There are greater things to be achieved in every New Year, and each and everyone must prepare themselves to be great, not by words of the mouth, but by a lot of sacrifices. – Michael Bassey Johnson
Community News
AJ Pedal Wheelchair
Whether your mobility has been impacted by Parkinson’s, MS, a stroke, or knee or hip trouble, the AJ Pedal Wheelchair is designed to get you moving again. Like a bike, it’s powered by you – so you can reconnect with your body, rebuild muscle tone and improve your cardiovascular system. Designed to maneuver in tight spaces like narrow halls and doorways, the AJ rides easily into elevators, buildings and shopping centres. More robust than a wheelchair, the AJ allows you to pedal through parks, along sidewalks and even ride public transit. One-handed, dual hydraulic brakes allow you to stop quickly with just a gentle squeeze of the brake handle. The comfort-ride shock and pneumatic tires keep you comfortable and confidently in control. Each AJ is hand built in Victoria, BC, using the highest grade aluminum and other durable materials for a safe and sturdy ride.
Your Cool New Booze-Free Option
Taking a night off from drinking can now be a part of an exciting night out! Self-care can extend past sunset and socializing can boost your health and wellness game. When we consume beverages that are healthier for our body and mind, we feel more empowered and connected to our souls. We call this mindful consumption. Our Brü is soulfully curated for both flavour and functionality, creating a novel social experience. It’s time we remove outdated, stigmatized labels like alcoholic, recovery, disease and replace them with empowering words like alcohol-free, sober curious, and non-drinker, so people can feel proud about their accomplishment by choosing not to drink.
Help for Mask Anxiety
Face mask conversations seem to go one of two ways — a debate about why people should wear one or a debate about why they won’t wear one. But there is another stance that we might not be taking into consideration. For some people, the thought of wearing a mask can cause a great deal of stress or even panic. This is known as mask anxiety. Mask anxiety is a very real thing for people who have anxiety disorders, who suffer from trauma, or sensory processing. Simply wearing a mask is not as straightforward for everyone. If you could benefit from a mask-anxiety coaching session, please connect with me.
Using our Gifts to Better the World
‘Tis the season to give and receive, yet this holiday season will be like no other. Many are tired, overwhelmed, exhausted and anxious for this to end, while navigating a pandemic with many restrictions, limitations and emerging needs. How can we best use our own gifts and talents to serve and nurture our relationship with self, others, material things and our changing world instead of filling up with more “stuff”? We are being called to diligently examine and discern what is most important and in need of deep repair, healing, and loving while bringing in more ease, kindness, compassion and light moving forward into 2021.
Mental Health This Winter
Winter months can be difficult for those experiencing a mental health challenge or illness, especially during and following the holiday season. There are, however, a myriad of evidence-based ways to boost your physical and mental well-being. One important tool is vitamin D. Research clearly shows the benefits of this powerful vitamin for improving body and thereby brain health. Our bodies synthesize this nutrient through exposure to the sun. However, during reduced daylight months we are unable to get what we need from our solar source. If low mood persists, contact your healthcare provider or local CMHA for additional information and resources.
Supporting Mental Health
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a noticeable impact on the mental health of Canadians, and the federal government has taken some good initial steps towards addressing this with an economic recovery plan and the free Wellness Together Canada portal. However, about 1.6 million Canadians were living with unmet mental health needs before the COVID-19 pandemic. The Canadian Mental Health Association is working to expand and adapt its virtual services and supports countrywide, and is also calling on the federal government to take further action to support Canadians’ mental health needs. For more information, please visit:
Holidays After a Loved One has Passed
The first holiday season after losing a loved one can be a very difficult time. It is important to acknowledge that things are going to be different and the holidays will never be the same as they once were. But they needn’t be endured alone. Hold your memories of loved ones close and connect with other people during these cold winter days. There will be opportunities to make the holidays meaningful; be open to the change and accept it for what it is – a new opportunity to create stronger family bonds and traditions.
Online Gambling Support
When the weather grows cooler, rainier, and drearier, we tend to retreat into our homes and apartments. The coronavirus seems to be gaining ground as we have now been hit with the second wave of Covid-19. As Christmas, Hanukkah and other seasonal holidays grow closer, online gambling becomes an attractive companion for the internet-savvy. When people gamble out of boredom, loneliness, or the desire to make money, the risks of gambling beyond their financial or temporal boundaries increase. If you or someone you love is struggling, please go to https://bit.ly/3nxYiFV directly. A Gambling Outreach Support worker will contact you within 24 hours.
Choosing a Mental Health Practitioner
Mental health practitioners in BC range in knowledge, expertise and experience. When seeking assistance, this range of ability can make it difficult to understand a practitioner’s level of competence. This is why regulation of this profession is so important. To better protect the public, a proposal has been put forward to BC government to form a regulatory body of Counselling Therapists. This is similar to how other provinces have done it. Meanwhile, when looking for assistance, it is important to research the mental health professionals. Discuss their level of education, experience, certifications/registrations and to what associations and/or colleges they belong.
Winter Falls
‘Tis the season for freezing temperatures and slippery conditions that can lead to falls, falls that can result in serious injuries. In addition to obvious hazardous environmental conditions, the winter months bring with them unique characteristics and combinations of conditions that contribute to a higher risk of falling. Hypothermia, vitamin D deficiencies, and bringing winter risks indoors is among them. Work to help prevent winter falls by wearing foot wear that provides a good grip, dressing warmly – try layering your clothes, talk to your doctor about vitamin D supplements, and clean up any puddles from any weather you’ve tracked inside your home.
