6 strategies to help you cope with stress

 It is officially November, daylight savings is almost upon us, winter is approaching, university students are in the throws of midterm exams, the holidays are in sight, and stress levels are high. Finances, holiday pressure, studying, work, and seasonal mood effects are regular occurrences we all face at this time of

Eating well is a journey not a destination

 What I have learned so far in my journey with food and nutrition is that we all have a different relationship with food. With all the information circulating on social media today, good healthy nutrition is often seen as an objective, that once achieved will bring long-lasting health benefits. There

Beating pandemic induced insomnia

 Insomnia is the inability to get to sleep or to stay asleep. This can often be caused by stress or anxiety, so it is no surprise that more people than ever before are suffering from it during the Coronavirus pandemic. Here are five top tips to help you beat pandemic

4 alternative therapies to help you beat stress

 Dealing with stress is so important if you want to stay healthy. Excess stress can have a huge impact on your mental health and lead to issues, like anxiety and depression, and it also harms your physical health as well. People that are stressed all of the time have a

Breathing exercises to improve mental wellbeing

 Whether we are anxious or relaxed, our breathing reflects these emotions in the nervous system. Thankfully, we can change our nervous system and emotions by becoming aware of and modifying our breath through breathing exercises. Breathing exercises can promote relaxation, help reduce pain, and improve mental wellbeing. Abdominal breathing, also

Coping with stress & anxiety when times get tough

 As if modern society wasn’t challenging enough for those people out there that suffer from stress and anxiety problems, 2020 went and threw in a massive curveball, and now things are more difficult than ever for those who have to deal with these things. Now, while you may have been

Natural ways to help your anxiety

 There are more people who are suffering from anxiety every year. Currently, it is estimated that 40 million people in America suffer from anxiety disorders. And more than this, it is estimated that only 36% of those who are undergoing treatment.  When you read that it isn’t surprising that people

Mental health in Ottawa: Know the facts

 Mental health is a crucial component of overall health. Mental disorders constitute various behaviors associated with impaired functioning and stress. People of all races, ages, and social backgrounds can suffer from mental illness. In Ottawa, many people suffer from mental health challenges, even though 72% of them perceive themselves to

The Other Side of Reason – Book of dreams

 Since 2013, recognized author and community leader for mental health, David Gibson, has battled the inner world of PTSD to find some measure of hope within. He uses his writing to explore how his journey as a survivor has enabled him to come to terms with PTSD and the new reality

The Other Side of Reason – Time shift

 Since 2013, recognized author and community leader for mental health, David Gibson, has battled the inner world of PTSD to find some measure of hope within. He uses his writing to explore how his journey as a survivor has enabled him to come to terms with PTSD and the new reality

A Functional Medicine Approach To Addressing Anxiety

 Anxiety can significantly impact your quality of life. While the conventional medicine approach focuses on balancing neurotransmitters in the brain, a Functional Medicine approach is to look for the root cause. Functional medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that looks teaches healthcare practitioners including medical doctors to look for and

The Other Side of Reason: An OC Transpo crash survivor’s struggle with PTSD

 I used to think about work, or if we needed groceries… Now, my steps are less assured, almost hesitant. I think about my family farewells, hugs and kisses — did I remember to say I love you? With every step, a painful memory of what was in time a bright

Why You Need Professional Help When Trying to Fight a Traffic Ticket

 There are a variety of mishaps that can happen when a person is behind the wheel. One of the most common things that drivers have to deal with are traffic tickets. If you receive a traffic ticket and feel that you are not guilty, hiring experienced traffic ticket defenders can

Thriving in a 24-7 World

 We all know what it’s like to live in a 24-7 world. The portability of our cellphones and laptops allow us to communicate at any time, anywhere. What we aren’t taught is how to handle this constant pressure technology puts on us when we are demanded to stay constantly up

Staying Active Over the Holidays

 As the holiday season arrives, schedules can fill up with parties, dinners, shopping, and vacations. Although this is an exciting time of year, it can be stressful. When our calendars get overwhelming, in order to meet holiday demands, one of the first things people often reduce is exercise. Also, as

Acupuncture to Enhance Anti-depressant Medication: Feel Better Faster

 Depression and chronic low mood are very prevalent conditions affecting Canadians. Those diagnosed with mild to moderate forms of depression can have success with natural interventions if they are started early with good adherence to treatment. But not all cases are the same, and those diagnosed with more serious and chronic

Needles for Anti-Aging and Beauty

 Photo courtesy of Dollar Photo Club With age, many women want a more youthful appearance. You might be thinking, I'm seeking beauty and anti-aging, and you want to stick needles in my face? It might sound like a new concept, but Asian medicine has been using acupuncture for centuries to

We Have Built a Sickness Care System Rather Than A Health System

 We have designed that system for the convenience of practitioners, not patients: Convocation speech delivered to graduating MDs at the University of Manitoba on the receipt of an honorary doctorate. Mr. Chancellor, Mr. President, distinguished guests, soon-to-be MDs and their deeply indebted family members. I’m touched and humbled to receive an

Respecting Hormonal Balance

 Hormone balance. It seems like a simple concept, but we need to respect that these tiny chemical messengers are anything but simple. Our body has dozens of hormones, all of which play a very important part of our normal daily functioning. They engage in complex interactions with each other to

Bring on the Needles for Stress Management

 When it comes to finding the balance between work, home, family and personal obligations, feeling overwhelmed, stressed and anxious is unfortunately common. So much to do, so little time! While some stress is a normal part of a life, in excess it can impair productivity and, more importantly, affect our

The Beauty of Vitamin C

 I recently discovered Nip/Tuck on Netflix! Aside from the very dramatic life stories of two plastic surgeons, I found myself fascinated by the insane amount of cosmetic surgery depicted in each episode. Women over 40 requesting facelifts for a more youthful appearance made sense: cosmetic plastic surgery can reduce signs

Why is My Stomach so Bloated and Painful?

 Bridgette, 35, is an architect, single mum and had a busy an active professional and personal life.  Some two years ago she had caught MONO and had to receive a large dose of antibiotics, which had thankfully put her symptoms into remission. Two months later she noticed some unusual digestive

Calling All Superheroes!

 Are you a geek? Well, it’s time to celebrate! The Ottawa Geek Market is back at the Nepean Sportsplex to celebrate all things superheroes and gaming from March 27 to 29. Imagine 40,000 square feet of shopping, games and superhero-themed activities! Is there anything else you would rather be a

The signs and symptoms of burnout and what you can do about it

 By Jilla Kahrobaei, BSc ND It happens. And it happens to almost everyone exposed to stress. You wake up one morning and find yourself utterly exhausted. You feel like you have been hit by a truck and every movement is accompanied by stiffness, heaviness and pain. You have no interest

Heartburn: is medication your right option?

 Paul is a policy analyst working for the Government of Canada in Ottawa. With recent cut backs in his department his work load has been significantly higher over the last two years. About six months ago he began to notice what he described as heartburn. At first it was mild