The Quality End-of-Life Care Coalition of Canada acknowledges the grief that many have experienced during the pandemic

OTTAWA, ON, Dec. 18, 2020 /CNW/ - Many Canadians are experiencing grief due to the loss of their loved ones, but for a lot of us, grief also stems from the loss of our normal pre-COVID lifestyle and the loss of human contact. The Quality End-of-Life Care Coalition of Canada (QELCCC) would like to bring this discussion to the forefront of Canadians' minds, and support Canadians as they grieve this holiday season. 

QELCCC supports and normalizes the conversation that grief and bereavement is a part of life. The Coalition encourages Canadians to share their stories. In addition, the Coalition is proud to provide a list of resources and tools to help Canadians throughout their grief journeys. 

"The holiday season can be a particularly hard time of year for people mourning the loss of someone they love and the added loss of connections as a result of the pandemic can compound that grief," says Helena Sonea, Senior Manager, Advocacy at the Canadian Cancer Society and Chair of the Advocacy Committee at the Coalition.  "It can help to find ways to connect with others virtually, to talk about the grief you're experiencing and to access resources that help you sort through the grieving process. Most importantly, know that you are not alone, and that support is available."

The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA) serves as the Secretariat for the Quality End-of-life Care Coalition of Canada. Sharon Baxter, Executive Director, CHPCA, and member of the Coalition Executive Committee says, "grieving is hard work under normal circumstances, and the pandemic has made normal bereavement very challenging. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the way we are able to grieve, mourn and receive support."

Grief is a natural, normal and necessary journey when a loved one passes away. "We all handle bereavement and grief differently and helping Canadians understand this would go a long way to improving the end of one's life for dying Canadians, their family caregivers and other loved ones" added Sharon Baxter.

Everyone grieves differently. This is apparent when looking at the differences in grief patterns across the gender spectrum. Gender norms and expectations may impact the manner in which people cope. 

Although life changing and at times overwhelming, most people successfully make their way through grief. Current research indicates that only 2-3% of people worldwide will experience a disabling form of grief known as complicated or prolonged grief¹. 

If you are struggling this holiday, the Quality End-of-Life Care Coalition of Canada is thinking of you and hope you can find peace this holiday season. At this trying time, we might be physically distant, but we are emotionally, spiritually and socially connected through our grief.

About the Quality End-of-Life Care Coalition of Canada (QELCCC) 

The Quality End-of-Life Care Coalition of Canada (QELCCC) is a group of 35 national organizations dedicated to improving palliative care for all Canadians. The Coalition believes that all Canadians have the right to quality hospice palliative care. To achieve this, there must be a well-funded, sustainable national strategy for hospice palliative care. It is the mission of the QELCCC to work together in partnership to achieve this goal.

BACK SAVING TIPS FOR  PANDEMIC HOLIDAY ROAD TRIPS 

www.nynjspine.com

More than 115 million people took road trips to visit loved ones last holiday season. That was pre-Covid. This year, exponentially more people will be driving long distances in cars to avoid crowded airports and airplanes. There are folks who might be driving cross country or down the northeast coast and spending in excess of 10 hours in a cramped car. Even for those who don’t normally have back pain, this type of situation can cause it. 

Below are some tips from NYC Area Orthopedic and Spinal Surgeon Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo on avoiding or mitigating back pain while driving this holiday season. 

Get comfortable immediately

Take the time to make sure you're comfortable from the moment you set off on your trip. Discomfort at the beginning of your trip can turn into nagging pain later.

Keep your back pockets empty. 

Sitting on your wallet, phone, or anything else may throw your spine out of alignment.

Mind your posture 

Position your knees slightly higher than your hips, and keep your chin pulled in so that your head sits straight on top of your spine.

Sit a comfortable distance from the steering wheel.

Sit with your breastbone at least 10 inches from the steering wheel, and keeping your hands on the wheel at 9 and 3 (the sides rather than the top of the wheel). But don’t sit too far away either, which can cause you to reach too far for the wheel and places more stress on the lumbar spine, neck, shoulder, and wrists.

Shift in your seat periodically 

When possible, try to move a little in your seat. Even 10 seconds of movement and stretching is preferable than sitting still. At a minimum adjust your seat and change your position slightly every 15 to 20 minutes. Pump your ankles to keep the blood flowing and provide a slight stretch in your hamstring muscles. Any movement that is safe to do in the car will help you alleviate back strain. 

