PNHC Holiday Shoe and Sock Drive

From November 20 – December 31, 2019, we will be running a shoe and sock drive at Plattsville Natural Health Clinic!

During this time of year, we want to take the opportunity to give generously to those in need by making use of one of our amazing services – Pedorthic Care through Danielle Molnar.

Bring in your USED shoes that you no longer need, and our Pedorthist Danielle will repair them where needed. Also bring in a NEW pair of socks to go with it.

Both the USED SHOES (that have been repaired) and the NEW SOCKS will be donated to a local homeless shelter or center for those in need.

Contact us today for more information on how you can contribute and be a part of this drive!

Thank you for your generosity, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us here at PNHC!

The 12 Days of Giveaways 2018!

Dr. Elisha Cook ND  and the Plattsville Natural Health Clinic team have so much to be thankful for and celebrate as we end the 2018 year. We want to express that gratitude by holding what we hope to be an annual 12 days of Giveaways and Patient Visit Draw. These contests are open to both patients and patrons of either clinic. One requires a patient visit and the other simply involves following us on facebook and the rules that apply there. Please see below for the details of both draws/giveaways.

Patient Visit Draw: During the month of December, any patient who has a Naturopathic visit (at either Meyers Chiropractic and Health Specialists in Woodstock or Plattsville Natural Health Clinic) will be entered into a draw for a basket full of naturopathic goodies! The draw ends December 31, 2018.

Facebook Giveaways – The 12 Days of Giveaways: Enter our facebook contest for the 12 days of giveaways by finding Dr. Elisha Cook Naturopathic Doctor (https://www.facebook.com/DrElishaCookND/ ) or Plattsville Natural Health Clinic (https://www.facebook.com/PlattsvilleNaturalHealthClinic/ ) on Facebook! We will be giving away a gift everyday for 12 days, all you need to do is like the facebook page, share the post of the day, and comment on the post. All three of these need to be done for a valid entry. The dates for this contest are as follows: December 3-7, 2018; December 10-14, 2018; and December 17-19, 2018

Please note that you must be a resident of Ontario Canada, residing between London Ontario and Guelph Ontario. You also must be able to claim your prize by coming directly to the Meyers Chiropractic Clinic OR Plattsville Natural Health Clinic to pick it up within 1 week of being notified that you have won. You must also contact Dr. Elisha Cook ND after being contacted regarding your win to confirm that you accept the draw prize. If you do not contact her within 24 hours of being notified of your win, the draw prize will be given to a subsequent winner. The prize is also not transferable or redeemable for the cash equivalent.

Thank you for the support over the last three years and I look forward to providing naturopathic health care to the Woodstock, Plattsville, and surrounding areas for years to come. – Dr. Elisha Cook ND

7 Tips to Stress-Less through the Holidays

ornamentThe holidays can be a very happy time, but it can also be very stressful. Many times we have such high expectations for ourselves and others, and over book and stretch ourselves thin that we are left feeling not so great. It is my hope that these tips would come to mind in those stressful moments during the holidays and help you work through them.

  1. Pace Yourself

Many times we are rushing to get so many tasks done in a certain amount of time. If you are lucky, you get all of those tasks done, but find yourself feeling physically and mentally wore out. This can even lead to pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and ultimately stress. To avoid this, focus on one task at a time, take your time, and take breaks. I find it easier if I make a list of everything that has to get done (this may not work for everyone), and focus on the main things that need to get accomplished. I also consider what things I could realistically not do if it is going to compromise my own care.

  1. Focus on what you Can Control

Let’s face it, control is such a nice thing to have. When everything works out exactly how we want and everyone says exactly what we want them to, then we are calm, cool and collected. Life seldom works like this though. What I often work on with patients is the piece of control. It is a good thing that you do not have control over everything. You have enough things on your plate, you do not need to control more things. So, focus on the things you can control, and leave the rest and let it go. An example of focusing on something you can control is, if you are stressed out, do some deep breathing and focus on your breath. You can control your breath, you can control your actions, you can control your words, and you can control your thoughts. Please note that deep breathing is not for everyone and you should consult your health care provider to get instructions on how to perform it as it may aggravate certain situations.

  1. Don’t Over-commit

Part of the stress of holidays can come from promising to be at certain events and promising to make more than we can really afford time-wise. Make a plan as to where you need to go, space out travelling when possible, and opt for simpler things to bring for food. If you know you are going to have to travel multiple times in one day, opt for a food item you can purchase at the store, for example a veggie tray. Another option is to offer your time or a service if making something or bringing something is too much. It is also okay to say “No”. You are not saying “No” to the task, but you are saying “No” to wearing yourself too thin.

  1. Self – Care

Often during this season we justify that, “If I can just make it through Christmas, then I will start eating better and exercising again”. It is best to do the self – care as per usual and make sure to incorporate it as often as possible to prevent burn out or stress. Self-care also provides an opportunity to check in with yourself and make sure you are following the rest of the tips on this list.

  1. Make Realistic Expectations

This is not just for yourself, but for others as well. When we keep expectations to ourselves and expect people to hold up to that expectation, we can often set them up for failure and potentially cause an argument. With this being said, I do not mean you need to simply just tell everyone that you expect a 5 course meal that only Martha Steward would approve of. What is does mean is to be realistic and to acknowledge that we are all human and trying our best. This mind set is important when considering your own to-do list as well. You are human and trying your best. Set some more realistic expectations for yourself and check in, “Why am I stressing out? Is this a realistic expectation? Is it worth the stress?”.

  1. Budget

As soon as I mention budget, I know that some people are rolling their eyes or running for the hills. Budget does not just mean money, but also time. Again, be realistic with your time, and budget it accordingly. In addition, financial stress is one of the biggest stressors out there; so budget for the holidays, plan for it, save for it, and stick to your budget. Discuss financial decisions as a family, and do not make outrageous purchases without discussing with your spouse if that fits with both of your expectations and plans.

  1. Moderation

As always, moderation is important. Too much or too little of something may not be the best thing. Moderation can dive into the areas of meals, exercise, time, and even the amount of get-togethers. With meals in particular, make sure to portion yourself and not stray too much from your normal eating patterns. If you do, you may feel less than comfortable and this can even contribute to stress. When considering exercise, consider when we discussed self – care and making sure to incorporate that time for you. For time, again pace yourself, do not over-commit and say no when necessary.

Have you benefited from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact Dr. Elisha Cook ND by calling 519-537-7058 and book your appointment today!