As the new year begins, the Wellness team would like to reflect on some highlights from December and the Holiday season: December was filled with music and treats as we enjoyed holiday festivities throughout the month. Our musical variety included Celtic music, traditional holiday carols with children from the Beckett School at Laurier, German Christmas carols, carols by candlelight as well as our very own Singing Group and regular entertainers.

What Is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is a skill we can utilise in order to better understand our emotional and physical states. We can be mindful by paying attention to our surroundings, living in the moment, and really focusing on our behaviours, thoughts and emotions. Remember to treat yourself with compassion and let yourself be imperfect. Make a mental note of your negative thoughts and emotions but let them pass by without affecting your sense of self.

In many Western societies, including Canada, aging is seen as something to be avoided and fought.   When you pay attention you will see negative stereotypes and perceptions of seniors often portrayed in entertainment, social media, and everyday language.  The Village Wellness team believes aging to be something to be celebrated and enjoyed and has adopted the concept known as  “Positive Aging” -  sometimes referred to as “Aging Well”, “Aging Gracefully”, or “Successful Aging”.

Although approaches to self-care vary, it is generally achieved when we intentionally look after our health and wellbeing. Self-care is a proactive approach that results in reduced stress, anxiety and depression. Other positive impacts include increased energy, strengthened immune system and better sleep.

Everyone possesses strengths and unique personality traits, although they are often hard to recognize within ourselves. There are many benefits to increasing self-awareness in this domain and understanding our value. Not only does it increase feelings of pride and gratitude, but also leaves us feeling more positive, self-motivated and well.

We were honoured when the son of a long-time resident wanted to show his appreciation for the care his mom received over the last twelve years - most recently on the Memory Care floor. He told our Executive Director that he wanted to do something “that would make the nurses lives easier” as he recounted the times he witnessed staff going above and beyond in their care of his mother,

We are pleased to present the first in a three-part series related to self-care featuring Stephanie Pink's expertise. She is a student intern at the Village, pursuing a Master’s in Social Work degree from Wilfrid Laurier University. In this series she provides tips and resources grounded in evidence-based research and experience, on three topics: (1) Gratitude, (2) Identifying Our Strengths and (3) Self-Care.

Let us help you keep your meals fresh and exciting during these unique times. We have put together a list of resources that will allow you to try something new when it comes to your meals. Check out a variety of options from take-out, to DIY meal kits & prepared meals!