Proactively manage your stress. Don't spend your time wishing it away.

Proactively manage your stress. Don't spend your time wishing it away.

Don't just wish for less stress - aim to improve how you manage it so you can do more and be more to those who need you the most... In honour of preventative health month I wanted to share with you 3 things I find incredibly useful when it comes to improving your life experience, happiness and day to day routine. Here I share part of my story during a time in my life when there were a lot of unknowns... right when our son was born back in October of 2019.  It was at that time I was managing

Grief Share

Overcoming the Overwhelming

At some point in nearly every person’s life, they will be faced with the loss of a loved one.  If we’re lucky, losing a parent, spouse or significant other will come at the end of a long life filled with many happy memories and close relationships.  But, some people experience loss suddenly without time to prepare, or in rapid succession that can be overwhelming.  Losing more than one person in a short period of time can take a toll on the life of the bereaved in many ways, but recent research h

Preventing vision-related falls in seniors

As we mature, so do our eyes.  Aging eyes can mean decreased sharpness, difficulty distinguishing shades, problems with glare, problems moving light to dark, depth perception difficulty, out of focus vision or peripheral vision loss.  Any one of these changes can increase the risk of falls.  Our balance, our reaction time, our ability to focus can all be affected.  Diseases such as macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, stroke, nerve palsies, dry eye, ocular inflammatio

The eyes are the window to the body

The Eyes are the window to the rest of the body Did you know that the eyes are the only place you can see the vascular circulation system directly without breaking skin?  Also did you know that the eyes are the input to the brain and an extension of the nervous system.   Eye doctors will often see patients experiencing a vision episode, flashing lights or spinning fans or prism like episodes suddenly lasting a few minutes.  These episodes prompt a visit to the optometrist since they are “seein

The eyes and lymphatics

Ever wonder why you get swelling under eyes? Certainly collagen loss with too many birthdays can create less tone to our skin causing lid lag.  Supplementing with collagen can sometimes help.  Your skin needs nutrition too. BUT what if lower lid swelling happens and comes and goes.  Have you considered periorbital edema from lymphatic block?  The lymph removes toxins and if they it is blocked you can get stagnant pooling around the eyes.   Having your optometrist assess your eye health is criti

Nutrition and eye health

Much like the rest of the organs and the body, when you fuel your body with good nutrition your eyes will stay healthier too! Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss over 60yo and February is AMD awareness month.  There are many things we can do to slow the onset of AMD.  Don't smoke, protect your eyes from ultraviolet, supplement with omega3s and maintain a diet rich in carotenoids.  Foods for eye health include antioxidants such as lutein and beta carotene.  Some foods high i

HOW PHYSIOTHERAPY HELPS IN POSTPARTUM WOMEN

Dealing with pelvic health issues after having a baby is common and left  untreated can lead to decreased physical and mental health, isolation and  depression. Many women do not return to the activities they once enjoyed  due to fear of embarrassment. What is the pelvic floor? The pelvic floor muscles are a group of muscles that attach to the front, back  and sides of the pelvic bone and sacrum, which act like a hammock or sling.  They also wrap around your urethra (where urine comes out), re

Social Isolation

For single and married adults alike, social isolation and loneliness can have a detrimental effect on heart and brain health.  The risk of social isolation increases with age when older adults are more likely to experience the loss of a life partner or less social engagement due to working from home or retirement. People who are isolated or feel lonely may be less likely to stay physically active, be more sedentary and consume fewer fruits and vegetables.   Studies have found a link between is

Making New Friends and Showing Up

Parents hope their children will find friends that will enrich their lives, and offer companionship, comfort and many fun memories.  But with each life transition, children and adults alike may have to seek out new friendships following a move, a change in circumstances, or as some relationships end.  Older adults who have had a core social group for many years may lose friends to time or distance, and find it challenging to make new connections – awkward as it may be, it helps to know that othe

Nourish Your Relationships- Nourish Your Soul

There is no doubt that managing our stress, moving our bodies, fueling them with nutritious food and getting enough sleep are mission critical in the realm of preventative health.   But today I want to add one more thing to the mix, and that is healthy connections.  According to the American Psychological Association, it’s long been known that “relationships have the power to influence physical and mental health, for better or worse”. It’s the type of thing we know in our hearts to be true.  W

Top 5 things to know about nutrition in perimenopause

You're 40+ and what used to work isn't working anymore. You feel tired, bloated, your blood pressure, cholesterol and weight are creeping up. You're down a rabbit hole or lost in the weeds with conflicting information on what to eat. Let's cut to the chase – what do you need to know about nutrition to feel better and reduce your risks during perimenopause and beyond? 1.Lean protein matters. The World Health Organization’s global recommendations for protein intake for a sedentary adult is 0.8 g

MENOPAUSE INCONTINENCE: URINARY AND FECAL

People that experience pelvic health issues such as incontinence often avoid  exercise and physical activities that may cause embarrassment. Incontinence  is a common problem and left untreated can lead to further health issues,  isolation, depression and immobility. WHAT IS INCONTINENCE? Incontinence is the involuntary loss of bladder  or bowel control. There are different types: 1. Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI):Involuntary loss of urine secondary  to an increase in intra-abdominal pressu

Can Stress Affect my Pain?

Can work stress affect the healing of a knee injury? Does losing a loved one make me more likely to have chronic pain? When we have an injury, pain is a good thing. Yes, you heard that correctly! Pain is a response that allows us to avoid real or potential damage to our bodies. Without the perception of pain, we would have no idea what could be dangerous and damaging. Stress, in a perfect world, is also a healthy adaptation that allows for alertness and optimal physical and mental function,

Spotify Dementia Playlists Spark Joy and Calm

A carefully curated music playlist can lift mood, provide motivation during a hard workout, or calm a racing mind.   Recent research has also found that music is often closely tied to memory and people living with dementia can benefit from the reminiscence therapy that familiar music can provide.   A UK-based later life care team has created two playlists of hit songs dating back to the 1930s that help people with dementia enjoy a nostalgic musical journey. According to a recent New York Post H