Health and Wellness: If you own or manage an essential business, such as a grocery store or pharmacy, your main priority right now is keeping employees healthy and safe. Listening to government updates on the pandemic and taking every measure to implement their guidelines on the matter is your responsibility, so it’s crucial to pay attention to your district’s government briefings.

While many people stay at home as much as possible right now, essential workers continue to show up to work with smiles on their faces. They depend on official health and safety protocols to protect them until we can all breathe a sigh of relief when vaccines arrive. As a business owner or manager, you have the power to implement such protocols to ensure employees are happy and healthy. And, you want your staff to be safe just as much as the public. Not only would it be devastating if anyone got sick while in your retail space, but you’d also develop a bad reputation as a service provider.

Read on to discover helpful tips to enforce alongside your government’s official regulations to encourage health and wellness at the workplace.

Establish Daily Cleaning Protocols

Depending on your type of business, you will already have cleaning and sanitizing protocols in place. Every retail space has different cleaning procedures, from an opening routine to inspecting new inventory deliveries. However, since the pandemic hit, you’ve probably amplified such sanitizing measures to prevent any virus spread. If you haven’t already, implement thorough cleaning and sanitizing training for all employees. There should be clearly-stated policies and visuals posted throughout the space for people to access and reference.

Consider making it a rule to wash hands every 20 minutes, wipe down sales areas after every customer leaves, and regularly sanitize products. You’ll also want to determine which sanitizing products to use and how to administer them to your space effectively.

Create Custom Masks

By now, you’re probably aware that the virus spreads, from person to person. Through the transmission of respiratory droplets from the mouth and nostrils. Facial coverings are the best preventative measure against this as they block those minuscule droplets from landing on other people. Wearing a facial covering in public is mandatory in most places.

Have you ever considered ordering branded face masks for your company and its employees? It’s challenging to be an essential worker right now. So why not treat staff to customized facial masks with the company’s logo? It’s never been more important to show appreciation for employees than now. Branded masks will help unify the team during stressful times. And customers will have an easier time identifying employees on the floor.

Provide Regular Zoom Updates

It’s a good idea to check-in with everyone once or twice a month. Organize Zoom meetings to discuss any new in-store procedures and see how everyone is handling things. People are stressed and tired. Offering a safe space to discuss health and wellness lets staff know you’re all in this together.

Providing a clean, safe. And happy work environment is a little more challenging than it was a few months ago, but it’s doable. Pay attention to official policies, initiate clear cleaning procedures, wear masks, and tune in to how employees are feeling.

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In recent times, alternative medicine practices have become popular. The reason is that they are relatively safer yet effective. A prime example is acupuncture. It is an ancient Chinese medicine technique. It entails the insertion of needles into the skin on specific parts of the body. The purpose is to treat various ailments by stimulating the pressure points. Practitioners who perform such therapy are called acupuncturists.

They are skilled healthcare professionals who hold extensive knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine. They mainly conduct sessions in special acupuncture clinics that have the necessary equipment. While this is a brief explanation, you can consider the following facts to learn more:

Mechanism of action

As per Chinese medicine, the body has several receptive fields. When stimulated, they activate multiple sensory neurons. This further imparts deep healing and increases blood flow to the connected regions. Once an acupuncturist assesses your condition, they insert needles in the receptive fields associated with the concerned area.

For instance, if you suffer from chronic anxiety, the acupuncturist may place needles at the point near your nerves to promote a calming effect. Consult an acupuncturist near me for better guidance on the treatment course.

Session structure

The sessions involved in such therapy are simple. First, the acupuncturist examines you and assesses your condition. Upon proper diagnosis, they insert one or more fine, sterilised needles into the concerned pressure points. The insertion stays put for approximately 20-60 minutes, depending on the intensity of your ailment. You are also expected to lie down throughout this procedure.

During the process, you might feel a brief tingling or stinging sensation. This is quite normal and an indication that the treatment is working.

Usage

People usually opt for acupuncture therapy to relieve chronic pain and conditions. However, you can also seek it for simple relaxation purposes. The other ailments that it treats and manages are:

• Lower back and neck pain
• Chronic migraines and headaches
• Osteoarthritis
• Knee and joint pain
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Fatigue and lethargy
• Ovulatory issues

This therapy is highly effective when combined with other methods like an aromatherapy massage. But it is always good to consult a doctor if you have an ongoing procedure.

