How to Survive the Festive Season | Practitioner: Katie Faile

If you’re going to try to get through the holiday season with your sanity, credit card and waist line intact—you will need a few strategies to help you deal with the stressors this time of year brings.   Christmas can polarize people, those who love it and those who don’t.  Some may feel overwhelmed by the commercial pressures to spend your way to perfection and happiness, only to feel stressed and morose to the max.  Some strategies you may need to help you successfully navigate your way through this Christmas include:-

1. Drink plenty of water, prior to partying and between alcoholic drinks, always finish your night on 2 large glasses of water to help re-hydrate your body.  Keep your blood sugar levels balanced.  This helps to balance the emotions and energy levels.  Eating makes a big difference to how the body absorbs alcohol.  Eat a meal which includes proteins, nuts, seeds or slow release carbohydrates like vegetables and beans.
2. Make sure you give yourself a night off. Reschedule catching up with friends in the new year and go for a picnic or bush walk instead.
3. Take a strong multi vitamin/mineral supplement that contains at least 50 mg of        Vitamin B6.  Vitamin C helps to metabolize alcohol and reduces harmful effects to the liver, try 500 mg of slow release vitamin C. Remember not to drink coffee at least 2 hours after taking a Vitamin supplement as their full benefit reduces during this time.
4. If you wake up with a sore head, activated charcoal soaks up about 80 times it’s weight in   toxins, this will reduce the ill    effects of the previous evenings indulgences.
5.  Look after your liver.  Start the day with 1/2 a lemon squeezed into body temperature water.  A liver tonic, tea or supplement that includes St Mary’s thistle can actually regenerate liver cells.
6. If the festive season gives you the blues, ask for help. If symptoms are relatively new and you are not taking any medication St John’s Wort is helpful in reducing some forms of depression. (not for those on anti depressants, organ rejection drugs or hormone       replacement).  You can also try Omega 3 oil supplements, chamomile tea or burn             deliciously scented oils such as rose or lavender .

 Above all be gentle and compassionate with yourself and others, after all this is the true meaning of the “Spirit of Christmas” .

Christmas greetings, hope and happiness to you all from the team  at your local Calanna Pharmacy 

MARIO'S WORDS OF WISDOM THIS FESTIVE SEASON

Hello Club Member,

Welcome to December, the season of Giving and the end of another year of “your” life. For those of us who believe – it is the celebration of the birth of Jesus.

However - for all of us - it is a time to  enjoy more family time, a break from the daily grind and an opportunity to reflect and determine the New Year - Our New Year.

We can reflect upon our success through the following questions:

1. How many of my top goals did I achieve?

2. Have these goals led me towards my Purpose in Life?

3. Are the bonds between my family, my friends and my work colleagues – more meaningful and stronger?

4. Am I content with my life balance between health, learning, finance, personal and work life?

5. Can I look into the mirror and see a better me? Do I like the me I see?

Jim Rohn said:“Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines practiced every day”  and John Maxwell would say that these practiced disciplines plus knowing your purpose in life and applying Intentional Living to the mix – almost guarantees you will become who you are meant to be and leave a Legacy of Significance.

“Intentional Living – living with intent to act and do – is what causes you to start. It does not allow good intentions to stay as merely intentions” – John Maxwell.

Michelle Payne’s Melbourne Cup success is a current and wonderful example of a Purpose in life, of a Big Dream, of disciplines practiced every day, of Intentional living and working with family, with a horse, with owners and the trainer.  The power of the story lies in the Dream of One infused into the lives of many. It     exemplifies Determination with the power of Humility.

Humility to accept that she was only part of a team needed to achieve the Dream.  It is a success story that began over 20 years ago borne of a Big Dream to win the Melbourne Cup and the unshakable belief in this dream since the age of 5.   What carried her through the years of sweat, heart break, near fatal accidents and day to day practiced disciplines –“GRIT”.

Grit = Passion + Perseverance + Purpose + Patience = Disciplined Intentional Living

Her story is one to admire, to enjoy and to spur us to achieve our own Big Dream. To write your own story.

I wish to thank you for your loyalty to Calanna this year. We thank you for your trust by choosing to allow us the           privilege of serving your needs. It is our Mission to continue to improve our    products, our services and our people – so that you are offered the best help at all times.

“Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more – But those giving more” …Jackson Brown Jr

I wish you a Holy Christmas and an Intentional, Successful 2016…………..Mario

Calanna Stores Opening Hours This Festive Season

IT'S REALLY WARMING UP OUT THERE!

