Resources
Useful Books and Links
While there are numerous helpful books, resources, and websites offering excellent health information, this list has been carefully selected to provide you with the most practical and useful information in one easy location to save you time and effort.
Available now, and by our own Dr. Nair, this book targets those aspects of living that make the biggest contribution to a healthy life and outlines specific actions that will help you improve in those areas. It is a practical resource that will offer sound advice to anyone looking to live a healthier life.
Rediscover what Matters, Focus on what Works, and Relax about the Rest
THINK
The Foundation of Critical Thinking: A great resource to introduce and dig deeper into the concepts of critical thinking
CHANGE
An excellent book on the challenges of changing behavior and the best and most practical ways to help you make positive change for your life and for your health.
Inspiring book on finding your motivation and drive to live your best life.
EAT
Practical and evidence-based, this is the book on diet we recommend most to help patients have the healthiest diet they can sustain, and enjoy.
Harvard Healthy Plate: Excellent format for helping you make healthy food choices.
My Fitness Pal: Free Mobile And On-Line App to use as Calorie Counter, Diet & Exercise Journal
Calorie King: Website to accurately track calories
Eat Right Ontario: Reliable resources on diet from Registered Dietitians as well as the ability to have your questions answered
MOVE
Practical book on how to start incorporating exercise in your life. Includes program to start running as well as a straight-forward exercise program.
Make Your Day Harder: Social movement to ensure we all finds ways to get a little more active
23 and a 1/2 Hours: Much-watched video arguing for the single best thing you can do for your health
Couch to 5K: A step-by-step running plan for beginners
PAR-Q+: Simple screening tool to assess pre-participation risk for those new to exercise
SLEEP
Comprehensive and classic book on sleep
Sleepwell: Excellent website with high quality information and easy-to-use sleep efficiency calculator, sleep diary, and sleep hygiene checklist
Sink into Sleep: An excellent workbook on sleep utilizing Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)
Sleep Diary: Simple downloadable sleep log
Sleep Restriction Therapy: Evidence-based behavioral therapy to help improve depth and efficiency of sleep
Sleep Cycle, Sleep Better, Sleep Tracker: Apps that can be used to track and monitor sleep and factors that affect sleep
ENJOY
A definitive and practical book on the science of happiness and positive psychology
Action For Happiness: Fantastic site with practical tools, facts, advice, and suggestions around Happiness
Franklin Covey Mission Statement Builder: Online tool to help you develop your personal mission statement
QUIT
A very effective book on quitting smoking by a former heavy smoker. Many patients find the will and energy to quit just by reading this through.
Smoker’s Helpline & Smokefree.gov: Canadian and American sites offering free support and tools to help people quit smoking
Whiteboard Video: Another terrific video from Dr. Mike Evans and his team around the best ways to quit smoking
VACCINATE
Excellent book outlining the history and background of the anti-vaccination movement
Innovative book using different angles, stories, and images to help debunk vaccination myths
Vaccination Schedule: Canada’s current routine vaccination schedule for infants and children
Immunize.ca: Reliable information on vaccinations for all ages
SCREEN
Interesting book looking at the evidence behind screening programs and the concerns of overtesting and overdiagnosis.
Canadian Screening Recommendations: Current published guidelines by the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care
American Screening Recommendations: Current recommendations of the US Preventive Services Task Force
Choosing Wisely: Program to advance discussion around avoiding unnecessary tests, treatments, and procedures
SUPPLEMENT?
Well-written book about the controversies and limitations behind the supplement industry
Science-Based Medicine: Terrific website with numerous articles exploring issues and controversies in science and medicine
Other Useful Health Resources
Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Centre for ADHD Awareness: Lots of great resources, videos, articles, tips, book recommendations for parents
Dementia
Alzheimer’s Society: Website about dementia and resources for living with dementia
Gastroenterology
Kids Tummies: Lots of links and educational materials for parents and pediatric conditions
FODMAPS diet: Useful tips for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
General
Advanced Care Planning: Great site to help with the process of thinking about and sharing your thoughts for future health and personal care
Heart and Stroke Foundation: General health recommendations and resources
London Middlesex Health Unit website: Resources for public health information – both in general and for the London area.
Mood
Mood Gym: Online Self-Help for depression and anxiety
Mind Over Mood: Highly regarded book using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to change you feel by changing how you think.
AnxietyCanada: Online, self-help, and evidence-based resources. Includes access to Mindshift app to help youth and young adults manage anxiety
BounceBack Ontario: Workbook-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with phone coaching or videos online
Woebot: Free app with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy tools and daily check-in
Musculoskeletal
Versus Arthritis: Website with videos and exercises for all manner of arthritis and ailments to help reduce pain
Back Exercises 1: Videos on exercises for back pain (ISAEC)
Back Exercises 2: Another excellent resource for back pain exercises (Health Link BC)
Arthritis Society: Information hub for all types of arthritis
Skye Physio: Local physiotherapy clinic with good information on numerous MSK injuries and conditions
Pediatrics
Caring for Kids: Information for parents from Canada’s pediatricians
The Poop Train: Great information and resources around constipation in children
Pregnancy
Mother Risk: Searchable site to look at up-to-date information about the risk and safety of medications and other exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding
LactMed: Site with information on medications and theirs risks with breastfeeding
Dietary Guidelines during Pregnancy: Useful site outlining recommendations for food safety during pregnancy (HealthLink BC)
Sexual Health
SexandU: Very useful site for advice and recommendations for sexual and reproductive health. For all ages.
Travel
CDC Travel Advice: Centers for Disease Control’s site for health recommendations for travel destinations