This is our last Digital Care Package of 2020 and I hope it provides tools to help bring comfort, nervous system regulation, nourishment and an opportunity to consider those who are far less resourced, esp now that we are living through the double whammy of our first pandemic winter.
We hope you and your loved ones stay healthy, of course, but also engaged, curious and positive. It’s crazy out there and it is constructive to counter all of the tragedy and negativity in the world by taking stock of what we are grateful for. Some of us are doing OK and some of us are not, but regardless of this, we are all interconnected whether we are aware of it or not.
As in the words of Canada’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Teresa Tam, “This pandemic has demonstrated that inequities in our society place some populations — and ultimately, all Canadians at risk. No one is protected from the risk of COVID-19 until everyone is protected.”
Our thoughts are with you all and most importantly for those who cannot be joined by their loved ones during the holidays, such as our elders in care homes as well as our homeless populations without a safe roof over their heads or knowing where their next meal will come from.
We send courage, safety and kindness as we bid 2020 farewell.
- A library of online self-health resources courtesy of Vancouver Coastal Health,
whatever your mental health concern, self-help is an excellent way to get started. Work through these free courses at your own pace. You’ll need to work on and off your computer to really see results. - A good time to reshare some grounding techniques for grown-ups (self-administered ear acupressure) and for little ones (a “belly breathing” activity) as we hunker down for our first pandemic holidays. We hope this will keep the peace when we’re all cooped up at home.
- Why is the world so beautiful? An Indigenous botanist on the spirit of life in everything
‘Western science is a powerful way of knowing, but it isn’t the only one says Robin Wall Kimmerer. - Orchestral-themed soundtrack for your cozy holiday nest:
Nils Frahm | A Winged Victory for the Sullen | BBC Proms 2015 | Full performance
Steve Reich, “Music for 18 Musicians” – FULL PERFORMANCE with eighth blackbird
Yann Tiersen EUSA Live Concert Nantes 2016
José González + The String Theory Royal Festival Hall, London
Ludovico Einaudi Live @Maison de la Radio - Skip Netflix and check out the amazing library of full length films, documentaries, shorts, animations and more through the National Film Board of Canada. There are also a fantastic selection of films featuring LGBTQ2+ and Black Communities in Canada themes.
- As the weather gets crappier, the Greater Victoria Public Library has all your indoor activities covered.
Get ebooks, audio books, and magazines delivered straight to your computer, phone, or tablet. And you can get a library card online now as well. - Christina’s fav cheap, simple, nutritious winter time soup, Curried Lentil, Tomato, and Coconut Soup
A staple during her post-surgical recovery, it is a warming, aromatic, high in protein and good fats and great on a budget! - Veronica recommends, Vegan Potato Leek Soup by Vegan Huggs – the combination of creamy potatoes, delicate leeks with herbal notes of rosemary and thyme will have you going back for seconds! It’s dairy-free, gluten-free and just good for you, too!
- For folks still looking for the flu shot, they are available FREE OF CHARGE with an appointment at STS Pharmacy, 820 Cormorant St!
Just contact pharmacist, Tony Kim, 236-562-8669 | info.higherhealth@gmail.com - Organizations that H&H has supported over the years and need your support over the holidays:
Our Place Society
Our Place offers a sense of belonging to Greater Victoria’s most vulnerable citizens. We provide a home, nourishment and hope through living, sharing, learning and worshipping together.
PEERS Victoria Resource Society
PEERS is an innovative, multi-service grassroots agency that was established by, with, and for sex workers in 1995. Through direct service delivery and community partnerships, Peers provides an array of outreach and drop-in harm reduction and support services alongside education and employment training for current and former sex workers.
SOLID Outreach
SOLID provides outreach to people who use drugs 7 days a week in the downtown area. Supports include providing harm reduction supplies for safer injection and inhalation, naloxone training, referrals and advocacy for health and social services, education on safer use, and recovery of discarded or used supplies.
