We know that a good diet and exercise will help keep us healthy but did you know that not getting enough sleep has a negative impact on your health? Short term problems include *Lack of alertness, *Impaired memory and ability to think, *Relationship stress and quality of life. Serious health issues related to insufficient sleep include, *Weight gain, *Increased risk of heart disease and stroke,* High Blood pressure, *Lack of sex drive. It is time to make sleep a priority. Let’s get sufficient sleep, starting tonight! Come in and discuss the various sleep products available to help you!

When someone has moderate hearing loss they will hear relatively well if you are talking to them face to face in a quiet environment. They will not hear well if you are walking away from them, in a different room, or if noise is present. People with hearing loss may be unaware of the extent of it: that’s where loved ones come in. Family members who have grown frustrated with them not being able to hear are the ones to prompt them to get a hearing test. Encourage them to have their hearing tested, you will be doing them and yourself a big favour in the long run.

Are your dentures not as comfortable as they were when you first got them? Maintaining regular checkups with your denturist is essential to keep your dentures in top shape. If your dentures become loose, they can cause irritation that can lead to sores and infection. When your dentures do not fit properly, they can chafe the gums, causing irritation. Tissue irritation can make your dentures so uncomfortable, it’s practically impossible to wear them because of the pain. Always practice good oral hygiene habits like removing your dentures every night and using a soft-bristled brush to brush your gums, tongue, cheeks, and the roof of your mouth.

Stress is a natural part of everyday life. But are you aware that stress is among the number one causes for all kinds of health concerns including sleep deprivation, changes in appetite, illness, anxiety, & depression? One of the greatest ways to combat these stress symptoms is to implement a self-care plan that is done regularly in your life. Self-care strategies are doing activities that you enjoy on a regular basis. Like when a flight attendant does the safety brief and asks you to put on your own oxygen mask first before helping others, it is important to ensure your own health and wellness is a priority.

Dental implants are highly effective in restoring the natural smile. Dentures are fit over implant anchors that have been placed by a qualified implant dentist. Advantages of dental implants include, *Better stability while eating *Less food seepage under the denture *Increased preservation of bone *Decreased gum tissue shrinkage. Dental implants are esthetically superior and feel much closer to that of your natural teeth. Dental implants have a long demonstrated rate of clinical success. Your denturist working with implant dentists uses the latest dental technology in order to give you the best and brightest smile.

Brain injury survivors have ‘brain fatigue’; feeling overloaded, overwhelmed and stressed to the breaking point. They can’t think, their brain feels foggy, lost, stuck or blocked. If you have a brain injury, balancing and pacing are key. The challenge is to find a new healthy balance. Everything is harder and takes longer. Avoid pushing too hard. Compensate by cutting back, simplifying and being kind and patient with yourself. Rehabilitation is a delicate balance between challenging yourself to promote healing but not so much to prevent discouraging setbacks. This will be one of the toughest challenges of your life. It gets easier in time.

It is important to remember to take special care of your vital ticker, every day: *Go for a walk and get your heart rate going and enhance your circulation. *Ditch the processed bad fats and eat heart-healthy fats like monounsaturated (olive and avocado) and omega-3s (fish and walnuts). *Eat more colourful fruits and vegetables including extra-beneficial berries and greens, for their strong antioxidants. *Take more deep breaths and manage stress better. *Drink sufficient water and include beneficial teas such as green, white, hawthorn, ginger, and ginseng. *Be kind to yourself and your loved ones!

Communicating effectively with someone experiencing hearing loss can be a challenge. Here are five tips to help: *Understand their level of loss and the unique set of challenges they face *Find a quiet place; create the best conditions for them to understand you *Say it a different way; choose uncomplicated words so it’s easier for them to understand *Make eye contact; Eye contact allows someone to read your expression for context *Get their attention; make sure they know you’re speaking. If you or a family member are concerned about hearing loss, be sure to schedule a hearing test today!

When someone is fearful of falling, they start to avoid everyday activities by staying at home and doing less. This lack of activity leads to loss of strength, reduced muscle tone, and loss of coordination and balance. This physical deterioration increases the risk of falling and if a fall does occur, it further heightens the fear. Turn your fear of falling into positive actions; remain active, exercise regularly, use assistive devices such as walkers or grab bars and wear sensible shoes. Consider joining a group session designed especially to teach balance exercises for fall prevention.