Staying Healthy This Cold/Flu Season
As temperatures dip in fall and winter, the risk of catching a cold or getting the flu increases. That’s why it’s important to practice a healthy lifestyle year-round and particularly during cold and flu season, which can last from November to April. Keeping your immune system healthy is a powerful defense to prevent and fight off sickness. Following these simple tips can help: Get plenty of sleep. Eat a healthy diet with lots of vegetables and fruits. Probiotics found in such foods as yogurt, aged cheeses, sauerkraut and miso have also been found to boost the immune system. Drink lots of fluids. Exercise regularly. Manage your stress in healthy ways and get your flu shot.
Community News
Ask The Expert
Q. What do I need to remember when travelling with hearing aids? A. Bring your charging station/cables. If you have rechargeable hearing aids, don’t forget your charging station! If they aren’t rechargeable – bring extra batteries! Don’t forget extra domes and wax guards. Being prepared with extras will ensure you can fix problems as they arise. Wipe, dry, repeat. Remember to clean your hearing aids every day while traveling. Sweat, moisture and wax buildup can keep your hearing aids from performing like they should. Get a check up. If you’re going on a long vacation, consider taking your hearing aids in for a quick tune-up and good ole fashion cleaning.
Laser Acupuncture for Smoking Cessation
If you’re trying to quit smoking once and for all, you’ve likely used a variety of products, from patches to gum to pills. The addictive qualities of cigarettes make smoking a tough habit to break, but there are safe and alternative measures you can take to remove this addiction from your life. Laser acupuncture is a non-invasive option that focuses on the three aspects of addiction: physical, using laser/electronic stimulation of acupressure points on your upper body; psychological, providing materials, tips, and one-on-one coaching; and detoxification, helping to eliminate cigarette toxins from your body.
The Mouth/Body Health Connection
Did you know that you cannot have good general health if you have poor oral health? Gum disease (periodontitis) is an infection of the gums that can have major impacts on your oral and overall health. The bacteria in your mouth can make its way into the bloodstream and begin to cause problems elsewhere in the body. Gum disease has been linked to lung disease, cardiovascular disease, and even to Alzheimer’s. Be sure to have regular checkups and brush your teeth and gums every day for a healthier mouth and body.
Prepare for Cold and Flu Season
Cold & Flu Season is here! Viruses are spread by sneezing, coughing and direct personal contact. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting the flu shot. Flu viruses strike in late fall and winter and cause fever, coughing, muscle aches, headache and fatigue. Health Canada recommends all Canadians get the annual flu vaccine to protect themselves and other around them. Seniors, young children and people with chronic health conditions are at the greatest risk of developing serious complications from the flu. Reduce your risk by washing your hands thoroughly & regularly, wiping down surfaces, staying active and getting plenty of sleep. Protect yourself and those around you – Get the flu shot. To find out more, speak to your Pharmacist today.
Words to Live By
“Add energy, inspire hope, and blow the coals into a useful flame…” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Book Club
What Grieving People Wish You Knew. By Nancy Guthrie. When someone is grieving we want to help but sometimes we stay away or stay silent, afraid that we will do or say something that will hurt instead of help. Drawing upon the input of hundreds of grieving people, as well as her own experience of grief, Nancy offers specifics on what to say and what not to say, and what to do and what to avoid. Tackling touchy topics like talking about heaven, navigating interactions on social media, this book will equip you to support those who are grieving with wisdom and love.
Book Review
The Hidden Messages in Water. By Dr. Masaru Emoto. This New York Times Best Seller, shows how thoughts, words and feelings have a positive impact on water and our personal health. Dr. Emoto discovered that not all frozen water looks the same. His research shows that water from clear springs and water that has been exposed to loving words or crystals shows brilliant, complex, and colorful snowflake patterns. In contrast, polluted water, or water exposed to negative thoughts, forms incomplete, asymmetrical patterns with dull colors. This research has the potential to profoundly transform not only your view, but world views about water we consume.
FALL for Someone Special
The leaves changing colour and the crispness in the air can only mean one thing. It’s fall! Those carefree summer days of soaking up the sun turn to days that are meant for curling up with that special someone and getting cozy indoors. It’s a great time to look for love if you’re single, as the distractions that often come with summer activities have come and gone. Instead, fall is the time to focus on finding a connection. Most people, however, are unsure where to find love. Reach out to a professional Matchmaker. With a long cold winter ahead, you will be thankful that you did.
Medication Review
Taking your medication properly is one of the most effective ways to manage chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol. Up to 25% of Canadians are admitted to the hospital annually because they don’t take their medications as prescribed. Schedule a Medication Review with your Pharmacist to discuss how to take your medications and for how long, understand if your medications are working properly, manage potential side effects and help you stay on track. Get the most from your medications with a Medication Review.
Prevent Osteoporosis with Strength-Training
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.
