self care Archives - London Drugs Blog

This Valentine’s Day We’re Celebrating Genuine Care

Some of us have a complex relationship with Valentine’s Day. And that’s fair — love can be a complicated matter. That’s why we’ve decided to be more inclusive about the way we celebrate this oft-maligned holiday.

This year, we’re making Valentine’s Day all about genuine care. Care for ourselves. Care for our families and friends. Care for our communities, and care for our planet. Here’s how you can get involved too.

And hey – make sure you swing by Instagram to enter to win our #GenuineCare giveaway! We’re giving away 5 $100 gift certificates and announcing winners all week from February 11 – February 15th. Check it out!

Self Care

Self care is huge for us — as reflected in our roots. You can’t take care of others if you don’t look after yourself first, and our pharmacists are here to assist with your self-care needs — everything from disease management, to vaccinations, to prescriptions. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of their genuine care for your health.

Care for Family and Friends

Care for family is deeply rooted in everything we do at London Drugs. And we know it is for you too — whether it’s making dinners for your siblings or packing lunches for your kids, driving your parents to appointments, or chauffeuring your friends around town. This Valentine’s Day let’s be sure to let them all know just how much we care about them.

Care for our Community

We love and appreciate all of the communities throughout B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba that have welcomed us into their fold. Coming together as a community to show our care for one another is one of our core values, and this Valentine’s Day, we say thank you for showing us so much love, too.

Care for the Planet

We genuinely care for our planet, and we know you do too. That’s why we work hard to be green. Our recycling centres accept everything from packaging to electronics to batteries (see the full recycling list here). Last year alone, with your help, we recycled 3,711 pounds of cell phones; 42,155 pounds of fluorescent lights; 122,780 pounds of batteries; and 370,751 pounds of electronics. We also diverted 93.9% of waste from landfill. That’s true love for the earth right there.

Care for Your Partner

Don’t worry, we won’t take all of the romance out of Valentine’s Day! Showing care for our partners is obviously a key part of a loving relationship. So go ahead and buy those chocolates, flowers, and Carlton cards. Cook a special meal, throw on a rom-com, or just spend time enjoying each others’ presence. Because love is worth celebrating.

Everyone has something or someone they care about. And Valentine’s Day is a great day to show how much you genuinely care.

How do you show #GenuineCare? Enter to Win a $100 Gift Card!

Follow London Drugs on Instagram and tag two people to whom you’d like to show genuine care. You’ll be entered to win one of five $100 gift cards! For extra entries, leave a comment on one of our five days of #GenuineCare posts and tell us how you’re showing genuine care to those you love most.

Valentines Day Instagram Contest Terms & Conditions

To enter: Follow London Drugs on Instagram and tag two people to whom you’d like to show genuine care. You can get an extra entry by commenting about how you’re showing #GenuineCare this Valentine’s Day.

Contest is open to all residents of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba who, as of the date the prize draw is made: (i) have not won a London Drugs contest since February 2018; (ii) have reached the age of majority in the province in which they reside as of February 1st, 2019; (iii) are not employees of London Drugs, their respective advertising and promotional agencies, the independent judging organization (if any), or any family member living with any such employee.

No purchase necessary. Limit one (1) entry per person per day. Entries must be received no later than 11:59 PM each day between Feb 11 and Feb 15. London Drugs is not responsible for entries that become lost or misdirected. All entries become the property of London Drugs Limited and will not be returned.

One (1) winner will be randomly chosen each day of the contest ends (see dates below) in Vancouver, British Columbia, from all eligible entries received per contest. To win, selected entrants must correctly answer a skill-testing mathematical question and must sign London Drugs’ declaration and release confirming compliance with the contest rules and acceptance of the prize(s) as awarded, releasing London Drugs from liability in association with the contest and prize and consenting to the use of their name, photograph, voice and statements for promotional and publicity purposes.

There will be five prizes of a $100 London Drugs Gift card. One prize will be awarded each day from Feb 11 – 15.

See details and contest date below. Prizes must be accepted as awarded, are non-transferable and no substitutions are permitted. Prizes will be awarded at the closest London Drugs location to contest winners.

Contest date – Monday, February 11, 2019 – Friday, February 15, 2019 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time

Draw date – There will be a random draw done each day from February 12, 2019 to 16.

Only one prize may be won by any one person and household. In the event that any selected entrant incorrectly answers the skill-testing question or is otherwise unwilling or unable to comply in full with these rules, a new entry will be drawn.

