Phone:

(403) 823-3345

Address:

140 Riverside Dr E, Drumheller, AB, T0J 0Y4

Health, Home, Image, Medical, Mental Health, Posts with image, Research, standard, Text posts Jamie Gerlinger

Wildfire Smoke and Your Mental Health

Prolonged stretches of poor air quality can be anxiety/ stress inducing.
Having to remain indoors for prolonged periods due to poor air quality can socially isolate people. Social isolation can also impact physical health, potentially worsening pre-existing health conditions and can impact cognitive functioning.
When you have no control over a stressful situation like a disaster or emergency, you still have control over how you understand and respond to it. Learning about and using healthy coping skills to overcome daily challenges in your life is an important step to maintaining good mental health.
Tips:
• Use healthy approaches and skills you typically rely on to cope with stressful situations.
• Breathing techniques can be an effective tool to manage anxiety; take a slow deep breath in and then exhale slowly (repeat 10 times).
• Keep in mind that smoky conditions are temporary and eventually will return to normal.
• Be mindful, gently paying attention to your thoughts and feelings.
• Be sure to rest and try to get enough sleep.
• Spend more time with friends and family indoors; engage in activities that you can do together.
• Although social and family connection is important for mental health; keep in mind that everyone has different needs around the amount of time spent with others.
• Find a way to get physically active with others indoors.
• Try to model good coping skills. Talk about how you feel and how you’re going to cope so your child learns how to do the same.
• Having a strong social support network with healthy social connections is essential in life, but especially important during emergencies and disasters. Get to know your neighbors and connect with your community.
• Health Link 811
•Mental Health Helpline: 1-877-303-2642
•The Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
Responding to a disaster or emergency: https://myhealth.alberta.ca/…/responding-to-disaster…
Recovery from a disaster or emergency: https://myhealth.alberta.ca/…/recovery-after-disaster…
AHS Wellness Article
Health, Home, Image, Medical, Mental Health, Posts with audio, Posts with image, Research, standard, Text posts Jamie Gerlinger

How to Keep Your Pet Safe

Working and playing in the yard and garden are very popular activities for the entire family – including our pets.
Backyard Plants
◾ Lilies pose a significant risk to both cats and dogs. Cats in particular can suffer fatal kidney damage.
◾ Tulips and daffodils are popular garden plants that are also toxic to both cats and dogs. The bulbs are the most poisonous part of the plant and should be stored appropriately if saving for future planting
◾ Mushrooms grow quite readily in our province and pet owners should be on the lookout for them
◾ Azalea/Rhododendron plants are more toxic to dogs than cats. If you suspect your pet has consumed azalea/rhododendron, seek medical attention immediately.
◾ Dieffenbachia is more common as an indoor plant but can be placed outside in warmer weather
◾ Philodendron plants, while different from dieffenbachia, have similar toxicity attributes. Philodendrons also are mostly indoor plants in our climate.
◾ Dracaena is typically an indoor plant in our climate
◾ Cannabis (Marijuana) Intoxication the incidents of cannabis intoxication in pets have increased significantly since marijuana was legalized in Canada in 2018
◾ Chokecherry fruit is not poisonous, but the pits can be if eaten in a great enough quantity. All fruit within the Prunus family of trees and shrubs produce fruit pits that can produce natural cyanide. This includes plums, cherries, peaches, nectarines, and apricots
◾ Rhubarb stems are not poisonous, but the leaves of the plant are
◾ Onions and garlic are common in our kitchens, but they can also be grown in our gardens
◾ Tomatoes, when ripe, are not toxic to pets, but unripe tomatoes, as well as the stems and leaves of the plant, can be
◾ Potatoes belong to the same nightshade family of vegetables as tomatoes and therefore can be toxic to both cats and dogs if raw. When cooked, the toxicity is reduced
◾ Mulch Ensure your mulch is free of any additional additives or chemicals that may be toxic to animals
Health, Home, Image, Medical, Mental Health, Posts with image, Research, standard, Text posts Jamie Gerlinger

Eat Well. Live Well

Healthy eating is more than the foods you eat:
• Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits
• Choose whole grain foods
• Eat protein foods
• Make water your drink of choice
• Be mindful of your eating habits
• Cook more often
• Enjoy your food
• Eat meals with others
• Use food labels
• Limit highly processed foods
• Remember marketing can influence your food choices
Additional information can be found here: https://food-guide.canada.ca/en/food-guide-snapshot/
Health, Home, Image, Medical, Mental Health, Posts with image, Research, standard, Text posts Jamie Gerlinger

Sun Awareness Month May 1-31, 2025

Sun Safety in the True North, Canada’s diverse landscapes, from Alberta’s summer heat to the snow-covered peaks of the Rockies, may vary, but one thing remains constant: the need for sun protection. No matter the season or location, UV rays never take a day off and can still pose a risk to your skin. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, but it’s also one of the most preventable.
Living in the True North means enjoying the outdoors, but it also calls for extra attention to sun protection. Practice these sun safety habits to help protect yourself under the Canadian sun, wherever you are.
• Seek shade during peak UV hours, between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
• Check your skin regularly and visit a certified dermatologist if you notice anything unusual
• Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher
• Wear protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and UV-protective sunglasses
Use this simple 5-step guide to check your skin for unusual moles, spots, or changes. It’s quick, important, and it could save your life: https://dermatology.ca/…/sun-protection/check-your-skin/
Health, Home, Image, Medical, Mental Health, Posts with image, Research, standard, Text posts Jamie Gerlinger

May 17 is World Hypertension Awareness Day

A day to learn about managing blood pressure for better heart health. Hypertension means there is too much pressure in your blood vessels. Over time, this can damage them and can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.
Managing high blood pressure may include changing what you eat, managing your body weight, being physically active, limiting alcohol, engaging in relaxation practices, reducing/ stopping tobacco use, and can include medication.
Consume more of:
– Vegetables and Fruits: They are packed with fibre and nutrients that can help lower blood pressure. Fresh, frozen or canned varieties can all help lower your risk. At meals, try to fill half your plate with vegetables and fruits.
– Whole grains: Whole grain foods include all parts of the grain and have important nutrients like fibre, vitamins, and minerals. If choosing a bread or a cereal, look for “whole” or “100% whole grain”.
– Beans, peas, and lentils: Replace meat with beans, peas, or lentils at some meals. Add kidney beans, chickpeas, and lentils to soups, casseroles, salads, and pasta sauce.
– Foods with calcium: Try to have at least 2 servings daily of calcium-rich foods like milk, yogurt, fortified plant-based beverages.
Eat or drink less off:
– Refined grains: Refined grains have parts of the grain removed when they are being processed, so they have less fibre and sometimes fewer vitamins.
– Added sugar: Sugar, syrup, or honey added to food and drinks.
– Added salt, packaged or processed food: Salt contains a mineral called sodium. Your body needs small amounts of sodium to work properly. Most Canadians eat almost 2 times the sodium they need.
– Caffeine: Caffeine is found in coffee and coffee-based drinks, tea, sodas and energy drinks. Limit caffeine to no more than 400 mg a day. This is equal to 2-3 cups or 500-750 mL of coffee.
When you start with small changes, eating what you eat or drink seems more manageable—your heart will thank you for it.
Visit: ahs.ca/nutritionhandouts and search “Nutrition and Lifestyle Choices to Manage Blood Pressure”.
AHS Wellness Article
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