"The only real education comes from what goes counter to you."

Andre Gide

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May 2007

Contents

1. Balance
2. Fitness Corner
3. Creating Wellness for Life – Work Your Plan
4. Health News
5. Office Happenings

Balance

Here is a concept that immediately brings thoughts and emotions to the surface - balance. It’s something we all strive for at some level. We would like a little equilibrium between home, work, family, service and self. We would like the “wheel of life” to be relatively round rather than flat on one side. Is it a worthy goal? Absolutely. Realistic? Achievable? Possible? In the long term, I think the answer is yes. Let’s look at some tools we can use to lead a more balanced life.

Balance is a term that is very important in chiropractic. Essentially my goal as a chiropractor is to achieve balance between your spine and nervous system. When that balance is in place, the messages that run us and give us life flow from our brain to our body and back clearly. When that relationship is out of balance, tension is placed on the nervous system. This throws the timing of our entire being off and we are not the best we could be. Having a healthier spine and nervous system is a foundational piece of working towards balance.

Balance is an integral part of the Creating Wellness system that we have in the office. Its focus is to address the three dimensions of stress that make up our lives – physical, emotional and bio-chemical. Rather than focus on just weight loss, it looks at the whole person and their lifestyle. With this aim, it’s a wonderful tool to create the healthy, vital life we desire.

The biggest challenge to achieving balance in our lives is keeping it. I have read that when the space shuttle is in orbit around the earth, it’s off course 97% of the time! In other words, only 3% of the time is it where it is supposed to be. This example has much to teach about balance. Although technically being off course most of the time, the astronauts get the job done because they are always striving to get to their goal. Approach the quest for balance in your life the same way. Work on it, strive for it and you may only find it occasionally. But you will in the end fulfill your mission.

Fitness Corner

Here is another tool to achieve balance in your life. Subscribe to Scott McDermott's free monthly newsletter to receive the latest information on health fitness issues. Scott speaks from experience, as he is a gym owner and Ironman distance triathlete. He will be participating in the Vancouver Marathon this weekend. Send an email to mybestbody@shaw.ca to get the latest. Good luck Scott!

Creating Wellness for Life

By Carol Simpson
Your Wellness Coach

Work Your Plan

Wikipedia defines the term ‘planning’ as the psychological process of thinking about the activities required to create a desired future on some scale. If this is what we need to do to get what we want and desire then the question begging to be asked is why then do so many of us not do it? Even those that do plan on a pretty consistent basis can have moments of complacency and will experience some hard life lessons along the way.

Do we not plan because of lack of fore thought? We don’t think we have time to plan? Maybe we truly don’t understand the importance of the task? Whatever the case may be, there are some tips that you can follow that will help plot your way towards achieving the lifestyle that you seek.

*Decide – what is it exactly that you want to do?
*Visualize – think of what you want to do and think of the steps that you need to do to get you there.
*Timing – plan a time that you will do your task by and when you need to be ready by.
*Prepare – As your plan unfolds you will have a better understanding of the types of things you will need to do to execute the plan. Doing research, purchase necessary items and/or talking to a coach or mentor will all help set you up to succeed.
*Get Mental – Nothing is as important as getting your thoughts and emotions on board with your plan.

The days and weeks can easily get away on us if we just try to ‘figure it out’ as we go along. The best laid plans are the ones that are well thought out but are adaptable to what life throws at you. Now think it, plan it, work it!

“Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.” Alan Lakein

Health News

Favoured sleeping positions painful, poll finds

“A new survey suggests that our favorite positions in bed may be causing headaches, tendon strain and sleepless nights.” This article goes through the different sleeping positions and how they may be damaging to your spine and your health. It also stresses the importance of the age of your mattress. More:
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070501/sleep_position_070501/20070501?hub=TopStories

I agree with the most recommended sleep position (Tummy Tuck with a pillow between the knees). It is important that your pillow is thick enough while in this position to keep your neck in line with the rest of your spine. Another critical point made by the article is that improper sleeping posture can be as or more damaging than sitting for hours improperly at a computer.

Safety warnings issued about backyard trampolines

I have seen plenty of kids and people who thought they were kids come into the office after having an adventure with a trampoline. When used properly, trampolines can be a good form of exercise. This article provides some tips and guidelines to make it a safer summer for being on the trampoline. More:
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070430/trampoline_safety_070430/20070430?hub=Health

Office Happenings

1. Lunch N Learn. Do you need a speaker for your work, service group or organization? I offer a number of health-related talks that fit nicely into a lunch hour. The most popular one is The 3 Secrets to Wellness. For more information, contact Jan at 340-0278 or jan@docstacy.com. 

2. Office Hours. Here are our office hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:00 to 12:30 and 2:00 to 5:30, Tuesday 8:00 to 12:30 and Thursday 1:00 to 7:30 pm. 

3. Scan Month. Due to the great response we had, we are extending our Scan Month offer until May 18. We have updated our scanning technology in the office and we would like our existing patients to experience it. For a $25 donation to Red Deer Search and Rescue (normally a $50 charge), you can find out your NeuroSpinal Functional Index number. This number gives you a greater sense of the health of your overall spine and nervous system. Call Jan at 340-0278 or 
jan@docstacy.com to book or for more details.

4. Wellness Orientation Workshops (W.O.W.’s). Would you like to take your health to the next level? Join us for one of our W.O.W.’s in May and get the most out of your life and your health. They are Wednesday May 9 and Monday May 28. They start at 5:30 p.m. and are held in the office. Family members, friends, and visitors are more than welcome.

5. Office Closings. We will be closed Monday May 21 for Victoria Day. Safely enjoy your long weekend.