• Tibetan Chants, Buddhist Meditation (Lama Karta, Milan Records) This CD of oriental sounds can help you stay centred in the moment.
• Rainforest with Alpha Brainwave Pulses (The Relaxation Company) Made up solely of nature sounds, this CD contains an impressive recording quality. Though the same sounds are repeated, one still gets the impression of being in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.
• Natural Stress Relief (Dan Gibson, Solitudes) A high-quality recording where the waves sound like real waves, the rainfall like real rainfall. One has the impression of being surrounded by nature.
9. Acupuncture
A form of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture purports that stress reflects an energy "blockage" somewhere in the body. After patients fill out a questionnaire and submit to an examination to determine their state of health, the acupuncturist places needles into various parts of their body to re-establish the flow of energy. The patients are often lying down, and the needles are eventually withdrawn.
Good to know: Acupuncture can be stressful if you're afraid of needles, and while it isn't exactly pleasant (the needles prick a bit when they're inserted), acupuncture isn't painful either. Sometimes you even forget the needles are there.
10. Reflexology
This is a touch-based therapy focused on the feet. The practitioner exerts pressure on different parts of the feet, which are linked to specific organs or other parts of the body. The relaxing effects on the body are said to last several days.
10 websites to help promote a healthy lifestyle
With so much information on health out there, it's hard to know where to turn. Here are a few websites monitored by professionals, based on the most recent medical research.
www.cancer.ca
The Canadian Cancer Society offers a wealth of information on cancer, how to prevent it and, above all, how to deal with cancer or help a loved one with cancer.
www.cmha.ca
The Canadian Mental Health Association offers ways to assess one's stress level and to effectively relieve such stress. The website also features chat groups intended to help people better understand and manage mental illness.
www.diabetes.ca
All you need to know about diabetes and how to prevent it. The nutrition and recipe section is especially interesting and thorough.
www.health-evidence.ca
Financed by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, this website helps to assess the relevance of studies cited in newspaper headlines.
www.dieticians.ca
The voice of the profession nationwide, Dieticians of Canada is a referral centre on nutrition dedicated to promoting healthy eating and lifestyle habits among all Canadians. We especially like its Virtual Grocery Store and its tasty recipes (click on "Consumer Tips and Tools").
www.hc-sc.gc.ca
As well as provide updated and reliable information on all aspects relating to health, Health Canada publishes daily advisories, alerts and consumer product recalls.
www.ccn.on.ca
The Cardiac Care Network of Ontario is a network of 18 hospitals working closely with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to coordinate cardiac care in Ontario. CCN offers a comprehensive range of support services to cardiac patients, including updated wait times for procedures as well as flexible options meant to help patients receive timely care.
www.cwhn.ca
The Canadian Women's Health Network website presents a feminine perspective to current and timely issues (body image, breast cancer, women and caregiving, menopause, etc.).
www.health.gov.on.ca
The number one resource and referral centre for information on health services in Ontario. As well as offer information on programs and services, this Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care website issues public health advisories and updates for all Ontario residents.
www.mayoclinic.com
The Mayo Clinic, the celebrated American health institution, maintains a website chock full of information on healthy living at any age.
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