Make your ride as smooth as possible

Bumps in the road can jar your spine and increase pain. For a smoother ride, consider:

Aim for a Smooth Ride 

Replacing worn shocks to limit the bounce in the car

Replacing worn tires to reduce vibration or shaking

Sit on a car seat pillow or coccyx cushion to provide more padding between you and the road.

Move yourself

Sitting in one position in a car will stiffen up your back muscles and can lead to achiness and possibly muscle spasms. Everyone should ideally take at least a 15-minute break for every 2 hours of driving. If you’re prone to back pain, you may want to take breaks more frequently, such as every 30 to 60 minutes.

What to do if you’re in pain 

Cold therapy can help reduce inflammation and swelling. Consider bringing a cooler to store reusable ice packs or other cold therapy packs. 

Heat therapy can help increase blood flow and relax the muscles. Various types of heat therapy are available to buy, such as heat wraps or heat pads.

Note about application: It is recommended to apply ice or heat for only 15 or 20 minutes at a time, then give your skin a rest to recover for at least a couple of hours before the next application.

About the Doctor

Gbolahan Okubadejo, MD, FAAOS, leads The Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care, with offices in the greater New York City area, as a spinal and orthopedic surgeon. Board-certified and fellowship-trained, Dr. Okubadejo specializes in the treatment of degenerative spinal disease, spinal deformity, and cervical, lumbar, and thoracic conditions.

Dr. Okubadejo earned his undergraduate degree at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and his medical degree at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. He completed his internship and orthopedic surgery residency at Barnes-Jewish Hospital at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Dr. Okubadejo completed a spinal surgery fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pittsburgh.

Dr. Okubadejo is a published research author and has presented his findings at several major spinal conferences around the globe. While a surgical resident, he won the Leonard Marmor Surgical Arthritis Foundation Resident Award for the best research project.

In 2017, Dr. Okubadejo formed company 360 Dynamized Core, which is focused on creating innovative, spine safe core fitness products and routines. The first patented product, 360

CoreBoard, launched to the market in 2020. Find out more at 360coreboard.com

Dr. Okubadejo believes in the power of preventive care, minimally invasive surgical procedures, open communication with patients, and personalized care. When he’s not caring for patients, he enjoys traveling, learning about different cultures and the arts, and playing golf.

123Dentist Gives UBC Faculty of Dentistry $1.25 Million Reasons to Smile

VANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 18, 2020 /CNW/ - 123Dentist, Canada's largest majority dentist-owned network of dental practices, is pleased to announce a $1.25 million donation to the University of British Columbia Faculty of Dentistry to advance the future of dentistry.  As leaders in dental education, UBC Dentistry is committed to providing advanced opportunities for students and building capacity for the school.  

The Nobel BioCare Oral Health Centre currently serves over 38,000 patient visits annually and supports the educational training of over 400 undergraduate and graduate students in clinical programs.  Given the increase in student applications as well as fulfilling growing patient oral health, the Faculty recognized the need to expand the Centre.  At the same time, the leadership team had been working on plans to create a new simulation and digital dentistry laboratory to transform their dental education by enhancing the clinical teaching experience through state-of-the-art technology.  Thanks to the generous gift from 123Dentist, the Faculty is able to fulfill this need by building a new Simulation and Digital Dentistry Laboratory.  

The new Simulation and Digital Dentistry Laboratory will provide a progressive learning environment that will allow students to learn complex clinical procedures using technologically advanced patient simulators and acquire the knowledge and specialized skillset of digital dentistry. The vision for this initiative required a substantial investment to enhance the Faculty's curriculum model and the right partner who shared the commitment to providing the very best in dental education.  "The costs to outfit the new laboratory were significant and required the right partner who envisioned both immediate and long-term benefits for students and the future of dental education.  123Dentist was the right partner that matched our vision, values and goals.  This $1.25 million gift is significant.  In fact, I believe it is the single largest donation to any Canadian University by a Dental Services Organization in Canada" shared Dr. Mary MacDougall, Dean of the UBC Faculty of Dentistry.   One afternoon in December last year, Dean MacDougall met with UBC Dentistry alumnus and CEO of 123Dentist, Dr. Amin Shivji, and shared the vision to create a state-of-the-art simulation & digital dentistry laboratory within the current footprint of the John B. MacDonald Building.  After reviewing with the 123Dentist board of directors, the response came quickly - a commitment of $1.25 million gift was announced to support the laboratory, as well as create a unique student lecture series to provide access to qualified expert speakers.

