and a restless night. Have a bedtime routine, let your body know it’s time to sleep. Don’t go to bed hungry or stuffed and avoid nicotine, caffeine and alcohol. Create a restful bedroom environment that is cool, dark and quiet. Schedule ‘worry’ time for the next day and go to bed worry-free!

This time of year shifts our focus to romantic love and relationships. It symbolizes new beginnings, as we discover new meaning. Finding meaning helps us reflects how we want to be remembered. It encourages something that we can be positive about, helps us be strong and promotes our well-being. Much like love, when we feel our relationships have meaning, we are more engaged and determined to face life stressors. To help you connect with your meaning, challenge yourself to re-define what your love means to you, be fearless in the process and let your heart grow.

When your knees chronically hurt you are told it’s a sign of aging and degeneration, which is very true. However, did you know there is a method of treatment to regenerate your knees? Prolozone therapy results in about 75% of chronic pain sufferers to become permanently pain free. Chronic pain occurs in areas of the body that are especially vulnerable to the effects of decreased oxygen utilization and aging. Prolozone therapy with procaine, natural anti-inflammatory medications, vitamins & minerals and ozone gives the tissues what they need to heal. And as they heal, the circulation to the knees is re-established.

Small changes when you’re working to better your overall health and wellbeing can really add up! This year, consider some simple habit shifts like these: If you find yourself reaching for junk foods frequently, make healthy snacks like fruit and nuts available at all times to curb your cravings. Practice simple deep breathing exercises throughout the day. Count to five as you breathe in, hold your breath while you count to five again, and slowly breathe out while counting to five once more. Take a break from sitting throughout the day by taking brisk walks inside or outdoors!

A new year brings new goals, which require us to challenge ourselves and move away from what’s easy. Without challenge, we cannot change! Seeking different types of therapeutic help and forms of exercise is a great way to do this, and it’s perfectly fine (and normal!) to experience some discomfort in our bodies. Discomfort means we are challenging our bodies to change neurologically and physiologically! Listening to your body is key and learning the difference between temporary discomfort and longer lasting aggravation comes with practice. Book a discovery appointment today to combine movement exploration with hands on massage!

Q: I’m 68 years old and my health insurance only covers glasses every two years. Why does my optometrist keep asking me to come in every year?
A: BC’s Medical Services Plan usually partially covers yearly optometric examinations for those over 65, regardless of your own personal health insurance plan. This is because it is well known that age increases the risk of eye diseases like cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration, which are checked during eye examinations. Having a yearly eye exam as a senior doesn’t mean you need to get new glasses every year; the exams are recommended for the health of your eyes.

There are many misconceptions about the ‘right’ way to invest into retirement. Everyone has different ideas, needs and investing temperament. You may become very conservative when employment income ends, but you may not. Investing for growth (at least to some degree) is crucially important for most of us, as we will need growth to provide income and not erode purchasing power as we age. Many of us will also have 20-30 years (or more) dependent upon our own investments to meet our lifestyle needs. Seek out a Certified Financial Planner for an analysis and review of your accounts to see if your portfolio is optimal for your situation.

Essential oils have long been used to aid in the body’s wellbeing. Chakras (a Sanskrit word meaning “wheel of energy”) play a big role in keeping you balanced and healthy. It is possible to use essential oils to help in the healing of chakras, and to release accumulated emotional and physical disease from them. For example, Green Valley Aromatherapy’s Heart blend goes together with the fourth chakra. This chakra governs blood circulation, the immune system, skin, hands, and the heart. It is associated with understanding, forgiveness, healing, sharing, sincerity, and unconditional love. With the use of this blend, it may be possible to heighten all these wonderful traits and create balance within your body.

Helping Seniors Live at Home
Where do you want to live out your senior years? Chances are you’d want to keep living in your own home. It never hurts to think ahead. Often, homes can be made safer and more accessible with minor or major home modifications. Small, inexpensive changes that can make a big difference to a senior’s comfort and safety include installing railings and grab bars; improving lighting for hallways, staircases and rooms; eliminating tripping hazards (rugs, power cords, uneven surfaces); changing doorknobs and cabinet pulls to lever handles; adding higher toilet seats; and widening doorways to accommodate walkers and wheelchairs.