Reader's Digest Canada

pain dismissed

(ISTOCK.COM/TOMALIK)For the past two years, I’ve experienced regular headaches and muscle pain. I typically pop ibuprofen and hope the discomfort subsides enough that I can continue on with my day. But it’s not unusual to find me massaging an aching shoulder or working in my office with the overhead light turned out to protect my sensitive eyes.When these symptoms first started, I consulted my doctor and we tried a different medication regimen. When that didn’t work, an interesting thing happened: I did nothing. Well, not nothing, exactly. I figured my pain was the result of aging, or that it was my own fault for not exercising enough or stretching more. So I returned to yoga, headed to the gym, got regular massages. My symptoms eased slightly but didn’t disappear, and…

reader’s digest

PUBLISHED BY THE READER’S DIGEST MAGAZINES CANADA LIMITED, MONTREAL, CANADAChristopher Dornan CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARDDominique Ritter EDITOR-IN-CHIEFEXECUTIVE EDITOR Stéphanie VergeSENIOR EDITOR Micah ToubASSOCIATE EDITOR Megan JonesCONTRIBUTING EDITOR Samantha RideoutPROOFREADER Katie MooreSENIOR RESEARCHER Lucy UprichardRESEARCHERS Martha Beach, Alyssa Favreau, Matthew Halliday, Nicole Schmidt, Leslie Sponder, Kat TancockCOPY EDITORS Chad Fraser, Amy Harkness, Richard JohnsonWEB EDITOR Brett WaltherASSISTANT WEB EDITOR Robert LiwanagART DIRECTOR John MontgomeryASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Danielle SayerGRAPHIC DESIGNER Pierre LorangerCONTENT OPERATIONS MANAGER Lisa PigeonCIRCULATION DIRECTOR Edward BirkettCONTRIBUTORS: Gary Barwin, Nathaniel Basen, Lisa Bendall, Linda Besner, Jori Bolton, Jill Buchner, Maria Centola, Joren Cull, Wayne Curtis, Jessica Deeks, Moira Farr, Bruce Grierson, Danielle Groen, Bill Hangley Jr., Clayton Hanmer, Ed Hill, Ann Hui, Amanda Iannacito, Sophie Kohn, Susan Camilleri Konar, Richmond Lam, Jenn Liv, Jane Lytvynenko, Pasha Malla, Mark Mann, Aless…

contributors

(MARTIN BLUETHNER)CLAYTON HANMERIllustrator, Toronto“13 Things Your Optometrist Wishes You Knew”One neat thing about being an illustrator: you can work from anywhere. Another perk, in Clayton Hanmer’s case, is learning about other professions from “13 Things.” This month, he discovered that eye doctors are the first line of defense against certain serious illnesses. Learn more about ocular health on page 16.PASHA MALLAWriter, Hamilton, Ont.“Outrageous Family Stories!”Pasha Malla knows that family members can make one another laugh. But the key to having their in-jokes succeed on the page is translating a private language into something relatable. “Maybe that’s the process that appeals to writers,” he says. “Taking the personal and trying to make it universal.” Enjoy kooky clan tales from Malla and others on page 52.JOREN CULLIllustrator, Toronto“Rules for Dating My Daughter”Joren…

letter of the month

Do Unto OthersYour December 2018 issue celebrated nine extraordinary people, including Rebecca Schofield. In 2017, Becca gave a TEDx presentation in which she said, “Kindness is not an ability we’re born with or without. It’s more of a decision to be made. It’s so easy and satisfying.” She will live on as long as people keep doing acts of kindness in her name, because it makes us feel good.—VALÉRIEN SAVOIE, Cocagne, N.B.A HAPPY MIXYour January/February 2019 issue was one of the best I’ve read in the last couple of years. There was a good variety of health information, plus other favourite pieces, like the ones about the man who survived a shark attack and the efforts to save the Syria Civil Defense volunteers. Thanks for filling your magazine with informative,…

the baby effect

IT’S “BABY DAY” at the Chartwell Riverpark seniors’ residence in Ottawa—a twice-monthly event Eulah Johnson, 90, never misses. “I really enjoy it. It’s a diversion from the regular routine,” says the retired nurse with eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren of her own.Today, Johnson sits on a sofa in the home’s reception room and beams at a giggling toddler perched on the seat of her walker. After a few moments, the girl skips off to play with the dozen or so other small children and infants mingling with 20 of Johnson’s fellow residents.As the seniors munch on snacks and sip tea or coffee, their young guests crawl around, scribble in colouring books, bat smiley-face balloons back and forth or snooze in the arms of delighted residents.The energy in the room is…

life’s like that

“Yeah, it’s a bit awkward. But I never lose my luggage.” (SUSAN CAMILLERI KONAR)I’m just a girl sitting in front of a computer, holding a phone that is open to the same website as the computer I’m sitting in front of.—Actor ALLISON TOLMANI try to find the good in every situation. Wait. Typo. I meant “food.” I try to find the food in every situation.@ABBYHASISSUESTips, PleaseWhat are some cures for insomnia that do not involve drinking less caffeine and alcohol, or turning off your phone and computer, or getting exercise or meditating or reducing stress in any way?—TV writer BESS KALBSurvival SkillsWhat doesn’t kill you gives you a set of unhealthy coping mechanisms and a dark sense of humour.@POTSIEGIRLSARAHIKEA is just an escape room you don’t have to pay to…