Starting the Change Process: Building on the 6 stages of changing habits (Pre-contemplation,Contemplation, Preparation, Action, Maintenance and Termination), it has been proven that without a plan or readiness, trying to change a habit is likely to fail. Motivation is key. You need compelling reasons why you want to change a habit. You must be aware of the pain associated with continuing on your current path, and the rewards of changing. “Should” is not compelling! To increase motivation, use others as inspiration. Model the behaviour of someone with the behaviour you want, or notice the ill effects of the habit you want to change. Talk about or journal in detail what you DON’T want to clarify your desire. Include emotional elements; we all are attached to our habits. Next, detail what you DO want. Then focus on inconsistencies between your current behaviour and your desired change. This will put you in touch with reality and increase your motivation!

Juhree Zimmerman R.N., B.Sc.N., M.Ed., C.P.C.C., O.R.S.C.C. Master Certified Coach,

www.strategyforsynergy.ca

After the age of 40 we begin to lose our ability to focus up close, and to help with that, we have progressive lenses. However, one pair of glasses may not always cover all of our needs. Computers play a big role in our lives today, but unfortunately when viewed with progressives can cause some difficulty in viewing. With progressive lenses, we often have to tilt our head upward, which can create neck strain. Single vision reading glasses have a fixed focal point, so they may be great for reading, but we tend to lean into our computer to see the screen. With Nikon office lenses, a very large portion of the lens is dedicated to the computer, but still has a separate reading area to help when print is held close up. The office lenses will give a much wider viewing angle and are positioned higher so that you can look straight on at the monitor.

Dr. Nicholas Catchuk
www.iris.ca

Worrying is an understandable response to life stress – we get anxious that things won’t work out, and so we start thinking about the situation. We can be trying to solve things, or to prevent bad events from happening; or we find it hard to stop rehearsing terrible stories in our heads! Worrying can become a troublesome habit. Other signs of anxiety include poor sleep, having trouble with concentration, being extra jumpy or watchful, or getting easily upset. Anxiety can also show up as physical discomfort or even panic. Exercise can help. But sometimes we need to talk to someone, to feel heard and to get a new, non-judgemental perspective on things. A counsellor can provide a safe place to figure it out – whether you need calming techniques, to change your habits of mind, or to get help making other changes in your life.

Mary Munro MA, MC
www.marymunro.ca

Over your life so far have you become an optimized version of your own self?  Optimization is used to describe beneficial developments in technology but what “body bugs” have you optimized lately? Most of us can boast intellectual and spiritual optimization however, in many cases the physical body becomes neglected, less optimized than it was as an earlier/younger version. Some bugs just never get “fixed”!  Without optimization they leave permanent degeneration leading to arthritis, poor performance or chronic pain. The Feldenkrais Method of movement education when used is an incredible tool for learning and optimizing your physical body. By using this method you can learn to move with awareness and intention that will benefit and enhance how your body functions for a lifetime. For chronic shoulder issues check out this simple shoulder optimization lesson by Roxanne Derkson RMT, Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner www.vivitherapy.com/blog (March 2016)

Spring is here and so are the drastic changes in weather.  Rain, followed by sun, clouds and lots of wind, sometimes all in the same day!

We’ve all got that uncle that predicts weather based on his knee pain, but at UC Life Chiropractic Centre we’re hearing from people that can tell a weather change is coming due to the pressure changes felt inside their sinuses and head.  Headaches and migraines are often the result of these changes and in some folks a debilitating pain can come on and last for days.

The reason?  As environmental barometric pressure changes (increases or decreases), so too does the internal pressure inside your head.  For most of us, we have a buffer zone that allows for this pressure change to occur relatively unnoticed, but for some, there just doesn’t seem to be room inside the head to handle even the smallest bit of change.

In these frustrating situations, we’re often dealing with a physical obstruction to the natural flow of fluids in and out of the head and the openings that allow for these fluids to pass.  The most important area is located at the top of the neck at the junction between the head and the neck.  If structurally misaligned in this area it just makes it harder to keep our bodies in a comfortable zone.

Does this sound like you or someone you know?  Let’s check and see if we can help you see life!

Dr. Matthew Kittleson , UC Life Chiropractic

www.uclife.ca

Have you ever tried to change a little bit, be patient with your progress, watch, see, feel, how small changes grow into bigger ones as you learn, absorb your changes and improved self.  Try quitting a bad habit or modifying an unhealthy one. By making small changes we move in the direction of bigger change, without the stress, conflict or higher risk of failure, pressure that big change requires. A healthy body builder needs years to transform their physique through steady workouts and nutrition. A vegan might not go off dairy or eggs right away but transition as they feel more in control and knowledgeable about food choices.  Treating yourself to professional massage if you are not used to it can really elevate self awareness, speed recovery, helping you focus on other healthy choices. Our biggest loser mentality discredits smaller efforts and how they lead to inspired and bigger changes. Remember the tortoise and the hare?

Roxanne Derkson RMT GCFP, www.vivitherapy.com

Spring is in the air, time for renewing your life. Let go of what you don’t need and bring in what you do need. Take a break from the TV to be more creative, have dinner by candlelight or just sit quietly to meditate and listen. Go outside and spend more time in nature. Take a hike, plant a garden, or work in a community garden. Create a balanced fitness program or modify the one you are already following that will support your healthy body/mind happiness. Start a ritual. The ritual surrounding matcha is ancient, precise and beautiful. The use of an earthen bowl to hold the fresh green tea, and the wooden scoop and wooden whisk to froth it up, is very significant from a 5 element perspective, and lends the energy of wood (growth, determination, and upward mobility) to your drink. Spring is about renewal, matcha is about renewal. Take your moment.

Tiffanie and Kip Home, www.justmatcha.com