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Mind

5 Pillars of Mindful Living

In these chaotic times it’s natural to seek a sense of calm. Learning to stay more in the present moment can help. Living in the pandemic era, we appear to be surrounded by constant change and uncertainty. It is natural to crave calm and to seek ease amid the chaos. We want to feel more grounded. Practicing mindfulness is an approach we can all adopt. It is free and accessible at any time. It is also a long-term strategy that helps build resilience to life’s ups and downs. According to research by the American Psychological Association, there are many health benefits to incorporating mindfulness in your daily activities. These include reduced stress and anxiety, improved empathy towards others and oneself; more acceptance, kindness and compassion; and improved self-control, concentration and mental clarity. Now who wouldn’t want to enjoy these benefits simply by being more aware while experiencing the everyday activities

Doris Ward November 16, 2020

Health

A natural approach to chronic pain

Chronic pain can have many underlying factors. A natural approach can improve quality of life by reducing its causes and symptoms. DO you have pain that just won’t go away? If you suffer from an old injury, an autoimmune condition such as rheumatoid arthritis or reccurring migraines, you know that persistent pain can signifi- cantly impact many aspects of life. In a word, it can take away the fun. he question to ask: Why do you have chronic pain? Food sensitivities, stress, poor diet and lifestyle choices, and environmental exposures or sensitivities may all contribute to the underlying reason for pain. Ongoing pain often requires thorough investigation and a comprehensive treatment plan. By decreasing pain, natural therapies can help you revive the joy of living. Acupuncture: The ancient Chinese solution Acupuncture is used to treat many conditions. According to a recent survey published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine in the US, the most common

Dr. Theresa Jahn November 6, 2020

Longevity

Achieving flow state

You have been practicing the instrument for a while now. At first, your fingers were clumsy and the right sound appeared only occasionally. Now, after months of practice, you are feeling the groove. You look forward to playing. Then today, something was different. The music just came. An hour flew by and your fingers seemed to have a life of their own. You have been taking ballroom dancing lessons. Tonight there is an informal competition to let couples show their stuff. Eyes follow as you glide around the room. Just a few months ago this would’ve been unthinkable. Now it is fun. You are comfortable putting on a show. You are kayaking on the ocean. There is a light breeze and a slight swell. You can travel for miles this way. You are alert to the changing winds and the tide but the boat seems to move itself. You watch the

David Holt September 21, 2020

Longevity

Touch Deprivation: The Why Behind Your Unexplained Sadness

The skin is the largest organ in the body. It has millions of touch receptors that send signals to the brain each time you touch something or somebody or they touch you. This exchange of information, especially when it involves another human, is accompanied by a neurochemical reaction within the body. Unfortunately, there is also a different neurochemical reaction that takes place in the absence of touch. It’s an understatement to say that we like human connection, the truth is that we need it. As much as we need human touch, it’s the one thing we all seem to be lacking. Between the initial stay-at-home orders and now the social distancing, most people are feeling the effects of touch deprivation. Some people have even expressed a sense of jealousy when seeing people touch in movies or on television shows. That’s because touch is so vital to our ability to thrive.

Judy Gaman August 27, 2020

Mind

5 ways to boost your self-confidence

Building self-confidence takes time and effort but when we do it helps us achieve our dreams. It’s no surprise that self-confidence is crucial to succeeding in every sphere of life. People often try unsuccessfully to boost confidence through various psychological methods, not realizing there are simple remedies to build self-worth. Self-doubt is common but not useful. Building self-confidence takes time and effort but when we do it helps us achieve our dreams. A Guide on how to build self confidence Aromatherapy Essential oils have been used for decades to calm the body and the mind. To feel inspired, try using rosemary oil. It makes you feel invigorated and acts as a nourishment for your soul. When you are relaxed and calm, you feel more in control of your emotions and actions. Consequently, your self-confidence gets a leg-up. Aromatherapy is known to take your mind to a place where you could

Erika Long June 18, 2020

Fitness

Yoga and chronic pain

Gentle movement, breathing techniques and meditation allow us to work with pain and create habits to improve our wellbeing on both good days and bad. This article is not about how you can heal your pain through yoga. I think one of the worst things we can tell people with chronic pain is, “I have the solution—I can fix you,” because you’ve heard it a million times. You’ve probably tried a million different things, too. Recommendations about diet, exercise, doctors and clinics. “My friend’s brother said this,” etc. What I can share with you is a tool you can use to help deal with pain. Gentle movement patterns for the good days to keep the blood flowing and your joints moving and mindfulness techniques for when the pain takes over and it seems to be all you can think about. Chronic pain, no matter where it is experienced, is debilitating.

Lisa Greenbaum June 3, 2020

Health

How to keep inflammation at bay

Don’t let joint discomfort compromise your exercise routine, which is one of the best ways to prevent chronic medical conditions. THE amount of research demonstrating the benefits of physical activity to body and mind is staggering. Recently, a team of experts in movement science referred to physical activity as a “super-drug” for the prevention and treatment of chronic medical conditions. Who could argue this truth? I see it every day in my transformational consulting practice. The story of chronic, low-grade inflammation is a story of the immune system, as well as the physical and nutrition elements, and all three are connected. Sedentary behaviour and unhealthy dietary choices can ratchet up low-grade inflammation, including the production of pain-promoting and mood-compromising immune chemicals called cytokines. In my new book, Your Health Destiny (HarperOne, 2015), I underscore that just the right amount and type of exercise is critical to healthy immune system functioning. Dietary

Dr. Eva M. Selhub May 1, 2020

Health

The hidden burden of high blood pressure

AN alarming one in three adults has high blood pressure, reports the Harvard Health Beat newsletter. Known medically as hypertension, many people don’t even know they have it because it has no symptoms or warning signs. But when elevated blood pressure is accompanied by abnormal cholesterol and blood sugar levels, the damage to your arteries, kidneys, and heart accelerates. Fortunately, high blood pressure is easy to detect and treat. Sometimes people can keep blood pressure in a healthy range simply by making lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, increasing activity and eating more healthfully. While it silently damages blood vessels, the heart and other organs, it isn’t a disease but a sign that something is wrong in the body. In some people, the culprit is a narrow- ing of the arteries supplying the kidneys, an overactive thyroid gland or adrenal glands. When these are treated, blood pressure drops. More often, though, doctors

Alex Hurst April 9, 2020

Mind

10 Ways to fight the winter blues

Over the Christmas holidays and into New Years, the fresh snow and cooler air can be exhilarating…and then January kicks in, followed by February and March. In some parts of Northern Canada, winter lingers into late May and early June. Cold days and long nights. It can all be a bit overwhelming. So! We put together a list of 10 things you can do to fight the winter blues! 10 Ways to fight the winter blues Eat foods with warm spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, turmeric, cumin. All great spices that can be used in a variety of recipes, like roasted butternut squash with a bit of cinnamon and nutmeg….mmmm! Try something new: Always wanted to try indoor climbing? Do it! What have you always wanted to try but haven’t? Now’s the time! Get frisky! Grab your spouse or partner and get cozy under the sheets! It’s called the afterglow from sex

Alex Hurst February 8, 2020