by Lara Gladych –
Who do you turn to when you have a question? Is it Google or Siri, maybe Alexa? At Seaside Magazine we are fortunate to know local experts in all the fields (or we’ll know someone who knows someone), so next time you have a question, Ask Seaside! Each month I’ll take your quandaries and queries and do the research for you. Send your questions to news@seasidemagazine.ca.
Q: The recent sightings of the Royals and other celebrities on Horth Hill have made me want to know what are some other great hiking trails in and around Sidney?
A: “In order of increasing difficulty, these are some great options. Tod Inlet is an easy, shorter hike, located near Butchart Gardens. Round trip down to the inlet and back takes about an hour. John Dean Park, just five minutes from Sidney, is of moderate difficulty with varied terrain. There are many trails of various lengths to choose from, and the highlight is the beautiful view of the Saanich Peninsula and Gulf Islands from Pickles Bluff viewpoint. For those seeking a challenge there is Mount Work, about a 20-minute drive from Sidney, where you’ll find steep sections, a good 2.5 hours of hiking round trip, and an elevation gain of 230m. You’ll look down on Saanich Inlet from the viewpoint near the top. Dogs are to be on leash on all but the Mount Work trails.”
~ Colette Hopkins, local triathlete, trail runner and Team 4 Hope member
Q: Having just lost a dear friend to cancer and feeling such sadness and loss I wonder: how do others process their grief?
A: “Grief presents differently from one person to another, and the process of grieving is unique for everyone. Individuals can often feel alone when their grief doesn’t look the same as what others are experiencing. It’s important to give yourself permission to feel whatever you are feeling, and remember that there is a danger in suppressing whatever comes up with grief as you may lengthen the process by not acknowledging these feelings. Sharing with a counsellor or someone you trust will likely help normalize the feelings you are experiencing. Know that the intensity will vary from one day to the next. Lastly, postpone big decisions: focus on what you must do next. Be gracious, and allow yourself time to heal.”
~ Anne Brodbeck, Registered Therapeutic Counsellor at Streams Counselling
Q: “What is the best way to get a better sleep? Is there something I can eat or drink or do before retiring?”
A: “The biggest sleep-related problem for people right now is coming through the retina; blue LED and screen light is disrupting circadian rhythm. Be more mindful of screen time, especially after sundown. Blue-blocking lenses are helpful, as is breaking up your days with time spent outside. As far as what you can eat, concentrate on higher quality fats such as omega-3 from marine or vegan algal-based sources, and minimize refined foods for better blood sugar balance before bed. Imbalances in blood sugar at night will certainly lead to poor sleep quality. Magnesium is important in the evening, too, ideally in the form of an epsom salt bath, or in a high quality supplement when a bath isn’t practical. Because of our latitude we are at risk of vitamin D deficiency. Optimizing vitamin D levels, ideally early in the day, will assist in better sleep quality later on.”
~ Carmine Sparanese, Lifestyle Markets Sidney