Benefits

Regular acupuncture therapy garners the following benefits for patients:

• Helps alleviate and manage chronic pain
• Improves the quality of sleep, thereby reducing symptoms of insomnia
• Relieves effects of stress and anxiety
• Boosts immune function
• Provides relief from seasonal allergies
• Increases energy levels and uplifts mood, like an aromatherapy massage near me

Efficacy

The time acupuncture takes to show results depends on two factors:

• The intensity of your condition
• The type of ailment you have

For example, those with chronic ailments might feel better after a few sessions. Also, people with acute health issues could take eight to 12 sessions to experience significant improvements.

Taking care of your feet is essential if you have diabetes since this illness naturally makes your feet more vulnerable to health issues. This is due to the fact that diabetes can lower blood flow and damage the nerves in your feet. Tasha Kennon is the Medtronic Diabetes Clinical Manager and a Diabetes Foot Specialist and she has shared 15 tips that can help you to take care of your feet to ensure you have healthier feet with diabetes.

At this time of the year, you likely want to go swimming at your local beach or even visit a pool. However, before you put on those flip flops or put your feet in the sand, you need to think about proper foot safety as a diabetic.

Unfortunately, when you have diabetes, you have a much higher risk of foot injury or infection because of lower blood flow and nerve damage. Unfortunately, 1 in 5 people with diabetes are forced to seek medical care due to foot issues according to the ADA (American Diabetes Association). Due to the higher risk of injury, small issues can become much bigger issues. If you get a small cut or even a blister on your foot, this can potentially cause an infection. This can escalate into a much bigger problem where you can potentially lose a toe or as much as an entire leg.

We will now cover a couple of foot care guidelines for those who suffer with diabetes so that you can remain safe and take care of your feet throughout the summer and the entire year.

Routines

Examine your feet on a daily basis and check for any cuts, sores, blisters, redness etc. In the event that you can’t examine each foot properly, be sure to get help from someone you trust or use a mirror.

Make sure to wash your feet thoroughly every day. Once you’ve finished washing them, thoroughly dry your feet, and this includes between each toe.

Aim to be more active on a daily basis and walk regularly. You should talk to your doctor about how much exercise you should get.

Get your toenails professionally cut if you are unable to cut them yourself. Once you can do it yourself, be sure to avoid cutting too short and always file them using a nail file.

When applying lotion or cream, make sure to avoid using too much and only use a thin layer. Also, don’t apply cream or lotion in between your toes.

Go to your podiatrist or a reputable foot care specialist at least once every year to get your feet checked.

Footwear

Avoid walking barefoot and this includes at the pool or on the beach.

When wearing shoes, ensure that you only wear shoes that are appropriately sized, comfortable and offer full foot protection. Find the perfect shoes at Orthoticshop.

Be sure to speak to your doctor about shoe coverage as a diabetic. When you wear shoes that fit well, this will greatly lower your risk of experiencing foot issues and complications.

Before you put on your shoes, be sure to check the interior first. They should be free of any foreign objects and the shoe lining should be smooth.

Prevention

Always protect your feet from extreme hot or cold temperatures, especially the bottom of your feet. Avoid placing your feet in water that is hot and always test the temperature of the water before you place your feet in first.

Avoid using electric blankets, hot water bottles and even heating pads. Unfortunately, these can actually burn your feet accidentally.

When sitting, don’t cross your legs. If you usually experience swelling of your feet or ankles, make sure to elevate your feet when you do sit. Also, move your toes and feet when you sit.

Don’t smoke since this can cause serious issues and complications.

In the event that you get an ingrown nail or callus, be sure to visit your foot care specialist.

It is essential that you take good care of your feet once you have diabetes. You should always strive to keep your blood glucose levels and A1c in the normal range to keep your diabetes under control.

The Uvalde shooting in Texas – which robbed the lives of two teachers and 19 innocent children – has undoubtedly shaken the country to its core. The attack by the 18-year-old Salvador Ramos at the 600-student Robb Elementary School marked the deadliest school shooting in the history of Texas. The fury that followed the incident has elicited a lot of debate on various issues, ranging from mental health to gun control in the US.

