Physical activity plays an important role in your health and quality of life by making you feel healthier and stronger. Being active helps to improve your balance, reduce your risk of falls and injuries, and can help you stay independent longer. So take the initiative! It’s never too late to start and you don’t need to go to a gym to add a little exercise to your routine; consult your doctor and ask to learn more about exercises that can be done while sitting in your chair!

Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time. Small doses of anxiety in certain situations are useful. The sensation we experience in an anxious situation feels uncomfortable, but it is temporary and will eventually decrease. It is designed to alert and activate us. Anxiety is part of life so help your anxious child or teen develop the confidence and skill to tolerate anxiety whenever it occurs. However, when your child is worrying much of the time, avoiding fun activities, or refusing to go to school because they are scared or worried, anxiety has become a problem. Help is available.

Do we need sunscreen when it is cloudy? When it is sunny outside, we tend to be good at slathering on the sunscreen, but did you know that up to 40 percent of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation reaches the earth on a completely cloudy day? Using sunscreen everyday protects us from harmful radiation from the sun and reduces our risk for skin cancer, premature aging and sunburns. Today, there are many organic sunscreen options available. Your local health store can help you find one with organic ingredients, that is well-rated by the Environmental Working Group and that provides broad spectrum protection.

Digital eyestrain includes headaches, blurred vision, irritation, excessive tearing or dry eyes. As we spend more time using computers and hand-held devices, many of us find that our eyes are suffering. Having even small, uncorrected nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, presbyopia or eye-muscle alignments can affect how comfortably you can work on a computer screen or device. Certain anti-glare coatings help with discomfort by reducing transmission of harmful artificial blue light that is emitted by newer computer screens, devices, tablets and lighting. Use the 20-20-20 rule; every 20 minutes, take a break for 20 seconds and look at something at least 20 feet away.

For many seniors, living alone may directly affect how often they engage in social activities. Social interactions often decrease as we age for a variety of reasons, which is why it is important to be involved in Social Activities as often as possible. The more active you are, the better you will feel in many ways (particularly physically and mentally). If you are finding yourself lonely, while living on your own, you may want to connect with others by joining groups; such as, volunteering with organizations including a local senior centre. Another solution is to consider moving to a seniors’ residence which is ideally suited to create many opportunities for social interaction and fun on a daily basis.

Many people believe that dentures last forever but the reality is that they need to be serviced regularily and replaced about every five years. Wearing the same dentures for more than five years without having them checked can result in; softening of the gums, painful and irritated gums, accelerated bone loss, more laborious chewing and difficult digestion and a crumpled mouth. It can also lead to headaches, ear aches, neck pain and joint problems as well as a whole host of other issues. Regular consultation with your denturist to have your dentures checked and cleaned may prevent problems in the future.

Plasma skin tightening is the revolutionary cosmetic treatment taking the world by storm! As we get older, our skin starts to lose elasticity and texture, leading to wrinkles and loose skin around the delicate eye area. Plasma skin tightening is a non-surgical blepharoplasty procedure that instantly removes excess skin volume and tightens your skin, giving you a more youthful appearance. This procedure is especially effective for eyelid lifting.

If you have problems with your feet, you are reminded of your foot pain with every step. The foot is the foundation of the body, so pain at the ankle, knee, hip and lower back may be foot related. Foot disorders are among the most widespread and neglected health problems affecting people in BC. If you are living with diabetes, foot problems is one of the leading causes for hospitalization. Podiatrists specialize in diagnosing, treating and preventing foot and ankle-related pain. Their extensive experience can often provide relief from pain on the first visit.

A good night’s sleep is essential for feeling refreshed and re-energized. Not only will it boost your mood and leave you looking fresher, getting enough quality zee’s helps reset your body and its organs. Adequate sleep is a key component to a healthy lifestyle and benefits your weight, heart, mind and memory and so much more! A regular sleep schedule helps your immune system to quell inflammation and disease and also regulates hormones. If you are having trouble falling or staying asleep, and have already nixed the afternoon caffeine and shut off the pre-bedtime screens, come in for some natural herbal advice.

Riding a bicycle has many health benefits. Getting outside, taking deep breaths of fresh air and feeling the rhythm of your legs are all so good for you. Bicycling on a regular basis has been shown to improve heart health, muscle and bone strength, joint flexibility and reduce stress. An electric bike makes all of these benefits more accessible. The power assistance eliminates stress on your knees and hips and allows you to use as much of your own energy as you like. Hills become easy-peasy and barriers to riding disappear. You get more exercise because it’s so much fun you’ll want to ride it everywhere.