Maintaining relationships and spending time with others is essential to our emotional and mental well-being. It can help prevent depression which affects 20 percent of the population over 70 years of age. Socializing also keeps the mind active and improvements are greater when the person is involved in fun interests with other people. Plan regular get-togethers with friends, such as a weekly lunch date or coffee with another senior or loved one. Scheduling social interactions give us something to look forward to on a regular basis. For those who are truly adventurous you can enjoy new experiences and meet new people by signing up for travel tours, book clubs, and much more at your local community centre.
Community News
Medication Safety Week
April 1–7, 2024, is Medication Safety Week. It promotes safe and responsible medication use and is a reminder to follow your doctor’s instructions when taking prescribed medications. Following directions carefully can lower your risk of serious side effects and potential dangers such as interactions with other drugs or incorrect dosages. It is important to take the correct dosage at the right intervals and to finish the medication that is prescribed. Using a blister pack, available from your pharmacy, can help keep medications organized and ensure that they are taken on the correct day and time.
Search for Meaning
Depression and anxiety are experiences for many individuals. These conditions can create challenges that feel overwhelming and insurmountable at times. One way to approach this is through existential approaches to counselling. In Victor Frankl’s book Man’s Search for Meaning, he writes how we can fill our lives with meaning by incorporating three main pillars: 1) the freedom to will—choosing your own path to follow; 2) the will to meaning—finding what is personally meaningful; and 3) the meaning to life—one’s personal meaning brought forward by the work or deed and their connection to others.
Balance your Body’s Hormones
The endocrine system of the body contains many glands. These include the pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, and reproductive glands. All the endocrine glands produce hormones that direct the metabolic functions of the body. We absorb stress from the world into our endocrine system. This stress can create a hormone imbalance that can sometimes mimic a nervous breakdown and contribute to chronic fatigue. An endocrine massage helps cleanse the endocrine system and balance the body’s hormones using Young Living essential oils and crystals. It helps to realign the energy centres of the body. Book your massage today!
Theatre: All In the Timing
This production consists of witty, absurd, and funny sketches written by David Ives. Each story is engaging and intelligent. Using small bites of pure humanity, Ives is a master at recognizing our foibles and presenting them on a silver platter for our pleasure. From construction workers perched on a skyscraper in Mere Mortals to a laboratory with precocious primates in Words, Words, Words, All in the Timing takes the audience on a multi-levelled dive into humour and intellect. Adult language is to be expected in one or two of the sketches because Ives writes as we speak, with frustration, kindness, curiosity, and joy.
Plant New Beliefs for a Joyful Life
April is here! Are you ready for some spring cleaning? Spring is a good time to clean out those beliefs that no longer serve you and to plant joyful intentions! Your intentions should be positive, uplifting, and in the present tense. When you state your intentions, do so in a positive tone. Avoid using any negative words. Intentions are what you want, not what you do not want. Are you ready to plant joyful intentions for your life? If you are not yet ready, book a Realigning Beliefs or Body Code session to release those negative beliefs and get joy back in your life.
Elderdog – Help for Senior Dog Owners
If you are a senior (55+) dog owner who has trouble taking care of your dog, Elderdog can help. They will help care for your dog so that you can keep love in your home. Elderdog’s volunteers provide free assistance to older dog owners living in Nanaimo, Oceanside and Ladysmith. Their many services include dog walking, transportation to vet appointments and food delivery. If an owner is unable to temporarily care for their dog due to hospitalization or surgery, Elderdog provides foster care in a pre-approved home. To find out more, arrange services or volunteer, visit their website.
Exercises Simplified
How are your New Year’s resolutions going? It isn’t a surprise if you started strong and have been falling apart as time passes. Many make the resolution to get “healthy” and then get overwhelmed by the many areas that need to be addressed to “become healthy.” Exercise is one such area, so let’s simplify it. Move in whatever way you enjoy and will be able to do frequently. That is it. Movements that involve weight-bearing and elevating your heart rate are ideal, but consistency is the most important. Exercise could include gardening, cleaning the house, and doing at-home exercises.
Prepare for Unexpected Events
Life is full of surprises and unexpected events. When it comes to our families, we want them to be secure and protected. Living benefits can protect your financial situation in the event of a loss of income. Living benefits are insurance products that provide financial support to the insured in case of an unexpected illness or disability. The products include long-term care benefits, critical illness insurance, whole-life insurance, and loss of income due to injury or illness. Mary Ann educates her clients and families about the importance of saving and protection against financial loss. Contact her to learn about your options.
Experience Healing and Stress Relief
Feeling stressed or tired? The Energy Enhancement System (EESystemTM) can help. It generates life-enhancing energy fields that can promote healing. The possible health benefits include improved immune function, pain and stress relief, detoxification of the body, elevated moods and increased energy levels. It combines body, mind, spirit and science to help you achieve peak performance and reach higher states of health, consciousness and self-actualization. The future is here. Experience the EESystemTM while relaxing in a recliner, where your body will reach a meditative state.
Time to Get Out and Socialize
Spring is here, and there is a feeling of hopefulness and renewal in the air. Winter tends to see us more in solitude. Once it warms up and the days are longer, we tend to want to spend more time outdoors and with friends. These activities are good for our health. Fresh air and sunshine can do wonders for our physical and mental health, and socializing helps with our mental and emotional health. Once we start, we tend to want to do more healthy things, so get out and go for a walk with a friend, socialize, and engage—you’ll feel better about it!