Even as the police chief resigns from the City Council seat over the delayed response to the shooting, the wound is still fresh for many teachers, parents, and children in Texas and across the country. As a result, North Texas schools are now stepping up to the plate by pushing for mental health in the aftermath of the deadly Uvalde shooting.

No one can fathom the fear, grief, and anxiety families in Texas and across the country are going through. Yet, educators in North Texas schools want them to rest easy, knowing that the well-being and safety of their children are their top concern.

Tabitha Branum, the acting superintendent of North Texas Schools, termed the incident a “horrific tragedy” in an emotional email sent to the entire school district. In addition, she stated that children who may read or hear about the shooting could become justifiably worried and want to talk to someone to process the news healthily.

The educators want to provide mental health counseling to young people, their parents, and other loved ones who may be concerned. They don’t want a repeat of what happened after the 1999 Wedgwood Baptist Church shooting, in which an armed person attacked a youth rally and fatally shot seven people before turning the gun on himself.

In the incident mentioned above, educators at Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) were reluctant to help students process the news of the traumatic event. The aftermath of the 1999 shooting was messy and hectic despite hundreds of kids affected by the incident needing help processing what transpired. School districts that weren’t well-equipped and prepared for such a tragic event.

Many mental health experts and educators, including Kathryn Everest (the director of counseling services at FWISD), acknowledged then that schools were in dire need of training in trauma response. In addition, they needed to develop a plan for tragic events that affected the whole community. Today, Everest and her team at FWISD have since helped other Texas school districts that have experienced traumatic events.

Taking it one step at a time

With the Uvalde shooting, educators want to focus on daily steps to make students feel safe and foster confidence to seek help. In addition, identify staff who children can get in touch with if they feel anxious, in danger, or alone. More than that, the prevention and crisis response team hopes to identify students who might be suicidal, as that can make a huge difference in keeping tragedies at bay.

And it makes excellent sense: research has shown that a typical school shooter is generally suicidal before resorting to shooting. Connecting a young person who may be suicidal to the proper support, help, and rehab facilities could save many innocent lives. Others can seek care in person at private practices like Geode, opening locations in Texas from Frisco to Plano.

In a push for mental health, many officials and educators in the area are encouraging students and families to come forward with any info about extreme behavior or troubling activity. They can report via anonymous reporting apps set by the school districts or to school counselors.

Families must remember to take advantage of mental health services available to staff and students who need support. In addition, the district’s counselors regularly talk to staff or students who need help processing the recent tragic event

Beyond the school hours

School administrators are also encouraging parents to limit how much news coverage about the incident their children see to prevent anxiety flare-ups. They recommended parents openly converse with their children about what happened and listen to their concerns. Therefore, address any anxiety and stress that parents may have.

Families are also advised not to disrupt their everyday routines. Instead, they let their children attend school as usual because predictability can provide them with the necessary confidence and security. School districts’ officials emphasized to families that they have put in place several protocols and security measures to ensure the safety of their campuses. These include emergency response training and practicing with staff, faculty, and students.

Coenzyme Q10 (or CoQ10 for short) is an essential, fat-soluble nutrient that is required by every single cell in the human body where it functions as a potent antioxidant to protect our cells and tissues from the effects of free radicals and oxidative stress. CoQ10 is also crucial to cell growth and maintenance, as well as is directly implicated in cellular energy production (generating ATP for energy in our mitochondria), as well as is responsible for protecting heart health. As you can see, CoQ10 is a busy nutrient!

Our bodies naturally produce CoQ10, however, as is the case with many other nutrients that we synthesize, our production starts to wane as we age (as early as of age 20, in fact), putting us at risk for a whole range of health conditions including cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, type 2 diabetes, and various forms of cancer.

Coenzyme Q10 Foods

CoQ10 is also naturally present in foods such as oily fish (salmon, tuna, and others), organ meats (such as liver), and for those who are vegan or vegetarian, whole grains, and peanut butter. Though most people are thought to obtain enough CoQ10 via diet, those with existing health conditions (heart disease, diabetes, neurodegenerative conditions, and the like), as well as anyone on severely restrictive diets would likely benefit from supplementation. CoQ10 supplementation is also critically important for those who take statin drugs for high cholesterol since this class of medication further depletes the body’s CoQ10 (setting up a vicious cycle). As an anti-aging supplement, CoQ10 is also ideal to help promote healthy aging and boost cognitive and physical performance throughout life.

