South Shuswap Health

Copper Island Health and Wellness Centre South Shuswap Health Services #10 – 2417 Golf Course Drive, Blind Bay

By Sandra Reutlinger

"Pick me, pick me!" pipes up the broccoli. "I'll help you fit into those jeans" 250-253-3978 whispers the whole row of greens. "Come on over here Slick" say the ginger and garlic. "Hey, you're kinda cute" beckon the citrus fruit. "We're trying to boost you up" quips the pre-made melon cup. "And we know your needs" chime the almonds and sunflower seeds.

You look around the grocery isle. A young child is happily skipping by singing the Veggie Tales refrain of "if you like to talk to tomatoes, if a squash can make you smile..." and you think maybe there really is talking food and perhaps you could explain this with certitude.

So what are they saying? These super foods and others? Eat us and we will help to build your immune system. Super foods are super important this time of year as we need to do all we can to prevent colds, flu and other infections. Eating healthy and nutritious meals is key to building our immune system. Exercise is important and can be done at any level of fitness. Just get moving. You can even Youtube chair stretches and exercises.

Want to know what else is calling besides the healthy foods? Nature. She is calling you to come outside. Throw on something warm and get outside. Breath in the fresh air. Contemplate the crispness. Take in the beauty. Listen to the sounds of silence, or the Notch Hill Train, or the birds, or the waves swishing on the Shuswap. If you eat right, exercise and get outside, there is yet another benefit which will in turn benefit your immune system. You will sleep better, and sleep is essential for building health and wellness. Supplements of Vitamin D, Vitamin C, the B's including sublingual B12 are all good supplements to incorporate. Why not stop in to Nature's Bounty in Sorrento or It's All Good Bulk and Health Food Store in Blind Bay and have a chat with the knowledgeable staff? The Copper Island Health and Wellness Centre is open Tuesdays and Thursdays 8-12 for the Mobile Lab and Saturdays 912 for the Walk in Clinic and we would be happy to give you a copy of our Seniors Nutrition Book or other resources. While we are talking about our immune systems and staying healthy, can we just take a moment to talk?! Talking to others, staying connected and feeling included is a big piece of the wellness picture. We are social beings, and we thrive when we feel a sense of belonging and that we are in a community with others. Knowing that staying socially connected is vital to our mental and physical health is one thing and somehow figuring out how to do that is another. Be intentional about staying connected. When outside, you can strike up a conversation with your neighbours and even strangers. Doesn't the Blind Bay sign say "where strangers become friends"? Make some telephone calls. Learn how to use social media on your smart phone, tablet or computer and the whole world opens up for online classes, meetings, virtual coffee times etc. Use video chat to be able to see and talk to your loved ones and friends. Check in on others in your family, in your circle of people and in your neighbourhood. Sign up for a local event as some are starting to happen in-person and inside large spaces where physical distancing can happen along with other COVID procedures being in place. There are community groups such as Better at Home and the community churches that are willing to do weekly telephone 'check ins' with those who don't have a good support system in place. Why not participate in our Online Auction Fundraiser and then pop over to the empty space (where Prairie Creek used to be) at the Blind Bay Marketplace Mall between the Chinese Garden and Love is Blind Bay Gifts to view the auction items in person anytime between 10-2 from Nov 1-22 on Tuesdays and Saturdays. To see and bid on the items go to www.32auctions.com/cihw. We are raising funds for an expansion project so that we can offer more health services. We are working towards getting a full time Doctor, more hours for the Lab, and more health services as part of our commitment to bring access to well-being closer to home. There are programs and other services being planned related to healthy living. Also, we have the Dental Hygiene Clinic on November 20th and December 18th. Call the Centre 250-675-3661 for more information or to book an appointment. If you are in need of Personal Protective Equipment or would like to receive training on proper usage, please call the Centre at 250-675-3661. Want to learn more about what the Centre is doing and what we envision for the future of helping to build healthy communities? Join our AGM on November 14th at 1:00pm via Zoom or in person. Call or email cisrcbb@gmail.com.