"123Dentist is committed to providing access to the very best patient dental care to communities across Canada. Vancouver is our home base and the UBC Faculty of Dentistry has always been an important part of our vision.  When Dean MacDougall shared her plan and our shared values of quality dental education, it was a natural fit. This is the largest single donation 123Dentist has made to a University so far.  It reflects our dedication to students and to our profession.  On behalf of all our partners, we are very proud to contribute to the future of dentistry and support the next generation of dental students in this way." added Dr. Amin Shivji. 

"We continue to look forward to be leaders for our students and faculty. This commitment from 123Dentist is an incredible gift that will support the UBC Faculty of Dentistry to be progressive and dynamic in our educational model. I am so proud to have one of our own alumni champion this donation." Dean MacDougall shared.  The vision is to begin initial refurbishing construction of the space in the summer of 2021. The 123Dentist Lecture series is projected to launch the fall of 2021 and will be open to students, faculty and staff.   

About Dr. Amin Shivji
Dr. Amin Shivji was born in Africa and moved to Vancouver in 1973. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 1989 with a BSc in Biology and entered the Faculty of Dentistry at UBC, graduating in 1993.  Dr. Shivji is the CEO and Co-Founder of 123Dentist national platform and an experienced operator and leader of dental practices, having opened his first practice in Vancouver in 1993.

About 123Dentist
The 123Dentist national platform was launched in July 2017 which was an evolution of a longstanding community network of dental practices that started in Vancouver in 1993.   It is now Canada's largest majority dentist-owned network of dental practices with over 200 practices across the country and support centres in Vancouver and Toronto.  123Dentist enables dentists to focus on providing optimal care to their patients, while an experienced team provides a wide range of support services. 123Dentist offers alternative partnership models to meet the unique needs of each individual dentist, including the opportunity to retain a minority interest. For additional information, dentists can visit doctors.123dentist.com and patients can learn more at 123dentist.com.

About University of British Columbia, Faculty of Dentistry
The University of British Columbia Faculty of Dentistry is located at the western tip of the Point Grey Peninsula in the city of Vancouver. UBC Dentistry is on a mission to advance oral health through outstanding education, research, and community engagement. As the number one ranked dental faculty in Canada, we are a committed partner in the education and training of our students to become oral healthcare professionals. Our goal is to help students stay current with emerging technological advancements by integrating digital technology, foster them to develop critical thinking skills and appreciate the importance of lifelong learning, and support them to participate in research activities as well as local, national, and international service-learning programs. Our graduates are prepared for diverse roles in society that include clinical practice, public health advocates, and academia such as education and research.

SOURCE 123Dentist

The Foundation teams up with Sun Life to get youth active

MONTREAL, Dec. 17, 2020 /CNW/ - The Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation announced earlier today that it is partnering with Sun Life until the end of the 2021-22 season to activate and expand its introductory ball hockey program in schools across Quebec. Built for 3^rd- and 4^th-grade students in communities where BLEU BLANC BOUGE outdoor rinkshave been built, this program has, since its creation in 2016, aimed to teach underprivileged youth the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle through ball hockey activities.

Sun Life serves as the presenting sponsor of the Foundation's BLEU BLANC BOUGE Ball Hockey Program, representing a financial contribution of $450,000 over three years. The support provided by Sun Life will help implement the program in six regions in the province, namely in Montreal, Laval and Montérégie initially, and then in Estrie, Lanaudière and Mauricie. Sessions will now be deployed in the fall, winter and spring seasons in 11 communities throughout the province, allowing more than 1,900 children to learn the fundamentals of ball hockey and develop new motor and social skills through June 2022. 

"The Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation is proud to work with a partner like Sun Life, who firmly believes in the benefits of physical activity and of a healthy lifestyle," said Geoff Molson, owner, president and CEO of the Montreal Canadiens and member of the Foundation's board. "Thanks to their support and generosity, we are able to offer the children of our BLEU BLANC BOUGE communities an active, fun and educational program, which will eventually grow to reach hundreds of children across Quebec." 

Thanks to this initiative, 517 youngsters from the Greater Montreal area took part in this six-week health and well-being program this past fall. Each of the nine participating schools also received a complete set of ball hockey equipment, including hockey sticks, goalie equipment, nets, balls and eye protection. As a result of this donation, schools will be able to pursue their own programs moving forward, making it possible for students from every grade to benefit from it. 

A new health-related theme is introduced at each program session, allowing children to discuss a variety of topics such as nutrition, physical activity, sleep and relaxation. An activity book on healthy lifestyles is also provided to all participating children to reinforce what they've learned and further deepen their knowledge on these subjects in class, inspiring them to take concrete actions to improve their physical and mental health on a daily basis.

