Mindfulness can help you deal with life’s stresses E


ach day you face multiple de- mands, such as taking care of loved ones, mak-


ing financial decisions or developing priorities at work. Your body treats these demands as threats. How you respond to these demands will play a big part in your overall hap- piness and how long you live.


When you encounter a perceived threat – for ex- ample, a large dog barks at you during your morning walk, or you receive an up- setting text or email from a family member or friend — your hypothalamus, a tiny region at the base of your brain, sets off an alarm system in your body and releases hormones. The release of these hormones causes in- creased heart rate, elevated blood pres- sure and boosts your energy supplies. These hormones also increase sugars in the bloodstream and alter your immune system. This complex natural alarm sys- tem also communicates with regions of your brain that control mood, motiva- tion and fear.


Once a perceived threat has passed, hormone levels return to normal and your heart rate and blood pressure re- turn to baseline levels, and other sys- tems resume their regular activities. But when stressors are always present and you constantly feel under attack your body is never in a relaxed state. This prolonged activity can cause sev- eral chronic diseases such as anxiety, de- pression, heart disease, sleep disorders, weight gain, and memory impairment. Learning how to handle stressors that are present in your life is extremely im-


Janet Cranston Fit for Life


Discover your calm factor. Take a moment to catch your breath and regroup.


portant. Tapping into each moment in life and meeting it with calmness, to create a balance between strength and inner peace, will result in a happier you. Exercise and proper nutrition are a


must! If you are struggling to incorpo- rate both of these into your daily rou- tine, seek out help from professionals. Degreed, qualified, exercise specialists will help you increase physical activ- ity, reduce sedentary behaviour and improve your overall strength. A regis- tered dietitian will help get your diet on track and offer invaluable expertise that you can follow for life. The importance of both exercise and healthy eating can- not be emphasized enough. It is also very helpful to discover your calm factor. For some, this is listening


Thanksgiving


Wishing you a Happy


Scott Fielding MLA for Kirkfield Park scott@scottfielding.ca


to quiet music, enjoying a relaxing hot bath, or a sipping on a hot cup of tea. For others it is going for a walk (or run), attending a yoga class, or talking to a family member. When big changes happen in life – such as retirement, moving, caring for a sick or elderly family member, or deal- ing with a death – you may want to seek out a mindfulness program. Mind- fulness programs help pave the way by


encouraging you to confront rather than suppress your difficulties and offer coping methods. Mindfulness programs are also recommended for those with chronic stress, depression, anxiety, pain and sleep problems. Actively seek out and pay attention


to what triggers stress in your life and learn what calms your body. Janet Cranston is director of health and fitness, Reh-Fit Centre


204-944-1049 3723 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3K 2A8


Providing Programs and Services to individuals 55+ including:


• Fitness Classes • Educational Programs • Recreational Opportunities • Music Groups • And much more!


Meet new people, learn a new skill, stay healthy and active, and have fun!!


For more information,


visit our website at www.gnalc.ca, call 204-669-1710, or drop by at 720 Henderson Highway.


October 2017 www.lifestyles55.net 7


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