Meet our Guide - Richard Vinson

I'd like to introduce you to Richard Vinson, our hike leader for our past and upcoming hikes with Shaw Lifestyle.

We we're introduced to Richard through members of the Halifax North West Trails Association which is a is a not-for-profit society who promotes the creation, protection and maintenance of trails in Halifax North West. If you have been on one of our hikes you'll know that he's very knowledgeable, kind, and inspires you to look at nature in a different light.

Biography: Richard has lived across Canada where he has pursued his passion for the outdoors. Trained as an outdoor educator at the universities of Alberta and Northern Illinois, he taught an innovative, Gr. 9 physical education program at St. Margaret’s Bay, NS, where the entire curriculum was based on lifelong, outdoor pursuits.

He is the previous owner of the Wild Bird Company, Halifax, and he has operated other businesses including canoe camps, and solar. He remains active in the outdoors as a Director with the Friends of Blue Mountain – Birch Cove Lakes Society and continues to contribute time to the Nova Scotia Nature Trust as a volunteer.

Richard is a certified Field Leader – Hiking, with the Outdoor Council of Canada.

If you haven't been on one of our hikes yet, I highly encourage you to! He makes the experience fun, engaging and you leave with a new awareness of the trails that are so close to home (The Parks of West Bedford).

Have any comments, questions, or just want to reach out? Comment below or email me at info@shawlifestyle.ca

Centenarians & Sardinia

Hey everyone!

Today I’d like to talk about an article one of my colleagues had shared with me a few weeks ago: “The centenarians dominating one region of Sardinia”. Now, I’m sure you’re wondering why on earth would I want to talk about this? Well, the article touches on the importance of socializing and how it can lead to a longer life; thus, on par with my continued learning for Shaw Lifestyle (and I want to share that with you).

The above photo is an aerial shot of the Sardinia Island, beautiful right? Where on the island, that I am not sure.

Before I go any further, I feel it’s important to define centenarians.

Centenarians [sen-tn-air-ee-uh n]

adjective 1. pertaining to or having lived 100 years.

noun

2. a person who has reached the age of 100.

Great! Now that we’ve got that out of the way I’ve decided to give you some main bullets (bullets are the best way to get information fast and efficiently, at least… I think so) of the article.

• Early 2000’s, Dr. Giovanni Pes (demographer and physician) discovered two things among villages in central Sardinia aka “The blue zone”.

1. Low mortality rates

2. High life expectancies

• Blue zone = a term used to refer to an area with extraordinarily long-living populations

• These places have been identified as blue zones

1. Nicoya, Costa Rica

2. Ikaria, Greece

• Seniors from the Sardinia blue zone are participating in more social and leisure activities VS. senior populations of other areas

• Interviews along with historical data suggest that social and psychological factors are just as important as diet and exercise to live a long, healthy life

So, take the above information with a grain of salt – but, keep in mind that socializing can be quite beneficial. You could end up living to 100 or even longer! I, for one, think all of this research definitely should be explored further! We need to be more educated about the importance of social engagement, especially where it can have a big part in one’s overall wellbeing!

What are your thoughts?

Toodaloo, Joanie

Have any comments, questions, or just want to reach out? Comment below or email me at info@shawlifestyle.ca