With this new partnership with the Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation, Sun Life reaffirms their commitment to supporting prevention and awareness programs focused on health and wellness, with the goal of fostering healthier, sustainable communities. By focusing on teamwork and fun, the program aims to equip youth in underserved communities with essential tools and life skills to help encourage them to make healthy lifestyle choices and live a fuller, more active life, thus protecting them against diabetes and other chronic diseases.  

"The pandemic has shone a spotlight on the extraordinary work of our community foundations and agencies. And a program like BLEU BLANC BOUGE is more relevant than ever now that health has become everyone's priority! This initiative aligns with our commitment to give people the tools they need to take charge of their health. I'm pleased that our support for the Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation has given children a chance to be active and learn about healthy habits. After months of being kept home, the few hours the children spent with the trainers couldn't have come at a better time," said Robert Dumas, president and chief executive officer of Sun Life Quebec.

Being overweight, obese, or having a sedentary lifestyle are key risk factors for type 2 diabetes, which, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada, disproportionately affects socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, as well as certain ethnic communities. Statistics also show children from low-income families or from visible minority groups are less physically active than other youth their age, being three times more likely to have never participated in organized sports. However, it has been proven that with exercise and a good diet, it is possible to prevent and even reverse a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.

About the Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation 

The Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation is a non-profit organization that encourages physical activity and the adoption of a healthy lifestyle among underprivileged youth aged 4 to 17 years old. Since its inception in August 2000, the Foundation has invested over $32 million in the community. The Foundation fulfills its mandate in two ways: first, through a unique flagship project – the BLEU BLANC BOUGE program – which consists of building and activating community refrigerated and multisport rinks; secondly, by providing financial support to more than 870 charitable endeavours, working for the well-being of the most vulnerable children across the province of Quebec, whose projects and programs enable children to adopt healthy lifestyles by being more active. For more information, visit foundation.canadiens.com. 

For information:

Paul Wilson
514-925-7889

Charles Saindon-Courtois
514-575-3274

Guillaume Ouimet
514-925-2176

SOURCE Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation

Ontario's doctors call for wider lockdown to stop spread of COVID over holidays

TORONTO, Dec. 17, 2020 /CNW/ - Ontario's doctors are calling for a lockdown of the entire Greater Toronto and Hamilton area until after New Year's in an effort to stop the alarming rise in COVID cases that threaten to overwhelm hospitals and other health-care services.

If COVID numbers continue to rise, doctors say Premier Doug Ford should also extend the winter school break that begins Friday.

"We supported the government's decision to move Peel, Toronto, York and Windsor into lockdown, hoping that limiting restrictions to these hotspots would be sufficient," said Dr. Samantha Hill, president of the Ontario Medical Association. "But we're seeing a lot of transmission across regions. Some of it is because essential workers must go to their jobs in the health-care, transportation and food production industries. Unfortunately, some of it is also people crossing into areas with looser restrictions for non-essential reasons such as shopping, hair cuts and social visits."

Another record 2,432 confirmed cases of COVID were reported in Ontario today and the latest worst-case modelling says that number could rise to 10,000 a day in January. Hospitals are already preparing for a surge in cases over the holidays and doctors are worried about whether there will be enough resources to care for everybody.

Doctors working on the front lines of the pandemic appeal to all Ontarians to do their part to celebrate the holidays safely; this means staying home and only with members of their own households. The best way to stop the rise in COVID cases is to follow public health guidelines, including handwashing, wearing a mask and observing physical distancing, and to get vaccinated as soon as supplies become more widely available.

Doctors also recommend the government make the difficult decision to extend the winter break for students in regions that are in lockdown as another way to stop the spread of COVID. Keeping children in schools is important for their mental health and social development. But targeted testing in high-risk schools has found high levels of the virus. While many children may be asymptomatic, they are spreading the virus to others in the community who are getting sick, sometimes critically.

"This is not the holiday season any of us wanted or had hoped for," said OMA CEO Allan O'Dette. "Vaccines are on the way. But in the meantime, we all have a part to play in ending this pandemic so we can all return to work and school. Protecting our own health is the first step to restoring economic health."

Here are the top five things doctors recommend you can do to protect yourselves and others:

• Wash your hands often. 
• Wear a mask or face covering at all times, unless you are at home with housemates or outdoors at a guaranteed two metres' distance from others. 
• Stay away from crowded places. 
• Celebrate or gather only with members of your household. Don't invite others into your home. 
• Prepare for contact tracing if you get COVID-19. Download the COVID Alert app and/or keep track of where you go and when.

