Wellnessnews, Author at Wellnessnews

Transforming Fear

Fear has a way of stopping us in our tracks and shutting us off from accessing our innate wisdom and ability to think outside the box into new ways of being. It can torment us at the best of sleep hours and paralyze us into frozenness if we let it! Fear is a deep seated feeling that lies within our bodies and needs to be breathed through our bodies so that all the feelings beneath it (deep sadness, grief, worry, hurt and loss) can be released. Fear needs to be lightened and transformed into something more fluid. When we hear the wisdom of our fears, we can feel our deepest vulnerabilities that allow us to know we are at the edge of our comfort zone poised between old life choices and new decisions to be birthed. With Spring we welcome a lightness of being!

D’Arcy Bruning Haid, Masters in Counselling Psychology

www.souls-journey.com

Senior Safety Checklist

Are all throw rugs and scatter mats secured in place to keep them from slipping? Yes_ No_
Do you have a first aid kit and know where it is? Yes_ No_
Do the steps of your stairs have a non-skid surface? Yes_ No_
Are there solid handrails on both sides of the stairway? Yes_ No_
Do you remove your reading glasses when using the stairs? Yes_ No_
Are heavy items on lower shelves or in bottom cupboards? Yes_ No_
Do you use a ladder or a stable step stool (with a safety rail) for reaching high places? Yes_ No_
Are all chemicals, such as bleach, cleaners and paint thinners, clearly identified? Yes_ No_
Are flammable materials stored as indicated by the directions on the label and away from sources of heat and flame? Yes_ No_
Do you keep night lights or other sources of light on in case you get up in the middle of the night? Yes_ No_

Life Assure

www.lifeassure.com

Differentiating Between IBS and IBD

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) are common today and are often viewed as the same thing. They are not. IBD is a broad term referring to chronic inflammation of the bowels, mostly linked to Crohn’s and Colitis. IBS is not classified as a true disease, it’s known instead as a ‘functional disorder’, which means they don’t know what is causing the symptoms and test results generally come back normal. IBS is usually characterized by a combination of abdominal pain, cramps, constipation and diarrhea. IBD can cause the same symptoms as IBS as well as; eye discomfort, extreme fatigue, joint pain and rectal bleeding. Both can cause urgent bowel movements. There are natural therapies including reflexology and acupuncture that can help keep symptoms under control.

Trenna Reid, Discover Reflexology

www.discoverreflexology.ca

Exercise During Pregnancy

There once was a time when many pregnant women were put on bed rest, but there is more and more evidence supporting exercises during pregnancy. Even those who haven’t been active prior to pregnancy are encouraged to gradually increase their physical activity, especially during the second trimester. According to the American Counsel of Sports Medicine, benefits of exercise far outweigh risks. Benefits include decreased chances of developing gestational diabetes or preeclampsia, decreased lower back pain and better weight control. Guidelines for exercise intensity use the ‘talk test’, whatever activity you’re performing; you should still be able to carry on a conversation without being excessively short of breath. It’s recommended to exercise 15-30 minutes/day 3-5 days per week. Types of exercise include lower impact activities that don’t involve contact or high risk of falls. Your physiotherapist can show you different exercise modifications to keep workouts safe yet effective throughout your pregnancy and beyond.

Susanne Robson, BMR(PT) Prairie Trail Physiotherapy

www.prairietrailphysio.ca

Why Massage Therapy?

Have you ever wondered why people go for massages? There is so much more to it than just getting a relaxing massage! A Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) attends school for 1-2 years and is required to take continuing education courses every year in order to maintain their skills and to learn new ones. Massage Therapists are taught how to assess your body as well as to ask the right questions in order to figure out what’s wrong with the client. Massage Therapists treat your conditions, ailments, pains and discomfort accordingly. We have a plethora of knowledge and abilities that will help our clients. As an RMT we have many ways of fixing (107) your pains and discomforts. We help people rehabilitate from injury, car accidents, surgery etc. If you are in need of some relief from chronic pain or injury, or just want some time to yourself, contact a local RMT and book your appointment.

Thea Juenke, Rejuvenate Massage Therapy

www.facebook.com/Rejuvenate-Massage-Therapy

Painting Improves Mental Health

Painting is an activity that benefits our quality of life and mental health. Painting is therapeutic because it offers a way to release us from stress and anxiety and helps relax our body. As we focus our attention and energy on the activity at hand, we are distracted from our usual thoughts and stressors which allows us to let go of the problems and the demands that plague us. Painting also relieves mental strain by stimulating the creative side of our brain as we create beauty and become immersed in the flow of the brush and colours of the paint. The positive emotional reactions we have after spending time in a safe, creative atmosphere promote a sense of optimism and wellbeing. The result is numerous health benefits on both the mind and body that lead to a happier, healthier lifestyle.

