We’ve been focused this month on how certain things slow down in winter and ways in which we can use that for restorative purposes. But at the height of the holiday season, in the midst of cooking, cleaning, and shopping, you may feel an even greater need for rest and recovery than usual.

Other things that help you relax will also help you extend your rest and digest stage. Reading a book if you love to read. Taking a bath with your favourite scented bubbles, if that’s your thing. Playing a musical instrument. Painting. You get the idea. If you’re feeling like you’re under constant stress, try to build some time into your day for the things that help you relax - it does more good for your health than you can imagine.

There are many different kinds of rest your brain and body need to feel whole and function at their best. As the darker days and cooler temps set in, remember that this time of year - which so many of us dread - presents an excellent opportunity to build a little more rest into our routines.

If it seems like you know more women than men who are impacted by autoimmune diseases, you’re not imagining it. Current statistics estimate that women account for a whopping 78% of the roughly two million Canadians who suffer from autoimmune diseases.

You have a digestive system. You have a reproductive system. You might visit a gastroenterologist when you experience abdominal discomfort. You probably visit a gynecologist for reproductive concerns. But the truth is that these two distinct systems are not unrelated.

We talk a lot about the sympathetic nervous system that activates your flight or flight stress response. We help you tap into the “rest and digest” mode which is operated by the more mellow parasympathetic nervous system. But wait, there’s more!

I know a few things to be true. One is that it is virtually impossible to know how you will feel about being a new mom until you bring that baby home. Two is that you should always ask for help when you need it.

Stress affects all of us, and often in unique ways. If you’re experiencing stress along with fatigue, burnout, and/or physical pain, you’ve come to the right place for affirmation. I believe you when you say you feel pain. I believe your experience of fatigue.

Blame it on our ancient DNA. Our prehistoric ancestors lived in the wilderness, constantly on high-alert of danger and probably ran for their lives on a near-daily basis. It was the stress response cycle - the way our body leaps into action as soon as it perceives a threat - that kept them alive. Today, it’s what’s stressing us out!

Once in a while, a book comes along that resonates so much you want to shout from the rooftops that everyone else should read it too. For us, one of those books is Burnout, The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski.

We all experience life transitions. They may correlate with our age and stage of life, like perimenopause when we go through significant biological changes, or with milestones - like entering adulthood, forming relationships, motherhood, divorce, empty nesting, retirement, or loss.

Before menopause, there is perimenopause. If you’re not familiar with it, or only vaguely familiar with it, there’s a reason for that. It’s simply not talked about enough, which means many women are either taken by surprise or simply never learn the root cause of perimenopausal symptoms.

It’s common knowledge that pregnancy and childbirth are life-changing events. You grow a person inside your body! You bring that person into the world! Your life will never be the same - and your body will go through more transitions than you can count.

Our bodies are always talking to us. As a women’s health professional, it is my passion to listen to women and their health stories to identify a pattern with the signs and symptoms so I can help her feel her best. I also believe in empowerment, which is why I’m outlining some information that every menstruating woman should know, so that you can take charge of your own wellness.

If you’ve been to our practice before, you’ve probably heard us talk about the importance and power of mindful movement. That’s because, from a holistic standpoint, opening a line of communication and understanding between body and mind is good for the whole person.

Many of my clients come to me for help with their sleep routine. Insomnia is a widespread problem that can have an outsized effect on our physical, mental, and emotional health. In fact, about 30 % of Canadians suffer from a sleep disorder.

Summertime and the living is easy! Many of us take full advantage of the warm weather to change up our routine, get out to see friends more, hit the road and hit the beach, and hopefully get a little more activity in.

As a physiotherapist, I firmly believe that nothing has a bigger positive impact on our health and wellness as movement. The problem is that most of us aren’t moving enough. Too many people sit at a desk all day and then come home and sit on the couch in the evening. If that sounds familiar, this article is my love letter to you.