About the OMA

The Ontario Medical Association represents Ontario's 43,000-plus physicians, medical students and retired physicians, advocating for and supporting doctors while strengthening the leadership role of doctors in caring for patients. Our vision is to be the trusted voice in transforming Ontario's health-care system.

SOURCE Ontario Medical Association

The 12 Hottest Wellness Destinations to Travel in 2021

Health and Fitness Travel, the wellness holiday specialists has compiled a second to none list of health and fitness retreats to cater for each month of the 2021 calendar, with the specific purpose of remedying the aftermath of what has been an immensely challenging year for all. Predicting a major surge for holiday bookings in 2021, global travel has never been more eagerly anticipated, so discover the perfect month by month travel guide for those seeking wellness in 2021.

2020 had lots of ups and downs regarding travelling - everyone was affected in some manner by Covid-19, the virus itself, lifestyle changes, mental health, weight fluctuation, perhaps a mixture of many of these. However, with a vaccine so close, 2021 is set to be a sensational return to normality, with many craving and deserving of a wellness retreat to blow off some steam, indulge themselves and rejuvenate their being.

Perhaps an adventure sailing in the Maldives over summer or a full medical reboot in the Philippines this spring? A British detox at the beginning of the year to start it right, or even a Greek escape tailored to romance? Whatever is needed, this list provides an outlet for everyone that has a thirst for escapism, renewal, and serenity.

January: The Detox Retreat: The Glass House Retreat , UK

Start the year off right with a thorough detox surrounded by acres of sweeping fields in a state-of-the-art wellness facility, less than an hour from London. A contemporary marvel, The Glass House Retreat offers a thorough and invigorating detox retreat to help beat the lockdown blues. Expect a full-body composition analysis with bespoke goal evaluations, cryotherapy, deep tissue massages as well as a choice of three full board interchangeable dietary plans to achieve your targets. With this, The Glass House also boasts a dedicated team of spa therapists, reiki practitioners, personal trainers and a Colonic Hydrotherapist.

Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891, healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 5 nights at The Glass House from £1,120pp or £1,400 for single occupancy. Price includes a full board diet plan and a detox programme.

February: The Relaxing Romantic Retreat at Casale Panayiotis, Cyprus

February, the month of romance! Why not celebrate your love against a backdrop of pine-covered mountains, a turquoise winding river and beautiful gardens with a distinct sense of privacy? Casale Panayiotis has a bespoke Spa and Wellness programme divided into three lists that create a romantic getaway with a personal touch. A fusion of traditional and modern treatments includes: Chromatherapy, a sulphur spring ritual, and even an Indian head massage to ignite the spark in your romance after a dreary 2020. To top it off, booking with Health & Fitness Travel grants a free room upgrade (subject to availability) and a bottle of wine to share overlooking the stunning panoramic views together. 

Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891, healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 7 nights at Casale Panayiotis from £1,170pp or £1,425 for single occupancy. Price includes breakfast, a Spa & Wellness programme and return private transfers.

March: Put a Spring in Your Step at The Fit Retreat, Spain

Springtime, the period of rebirth and creation, the perfect time create a new fitness driven way of life after being locked inside! On the sun-soaked isle of La Palma, amongst palm trees, volcanoes and white sand beaches resides Fit Retreat which offers a wellness programme that champions physical and mental health above all else. Daily routines include expert-led workout sessions leading to diverse activity sessions such as volcano hiking or paddle boarding until finally powering down at the end of the day with mindful yoga and a relaxing full body massage. However, this newfound fitness-centric life doesn’t have leave you in La Palma! Booking with Health  and Fitness Travel provides an exclusive home workout programme. 

Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891, healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 7 nights at Fit Retreat from £1,155pp or £1,345 for single occupancy. Price includes full board (5 nights), a fitness programme and return private transfers.

April: Swap April Showers for Mind & Body Empowerment at Bliss Body Retreat, Bali

No April fools here, only spirituality on this holistic escape to Bliss Body Retreat. As much as 2020 took a toll on society’s physical health, it also dealt a serious blow to mental health. Whilst there is never an easy fix, the Divine Body programme has an innate focus on mental wellbeing and strengthening your fortitude with personal spirituality sessions, guided chakra meditation, profound yoga, and pranayama, as well as a complimentary Spa treatment with Health and Fitness Travel. Alongside this, enjoy a gourmet full board plan that nourishes you cutting out caffeine and alcohol.

Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891, healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 7 nights at Fit Retreat from £2,000pp or £2,770 for single occupancy. Price includes full board (6 nights), a wellness programme and return private transfers.

May: The Mindful May Getaway at: The Farm, The Philippines

With Summer around the corner, this Philippines’ weight focused retreat is the perfect time to assess your lifestyle and habits with professional guidance to optimise your wellbeing. Know exactly where your health stands after a peculiar year surrounded in a tropical paradise at the base of Mount Malarayat with Weight Management at The Farm. Undergo bespoke fitness, dental and nutritional assessments, a cellular health screening and blood chemistry. This medical approach is partnered with wellness treatments, including traditional acupuncture, Aqua slimming therapy, a Hilot massage and even a Kidney cleansing wrap to rectify the physical problems that 2020 caused.

Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891, healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 6 nights at The Farm from £2,475pp or £3,280 for single occupancy. Price includes full board, a wellness programme and return private transfers.

June: Enhance Your Beauty at Lefay Dolomiti, Italy

Amid blissful summer, not far from Romeo and Juliet’s Verona lies Lefay Dolomiti; a brand-new state-of-the-art retreat with an intrinsic focus on wellness. Surrounded by crystal lakes, lush forests and snow-capped mountains, this exquisite escape has a specific programme designed to unlock your true beauty. With a rigorous skincare routine, let your face glow with HydraFacial MD Treatments, Oxygen Therapy Intraceuticals and a chestnut flowers scrub with alpine salt and traditional alpine butter. With this, Health and Fitness Travel provides exclusive free access to Salt Lake 'La Luna nel Lago' and VIP arrival with Fruit Juices and a fresh fruit platter waiting for you. 

Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891, healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 3 nights at Lefay Dolomiti from £1,920pp or £2,205 for single occupancy. Price includes breakfast a beauty programme and return private transfers.

July: Set Sail for Summer with a Maldives Sailing Tour

Ahoy, it’s time to set sail on this exhilarating adventure to one the most sought-after corners of the globe! The Maldives are as close to paradise as you can get, and you can explore them in up to a group of eight embarking on a heavily modernised Maldivian fishing boat complete with its very own crew. A Captain, local guide, local chef, and two deckhands to boot will take care of your party’s every need as you focus on the adventure ahead. Snorkelling gear is provided for you to dive into the teal waters and explore the vibrant coral reefs, or perhaps sit up on deck basking under the sun? The trip’s route will also visit isolated tropical islands, where you can have your very own slice of perfection on the pristine white sands.

Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891, healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers a 6-day tour with Sailing Tours - Maldives from £1,410pp. Price includes full board, a crew and return private transfers.

August: An Active August at La Palma & Teneguia Princess, La Palma

To set the tone and scale of La Palma & Teneguia Princess, know that they have not 1, not 3, not 5 but 7 swimming pools! This tropical paradise is home to volcanoes, lagoons and pristine beaches offers a fantastic programme blending wellness and fitness together. Enjoy an immense range of complimentary fitness classes instructed by expert PTs that offer a mixture of core, cardio, weightlifting, and even blissful Yoga. Balance your fitness with laps of La Palma’s thermal spa circuit as well as aromatherapy and aloe vera infused massages.

Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891, healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 7 nights at La Palma & Teneguia Princess from £935pp or £1,100 for single occupancy. Price includes half board, an active programme and return private transfers.

September: A Late Summer Secret at Lily of the Valley, France

Perched on the French Riviera, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea rests Lily of the Valley. With gorgeous architecture, this retreat offers a perfect late summer escape as the Gulf Stream still offers stunning weather even in late September! The wellness programme provides a complete reboot, blending medical, therapeutical, beauty and sport sessions for a fully comprehensive getaway. Enjoy Sport or energy art sessions, INDIBA detox radiofrequency treatment, HydraFacial treatment, Ayurvedic massages and much more. Alongside this, booking with Health and Fitness Travel gets you a specifically tailored personal massage too.

Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891, healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 7 nights at Lily of the Valley from £4,970pp or £6,075 for single occupancy. Price includes full board, a wellness programme and return private transfers.

October: The European Fitness Break at Vilnius Grand Resort, Lithuania

Amongst the Lithuanian landscape, upon a 900-acre estate and a short drive from the capital city, resides Vilnius Grand Resort. Get your sweat on with the Fusion Fitness™ programme to blow off some steam in style whilst also taking a moment to pause and renew. This programme is particularly relevant if you are recovering from an injury as Vilnius’s Pendex® Gym uses technology and analytical software to find the exact exercises to recover individually specific injuries. Expect a bountiful amount of exercise activities including functional, core and strength training, aqua aerobics as well as a golf lesson! However, it isn’t all-out exertion all the time! Calming oil massages, Reflexology and nourishing body scrubs offer the perfect antidote to aching muscles! 

Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891, healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 7 nights at Vilnius Grand Resort from £974pp or £757 for single occupancy. Price includes breakfast, a fitness programme and return private transfers.

November: The Immunity Boosting Retreat at RAKxa Hotel, Thailand

Rakxa somehow manages to feel quietly isolated amongst the greenery whilst only being across the Chao Phraya River from the bustling city of Bangkok. This wellness retreat has an intrinsic dedication to medical health and boosting the immune system. Their Gut Health programme is a comprehensive experience to restore and improve your gut’s flora, imperative to good health. A thorough anti-inflammatory meal plan, with tailored consultations with Doctors, and detailed medical evaluations are twinned with traditional Shirodhara, acupuncture and pranayama for a complete overhaul to strengthen your immune system and encourage a healthy gut.  

Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891, healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 7 nights at RAKxa Hotel from £13,505pp or £12,193 for single occupancy. Price includes full board, a health programme and return private transfers.

December: The Luxury Wellness Break at Gleneagles, UK

Deck the halls with boughs of holiday! Set amongst rustic sweeping highlands, this opulent Manor house has an 850-acre estate filled with activities and experiences for you to enjoy! This programme is perfect for the festive period as it gives you free reign of what you want out of your trip whether that be adventure, fitness, rejuvenation or a combination! You could spend Christmas at Andre Farlie, the only Michelin 2-star restaurant in the entirety of Scotland, or perhaps wrapping up and trying the PGA golf courses? Booking with Health and Fitness Travel offers a room to room or suite to suite upgrade, subject to availability!

Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891, healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 2 nights at Gleneagles from £1,320pp. Price includes breakfast and an experience programme.

For advice, guidance and booking visit https://www.healthandfitnesstravel.com/wellness-holidays or call 0203 397 8891

-Ends-

For further information and hi-res imagery please email abbey@healthandfitnesstravel.comor call 0203 397 8891.

Notes to Editors:

About Health and Fitness Travel

Health and Fitness Travel is a global luxury wellness travel company that originated in the UK in 2010 and is committed to providing healthy holidays that enhance and change lives. Created by Paul Joseph as a result of his passion for health and fitness travel and offering bespoke holidays to improve people’s well-being to lead happier and healthier lives.

Health and Fitness Travel offers clients a tailor-made seamless service with the very best health and fitness holidays, handpicked by its expert team, together with exclusive and added value packages with the best deals. As leading specialists, Health and Fitness Travel has also created their own collection of trademark healthy holidays in various destinations which include Fusion Fitness™, Mindful Triathlon™, BodyBreaks™ and Discover Recover™, offering clients the best value and holiday experience. For more information visit: www.healthandfitnesstravel.com  

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Tips for Sticking to and Accomplishing Your Fitness Goals for the New Year

The New Year is a great time to set some fitness goals. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to accomplish them if you don’t do some things to set yourself up for success. These tips can help you stick to and accomplish your fitness goals for the New Year.

Make the Time for It

You’ll never meet your fitness goals if you don’t set aside time for them. You may need to get up early to exercise before you head to work, or you might need to set aside time to exercise in the evenings before dinner. Whenever you decide to exercise, you need to carve out the time and don’t commit to anything else.

Set Up Fitness Training

If you’ve struggled with accomplishing your fitness goals in the past, you may find it very beneficial to set up fitness training. A trainer can teach you the best ways to exercise, and they can encourage you to stick to your goals. They will provide you with the accountability you need in order to not give up when the going gets tough.

Get Support

Sticking to and accomplishing your fitness goals will be hard work. Because of this, you need to get support. Find a buddy to exercise with so that you can support each other. If you can’t find anyone to work on fitness goals with you, then you may want to turn to online support. You can join a fitness related social media page, or find an online fitness forum. Even complete strangers can provide you with the support you need during this time.

Create Small Goals

Many individuals get discouraged along the way because they create goals that are too large, and not really achievable. You can keep this from happening by creating small goals that you will be able to achieve. Make it a goal to exercise several times a week without fail. You can always create larger goals in the future if you find that you're able to achieve your current goals fairly easily.

You don’t have to give up on fitness and being healthy just because you’ve struggled with these types of goals in the past. This can be the year that you get healthy and in shape. By utilizing the above tips, you can accomplish all of your fitness goals in the New Year that you’ve struggled with in the past.