Amber Van Ma’iingan, Painting On the Prairies

www.ontheprairies.ca

Foot Health Awareness Month

Let’s admit it, sometimes we take our bodies for granted. It’s no different for our feet. Our feet are important – they carry us through life! The 52 bones in your feet make up for a quarter of all the bones in your body. The foot performs 3 main functions that are related to biomechanics; they absorb shock, act as a rigid lever to propel the body forward, and they help the body adapt to different ground environments. The foot forms the basic foundation of the body and represents the body in its entirety. Any impairment to its function will displace the body’s centre of gravity, making it necessary for other areas to overcompensate. Almost 95% of all foot deformities are painless but affect the spine, shoulders, and cervical displacement. Taking good care of your feet through regular reflexology treatments, exercise, foot strengthening exercises, and hygiene will help to keep the foot strong and healthy.

Gloria Laing, Registered Canadian Reflexology Therapist, Gloria’s Reflexology

www.gloriasreflexology.ca

May is Food Allergy Awareness Month

Severe allergic reactions (or ‘Anaphylactic Reactions’) occur when the body’s immune system strongly reacts to a particular allergenic protein or irritant. This may be caused by food, insect stings and medications. If you or someone else requires the use of an epinephrine auto-injector or an ‘Epi-Pen®’, you should know exactly how to use it. First, call 911 to get medical help immediately as the effects of epinephrine can wear off or you could have a second reaction!

Next, remove the EpiPen® from the carrier tube and follow these 2 simple steps:

1) Hold firmly with orange tip pointing downward. Remove blue safety cap by pulling straight up.

2) Swing and push orange tip firmly into mid-outer thigh until you hear a ‘click’. Hold on the thigh for several seconds.

Yvonne Harder, East Man Safety

www.eastmansafety.ca

Your Body IS a Yoga Body

The most important part of yoga is showing up on your mat and being present. It doesn’t matter what size or shape your body is. It doesn’t matter what weight or age you are. It doesn’t matter what outfit you wear, or whether you can stick your leg behind your head. Yoga is not so much about the poses or what we can do with our bodies, but more about just taking the time for ourselves. Yoga encourages self-awareness, and in that, a practice of finding self-acceptance and more comfort within yourself. We discover not only our limits, but also our strengths. We learn how to challenge our bodies and how to listen to and take care of our bodies. Your body is the teacher and there is no one right way, so be kind to yourself and celebrate what your body can do. Your body IS a yoga body!

Susan Turner, Yoga Connections

www.YogaConnections.ca

Restoring Balance to The Body & Mind

Thai foot massage is a treatment for the lower legs and feet that originated in Thailand about 2000 years ago. It incorporates stretching, massage, thumb-walking and the use of a wooden stick to stimulate the reflex points. You lie on a massage table, fully clothed with access to the legs and feet. The session lasts for approximately 90 minutes. Thai foot reflexology restores balance to the body/mind through the reflexes of the feet and lower legs that are linked to the body’s energy meridians. The Thai meridians all begin at the navel and end at the extremities and may be used to treat organ systems through which they pass along their course. Thai foot reflexology is an enjoyable holistic treatment and reported benefits include improved circulation in legs, improved lymphatic drainage, reduced stiffness, improved flexibility, relief from stress and more. Don’t be surprised if you fall asleep halfway through the session as it can be that relaxing.

Rositha Jeanson, Balance and Harmony

www.rositha.ca

Suffering from Skin Conditions?

Skin conditions are common and often challenging to improve completely. Often the first thing that comes to people’s mind is to use topical creams to make the skin rash, itch or pimple disappear.

All skin diseases have an underlying internal cause. Some of the internal organs are involved whether the skin condition is eczema, dermatitis, shingles, itching. skin rash, boils, pimple or acne rosacea. It is necessary to determine the underlying cause and address the skin condition with herbal medicine and lifestyle changes. Maintaining a proper diet is important. Many skin conditions are aggravated by alcohol, spicy foods, seafood and anything that can be stimulating or that may cause allergies should be avoided. Cotton or silk is recommended over synthetic fibers for better ventilation.

A long term treatment of herbal medicine is very effective. Over time it will strengthen one’s health to resolve the skin condition.

Dr. Brigitte Tetrault, Courtenay Healing Centre

www.courtenayhealing.ca