As a caregiver, how can you find time to give back to yourself? One way to start is by practicing self-compassion. Leading clinical psychologist Dr. Kristin Neff defines self-compassion as composed of three elements.

April 16-22 is National Volunteer Week – this week (and all other weeks!), we celebrate the wonderful volunteers of the BC Brain Wellness Program and beyond.

April is Stress Awareness Month, so this week, we will be taking time to acknowledge the role stress plays in our lives and how to respond to it in a healthy way!

Last week, scholars, researchers, policymakers, patients, and members of the public joined together to celebrate Brain Awareness Week (BAW)! Every March, institutions around the world host events, workshops, and public awareness campaigns to highlight current developments in research about the brain and mind.

Whether humming along to your favourite song or attending a concert, music as a form of entertainment and enjoyment is widely known and experienced by many! Music in the context of health and wellness, however, may be less familiar to the general public.

Do you prioritize brain health in your everyday life? You should! Unfortunately, the prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases increases as we age. One in ten folks over the age of 65 years have Alzheimer's disease. Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis can negatively impact your ability to run errands, enjoy time with family, and overall quality of life.

Allied health professionals play a crucial role in providing holistic care to people with chronic health conditions. Tapping into their expertise and experience increases your knowledge and skills, which can be invaluable in managing your health and wellness. Start building your team early on, even before you think you need it!

When we think of “intimacy”, we typically envision romantic relationships and physical affection. But what about intimacy within friendships – the emotional, mental, or spiritual closeness we feel with our nearest and dearest pals? The importance of adult friendships is often eclipsed by romantic partnerships, yet some of the very same neuroscientific mechanisms are at play in both forms of connection.

One in five Canadians experience a mental health illness each year. This may be a surprising statistic yet even more surprising is that almost half of these Canadians report that their mental health needs are either partially or fully unmet.

We are excited to introduce BC Brain Wellness Program’s new initiative, The Creative Collective, which aims to spotlight art created by members of the BC BWP community. 

With the festive season in full swing, I find myself reflecting on the success of the BC Brain Wellness Program over the past year. I am grateful for all of the hard work and dedication of the staff, instructors, volunteers, and students who make this program possible. I am also thankful for the enthusiasm and commitment of all of the participants, and I applaud you on embracing a healthier lifestyle. We are here because of you and would not be here without you!

The great thing about holiday season is that it’s predictable….it comes the same time every year and that means we can get prepared for it!

We’re sharing some tips to help you to enjoy the holiday season.

The mission of the Participant Advisory Committee (PAC) is “to provide a participant perspective towards a comprehensive and integrated approach to brain wellness by guiding future BC Brain Wellness Program (BWP) program delivery, research and education.” 

Are you by nature a planner or a procrastinator when approaching critical crossroads of decision making? It is sometimes challenging to balance planning ahead versus staying focused in the present. How and when we take action related to managing health conditions is similar to how we behave in other arenas. 

We can all foster the curiosity to understand more about what is learned and experienced well beyond the notes. Music evokes deep emotions which we can open ourselves up to alongside another …a meaningful encounter awaits each of us in that place.  This very pathway into deeper connection through music will be explored at the 2022 Music Care Conference, a hybrid event taking place both in person and virtually.  Featured in the flow of the day will be Mikey Jose, a PhD student in the movement disorders clinic at the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health.

Exploring the question “What does the BC Brain Wellness Program mean to you?” has been a theme throughout the past year. The answers from our participants, instructors and staff have been inspiring and have guided us as we worked on our three goals; expansion, evaluation and sustainability. 

Each September, individuals and organizations unite to raise awareness and support for Alzheimer’s disease and all types of dementia. With that in mind (no pun intended!), this blog will focus on what Alzheimer’s disease is, current research on dementia, effective prevention strategies and tips for managing life post-diagnosis. 

Fall and winter are both beautiful seasons that each bring their unique idiosyncrasies and charm. In our Northern Hemisphere, what these beautiful seasons have in common is the decreasing length of day and decreased amount of sunlight an individual may obtain. To some, the shorter days can negatively affect productivity and mood, and even lead to more persistent health effects on others. A common ailment is “seasonal affective disorder”, which is predicted to affect 2-10% of Canadians in their lifetime.

The power of connecting with people from different generations is often under-recognized in the world we live in today. To encourage intergenerational relationships, the BC Brain Wellness Program is once again offering the opportunity for senior participants to share unique life experiences with university students. Applications will open up this August 29/22 during the BC Brain Wellness Fall Registration.

The Participant Advisory Committee (PAC) is a select group of Brain Wellness Program (BWP) participants who are helping improve the program. We have had a wonderful year with the 2021-2022 PAC group, and are calling out for new applicants to fill positions on the 2022-2023 PAC!