GENETIC TESTING KITS FOR HOLIDAY GIVING??—BEWARE OF PRIVACY RISKS, TEST VARIATIONS AND INCORRECT ASSUMPTIONS

New Survey Shows Significant Misunderstanding of Results and a Lack of Consumer Information and Privacy Protections

Washington, D.C. — Today, the Consumer Federation of America is releasing a national consumer survey demonstrating that the assumptions most consumers make about direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic tests and what may happen with their personal information are simply wrong. “The survey confirms our concerns that consumers may not be getting what they think they are,” said Susan Grant, CFA’s Director of Consumer Protection and Privacy. On November 30^th CFA released a report based on a study of six popular DTC genetic testing companies. As part of the study, Ms. Grant took the basic ancestry tests from 23andMe, Ancestry, FamilyTreeDNA, HomeDNA, LivingDNA, and MyHeritage. CFA staff analyzed the companies’ advertisements, website claims, marketing practices, terms of service and privacy policies, and researched applicable law. The study found that the results of these tests vary from company to company and are limited in ways consumers might not realize, important information is buried in the terms of service, and there are significant privacy concerns. To determine consumers’ knowledge about DTC genetic testing, CFA then conducted a national survey. 

Over three-quarters (77 percent) of respondents had heard of DTC genetic tests, with more than two-thirds of respondents in each demographic having heard of the tests. Those who had heard of these tests were asked to answer eight true or false questions.^[i]

1.     The federal government must approve all direct-to-consumer genetic tests before they can be put on the market. Forty-four percent incorrectly said this was true. The Food and Drug Administration only requires pre-market approval for certain types of health risks tests, not for tests regarding ancestry, personal traits and general wellness.

2.     Regardless of which direct-to-consumer genetic testing company you use, the results of a test about where your ancestors came from will be the same. Sixty percent incorrectly said this was true. The results of ancestry tests vary from one company to another because each company compares an individual’s genetic data to that of other customers in its database, using its own proprietary formula to estimate where the person’s ancestors likely originated. 

3.     The results of a direct-to-consumer genetic test for ancestry or health could change after you’ve received them. Only 50 percent correctly answered that this was true.The results of these tests can change as DTC genetic testing companies amass more data and as research provides more information. 

4.     Direct-to-consumer genetic health tests can determine if you will develop certain diseases. Sixty-six percent incorrectly said this was true. DTC genetic tests may indicate the possibility of developing certain diseases, but are not intended to be used for diagnosis because the results may be wrong and other factors, such as lifestyle and environment, can contribute to a person’s health.  

5.     Direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies can legally share your test results with other companies except for health insurers and employers. Less than half, 45 percent, correctly answered that this was true. Since federal law bars only health insurers and employers from obtaining and using individuals’ genetic data, DTC genetic testing companies can legally share customers’ genetic information with other types of companies for marketing and other purposes. Only a handful of states have laws that provide broader protections for access and use of this kind of information.

6.     The results of direct-to-consumer genetic tests for ancestry include information such as the addresses where your ancestors lived, their occupations, and other details about them. Nearly half, 49 percent, incorrectly said this was true. This kind of information is not included in basic ancestry tests. Some DTC genetic testing companies provide access to historical documents as an upgrade or additional service, for an added charge.

7.     The results of a direct-to-consumer genetic test will include a list of all of your living relatives based on your DNA. Again, nearly half, 49 percent, incorrectly said this was true. DTC genetic testing companies can only provide possible DNA matches to other people who have also taken their tests.  

8.     Direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies can give your data to law enforcement agencies without a court order. Only 41 percent correctly answered that this is true. Each DTC genetic testing company has its own policy for whether and under what circumstances it will provide customers’ personal information to law enforcement.

“It’s clear that consumers need better information about how these services work,” said Grant. “We also need to enact laws at the state and federal level to provide the limits that people believe already exist for sharing and using their personal information.” CFA’s report made several recommendations for DTC genetic testing companies and policymakers to improve consumer disclosures and protections.

“Before people buy these tests for themselves or as gifts, there are many things they should consider, including the limits of the information these tests provide, the possibility of results that are unexpected and unwelcome, and the privacy implications.” CFA has created tipsto help consumers weigh the benefits and risks of DTC genetic testing. 

The Consumer Federation of America is an association of more than 250 nonprofit consumer organizations that was established in 1968 to advance the consumer interest through research, advocacy, and education.