Selected winners will be contacted through Instagram. No correspondence will be entered into except with selected entrants. If the winners do not respond then they will be notified for the second time, 3 (three) days after the first notification. If the winners still do not respond within 3 days of the second notification, a new winner will be chosen in the same manner until a winner is successfully contacted.

The chances of winning a prize will depend on the number of eligible entries received. Decisions of the judges in respect of all aspects of this contest including, but not limited to, eligibility of entries and correctness of answers given to the skill-testing question, are final.

London Drugs and their respective advertising and promotional agencies, the independent judging organization, and their respective agents are not liable to an entrant in any manner relating to the contest or the awarding and use of the prize(s).

This contest is subject to all federal, provincial, and municipal laws and regulations. By entering the entrant consents to the collection of all personal information included on their entry and agrees to the use and disclosure of such information by and between London Drugs, an independent judging organization, and their agents. The winner(s) also agrees to the collection, use, and disclosure of their name, entry, photographs, voice, and statements for London Drugs’ publicity purposes without further compensation. All personal information collected from entrants will be used only for the purposes of administering the contest and for marketing and promotional purposes as contemplated by these rules; under no circumstances will any personal information be sold or rented to third parties. All personal information collected by London Drugs will be kept in accordance with the privacy policy of London Drugs, which can be viewed at www.londondrugs.com, and in accordance with all applicable privacy laws.

The right is reserved by London Drugs to terminate this contest, in whole or in part, and/or modify, amend or suspend the contest, and/or these rules in any way, should any cause beyond the reasonable control of London Drugs or its agents affect the proper administration thereof.

5 Ways to Boost Your Holiday Self-care with Essential Oils

Ah the holiday season is definitely in the air. For many of us that means putting up twinkling lights, decorating the house, and getting ready to exchange gifts with our loved ones. It also means a long to-do list of extra errands we need to check off as we get ready for the festive season. It’s very easy to put self-care on the back-burner at this time of year, which may leave you feeling burned out and exhausted by January. To avoid ringing in 2019 already feeling weary, we have some tips on how to take care of yourself with essential oils this holiday season.

What Are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are liquids extracted from trees, shrubs, plants, flowers, and seeds, and can be used for a variety of ailments. They can be used for aroma (in a diffuser or bath), topically (applied to the skin), and internally (ingested).

Using essential oils is called aromatherapy and has become increasingly popular in recent years. Fans of aromatherapy typically use diffusers to enjoy the aromatic effects of essential oils. London Drugs has a wide array of diffusers — from the small and discreet to the eye-catching and decorative.

How to Use Essential Oils

Essential oils can help with everything from calming down stress levels to boosting your immunity. They can also help ensure you’re getting enough shut-eye between buying the perfect gifts and baking those scrumptious holiday cookies.

For Sleep

Scents like valerian, lavender and curated relaxation mixes are great sleep aids. Place them in your diffuser or bath an hour before bed and you’ll sleep like a yule log.

For Stress

When it all feels like a bit too much and you feel your stress levels rising, there are several oils (and oil blends) that can help restore calm. Bergamot, chamomile, and rose are frequently used to treat stress.

For an Immunity Boost

You may find yourself coming down with a cold or virus during the festive season. No one has time to spend several days in bed nursing the sniffles, so ward off any bugs with immunity boosters like oregano, peppermint, or lemon oil. If you do come down with a cold, put a few drops of Eucalyptus oil in your diffuser or bath to open up the airways and help soothe your lungs.

For Aches and Pains

Using essential oils topically (applying them to the skin) can help with a multitude of issues such as headaches, neck pain, colds, and injuries, none of which are on your to-do list this holiday season.

Topical oils are popular because they easily penetrate the skin and specifically target problem areas. Be sure to read the instructions and ensure you don’t apply undiluted oils to the skin. Unless they already come diluted, they should always be mixed with water or a carrier oil (coconut oil or olive oil are popular) before use. Also check for skin sensitivity to any oils before using.

For an Energy Boost

Most importantly at this time of year we want to feel energized. Some great essential oils that will boost your mood are citrus blends, rosemary, vanilla, or lavender. You’ll feel rejuvenated and ready to tackle all the festivities this season.

Shop our selection of aromatherapy products for other resources that may help you destress and nurture your health this holiday season. If you are looking for some more self-care inspiration and support, you can also talk to an expert at the LD Pharmacy.

5 Useful Tips to Raise Your Energy at Work

Maintaining positive mental and physical wellbeing at work allows us to stay at the top of our game and succeed at our job. Of course, trying to balance our busy lives with work can get in the way of self-care and leave us feeling run down and lacking energy. The Mental Health Commission of Canada explains that decreased wellbeing at work can lead to a loss of productivity, absenteeism, and presenteeism, too (that’s working while sick). This is why it’s important to try simple tricks that boost our daily vitality.