CoQ10 Benefits

CoQ10 has been extensively studied and used in a wide range of therapeutic applications. Some of the most well-established benefits and uses for CoQ10 supplements include:

• Antiaging / Improving skin health
• Boosting exercise capacity and athletic performance
• Blood pressure management
• Enhancing immune function
• Fibromyalgia symptom management
• Helping prevent migraines
• Improving blood sugar balance, diabetes, and related disorders
• Improving fertility in men and women
• Managing heart failure (preventing blood from pooling in lungs and legs)
• Protecting heart health
• Protecting the brain and cognitive health
• Protecting the lungs (especially in those with chronic pulmonary conditions)
• Reducing cholesterol
• Stimulating natural energy production

Different Forms of CoQ10 Supplements

CoQ10 supplements are widely available in a range of formats from capsules to tablets, powders, chewables, gummies, and even liquid CoQ10. Because of its powerful antioxidant properties, CoQ10 is also frequently added to skin care products such as creams and serums that are intended to stimulate skin repair and regeneration, reduce sun damage, and promote a more radiant complexion.

When shopping for a CoQ10 supplement, you’ll notice that it comes in one of two forms – either as ubiquinone, or ubiquinol. The primary difference between the two is that ubiquinol is the reduced form of CoQ10, whereas ubiquinone is the oxidized form.

So, what’s the best form of CoQ10? Generally speaking, since ubiquinone must be converted to ubiquinol to be absorbed and used, and since ubiquinol accounts for 90% of the CoQ10 in the blood, ubiquinol is typically the preferred form. This is especially true for those over age 40, as we tend to gradually lose our ability to effectively convert ubiquinone to ubiquinol during the aging process.

How much CoQ10 should I take? CoQ10 dosage

There are a wide range of possible dosages for CoQ10 – anywhere from 50–1,200 mg per day, though most supplements fall in the 100, 200, and 400 mg range.

The appropriate dose for you is largely a function of the purpose for which you are using it.

Generally speaking, for antiaging benefits, energy support, and overall health maintenance, a standard dose is typically in the 100-200 mg range. For mitochondrial dysfunction, cognitive health issues, and neurological benefits (including for the treatment of dementia, Alzheimer’s, and the like), as well as for boosting exercise performance, larger doses are typically called for.

Some of the best Coenzyme Q10 supplements in Canada include AOR CoQ10, and Natural Factors CoQ10, both of which are brands that offer CoQ10 in a range of different potencies to suit everyone’s unique needs, and that adhere to the strictest quality standards.

Final Thoughts on CoQ10 Supplements

CoQ10 makes a wonderful addition to your daily general health and wellness supplement regimen and can be especially important for those with pre-existing illness and degenerative health conditions. As a general rule of thumb, CoQ10 is ideal for anyone looking to improve heart health and blood sugar metabolism, as well as to help manage high blood pressure in those with diabetes.

While CoQ10 can be taken at pretty much any time of day, since it’s a fat-soluble nutrient it is best taken with a meal or a snack that contains some fat – to enhance absorption. In addition, because CoQ10 stimulates energy production taking it in the late afternoon or evening is likely not the best time, as it may have too much of a stimulatory effect.

Coenzyme Q10 supplements are generally well-tolerated, though some people may experience side effects such as GI upset (including nausea, heartburn, loss of appetite, diarrhea), headaches, insomnia, fatigue, dizziness, rash, and irritability. In such instances, discontinue use and consult your health care practitioner.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your practitioner prior to taking herbs or nutritional supplements.

Author Bio

Roos Jonsin is a Canadian naturopath and researcher dedicated to helping people live healthier lives through education about vitamins, herbs, and nutritional supplements.

Roos also consults with suppliers and manufacturers on product development and marketing. National Nutrition is Canada’s leading health & nutritional supplements store, also voted as the Best Health Food Store in Canada by the experts at Canadian Health Food Association.