 Heat Related Illness 5 Things You Must Know

1.         Heat Rash

· Keep the affected area dry,

· Avoid using ointments and creams on heat rash
  as they keep the skin warm and moist. 

· Try Mario’s Prickly Heat Spray, this great product
   opens the pores of the skin to soothe and relive
   heat rashes quickly.

2.       Heat Cramps

· Stop all activity and move to a cool shady place to rest.

·  Increase fluid intake.

· Supplement daily with a good quality magnesium formula

3.        Dizziness and fainting

· Move the affected person to a cool area and lie them down. 

· If fully conscious increase fluid intake.

 4. Heat Exhaustion

· Move the person to a cool area and lay them

· Remove outer clothing and wet skin with cool water or wet cloths.

· Increase fluid intake if fully conscious and seek medical advice.

5.          Heat Stroke

· Call 000 for an ambulance

· Move to a cool shady area and lay person down while waiting for ambulance.

· Remove clothing and wet skin with cool water, fanning continuously

· Do not give fluids to drink

If you suspect someone you know is suffering from heat exhaustion or heat stroke seek medical advice immediately.  Heat related illness can be prevented, with a little care and forethought there is no reason we cannot enjoy the lovely weather that we are blessed with living in the far north.

 Don't Forget Your Pets!

WIN FREE FUEL FOR ONE YEAR - SIMPLY PRESENT YOUR LIFECLUB CARD WHEN YOU NEXT VISIT YOUR LOCAL CALANNA PHARMACY

Ask in store for more details!

Gastric Reflux - By Miguel Trapaga

Your stomach is an organ between your esophagus and small intestine and           

this is where the digestion of protein begins. Here food mixes with stomach acid, which is produced by cells lining the stomach. Other cells in the stomach produce bicarbonate, an alkali, to buffer the stomach acid, so that it does not become too acidic.

These cells also produce mucus, which forms a protective layer that prevents gastric acid from damaging the stomach. As well as breaking down proteins, the highly acidic environment in the stomach inhibits microorganisms,  preventing infection.

The angle formed as the oesophagus enters the stomach creates a valve, known as the lower esophageal  sphincter, that prevents stomach acid from passing back up, burning and inflaming the sensitive esophageal tissue. Gastric reflux is caused by a failure of this sphincter.

There are several causes of reflux.   The stomach can push up against the  sphincter as in a hiatus hernia or obesity. The stomach can also drop and press on the abdomen, disturbing its normal mixing function and acid production. The   sphincter itself may be weak.  The stomach can make too much acid due to high calcium levels in the blood or excess gastrin (an enzyme) production.

Some medicines are associated with   reflux, such as progesterone, prednisolone, theophylline, dopamine, Valium, some calcium channel blockers and non-steroid anti inflammatory drugs.  Some foods are also implicated, such as chocolate, citrus and tomato and smoking, alcohol and coffee are also known for excess acid production.  Finally, poor gastric digestion may be another possible cause. Foods that are not properly broken down may ferment, producing gas. This may increase gastric   pressure, pushing up against the heart and the esophageal sphincter.

For mild reflux, the medical treatment is antacids, which neutralize gastric acid. A newer family of drug, known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), are now also widely used. These drugs decrease the acidity of the gastric acid. These drugs are not designed for long term use as the acidity of the gastric acid is important for disinfecting the stomach and intestines and the breakdown of foods, releasing nutrients.

If you are using PPIs in the long term, supplementing with magnesium and  calcium is a good idea, because these minerals will be less efficiently absorbed. Henry Osieki, Australia’s nutrition guru, recommends the following supplements:

1. Increase the consumption of foods rich in silicon (fibre rich foods), magnesium and vitamin A;
2. Cabbage juice, for any ulcers that may be present in the oesophagus;
3. Avoid fatty foods, chocolate, alcohol, coffee and smoking.

Henry also recommends raising the level of the bed head several inches, so that gravity assists the prevention of acid passing into the oesophagus during sleep.

My basic treatment for reflux is :

1.  Basica, an alkaline mineral formula, 1 teaspoon,  4 x daily;

2.  Nat.Phos 6C, a tissue salt made by Schuessler, 1 tablet, 4 x daily;  and sometimes 

3.  Slippery Elm Powder. Pour 2 cups hot water over 2 tablespoons of the powdered bark and steep for 3 to 5 minutes. Drink 10 minutes before meals.

There are other ideas to consider as well. Burning pain in the upper abdomen may also be a symptom of Helicobacter  Pylori, a bug that can infect the stomach. If you experience this symptom, have it diagnosed rather than trying to treat it yourself. Abdominal pain, particularly in a child, needs a medical diagnosis.