Don’t worry! Whether you’re managing stressful deadlines, long hours, or physical demands, we’ve got five simple self-care steps to keep you healthy and energized at work.

Step 1: Stay hydrated

Staying hydrated at work helps us to feel alert and think clearly. A common recommendation by HealthLink BC suggests consuming six to eight 250 mL (8 fl oz) glasses of water each day. Buying a funky new water bottle, trying a new tea, or setting an alarm on your phone are great ways to remind yourself to drink more! You can also check out this video for 4 ways to trick yourself into drinking more water.

Step 2: Perfect your posture

Improving your posture involves a bit of mindfulness practice, but the rewards offer renewed, sustainable energy throughout your day—as well as long-term health benefits. Start by trying a new seating position, or a laptop stand to go on your desk. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety has great guidelines for good body position, and what to avoid.

Office furniture also impacts your posture. If you’re sitting at a desk all day, try using an office chair with different ergonomics or a standing desk to increase your circulation and decrease fatigue.

Step 3: Quick office desk makeover

Whether you work from home or in an office, your environment can affect your vitality, productivity, and wellbeing. Get creative and give your desk a makeover! Spruce up your workspace with positive quotes, plants, and pictures. Aromatherapy products are great too—try a diffuser, salt lamp, or blend of essential oils from London Drugs, which help to boost energy and mood, and relax the mind.

Step 4: Take time to stretch or walk the block

Rest breaks, stretching, and movement all help combat the 3pm afternoon slump. Try setting an alarm each day to complete a few new desk stretches, or take a short walk around the block. Exercise is a golden way to recharge, increase stamina, and promote brain health at work—read more and discover 6 ways exercise benefits your mental health.

Step 5: Treat yourself (and a coworker!) to lunch

What better way to boost your energy than great food and great company? Break up your workday by taking a coworker out for lunch or treating yourself to a new healthy spot. Social breaks can take your mind off of work and allow you to return refreshed and rejuvenated. Eating healthy food can also increase energy levels—you can create your own food guide to make healthier menu choices, as well as gain inspiration for future lunch recipes.

Self-care requires commitment and time, so it’s ok to go slow and try one new tip a week. Little steps make a difference, and patience and persistence are key! You’ll be on top of your game, sustaining your energy, and doing backflips around the office in no time. Stay well!

How to Practice Self-Care for Your Mental Health

Practicing self-care is so important for the maintenance of our personal health and wellness. It’s like how airline attendants instruct passengers to put on their own oxygen masks before assisting others—if you’re not taking care of yourself, you’re affecting your ability to take care of the people around you. Not only that, but neglecting yourself can take a toll on your physical and emotional well-being.

It’s always a good time to identify some everyday things you can do to practice self-care to help your mind and body. Here are some tips on how to take care of yourself without breaking the bank.

Reconnect with your inner self

When life gets chaotic, it can help to slow down for a minute and listen to your inner dialogue. For some this might involve a creative outlet like drawing, painting or writing, while for others it might be a physical outlet like taking up yoga, going for a jog, or enrolling in a fitness class. When you are listening to your mind and body, you feel healthy and more productive, and your self-esteem gets a boost.

Pamper yourself

You may not have the time for a spa day, but you can still indulge yourself at home by taking a long bath with your favourite essential oils. You could apply a deep-clean conditioner to your hair or nourish your skin with your favourite lotion. When you’re stressed or overwhelmed, self-care is usually the first thing to go. We may feel guilty or indulgent taking some time to ourselves when we already have so much on our plates, but it’s crucial to look after ourselves if we want to avoid feeling burned out.

Unplug and disconnect

In this digital era, many of us are permanently plugged into the outside world. We’re constantly checking our emails and social media feeds, but now and then stepping away from it all can make a world of difference—even if it’s for an hour or two. Put down the phone, close the lid on your computer, and read a book that’s on your shelf, walk through the park, or meet a friend for coffee.

Consult with an expert

Most of us feel intense pressure to be perfect. We want to excel at work and be good parents to our children. But while we’re focusing all our energy on others we forget to take care of ourselves. If you’re looking for more ways to support your self-care journey, our London Drugs advisors are happy to talk to you about other ways to practice self-care.

Feeling stressed or burnt out? Find out how to simplify your life, get support, and use relaxation techniques to fight stress from our London Drugs Pharmacy.