Short, helpful advice on the most asked-about topics

Anxiety During Wildfire Season

Anxiety During Wildfire Season

Right now across Canada we are experiencing summer temperatures and conditions that, for some, mean days spent at the beach under an umbrella, swimming in the ocean or a local lake, and basking in the sun. For many others though, this is a time of anxiety, anticipation, and worry about wildfires and the possibility of an evacuation scenario.  Experiencing emotions like worry, fear, and anxiety is expected; however, living in that state for an extended period of time can have long term implications for your mental health, even if an evacuation order doesn’t go through and you can remain in your home. 

Read more
Caregiver Burnout and Compassion Fatigue

Caregiver Burnout and Compassion Fatigue

Being a caregiver is often a selfless role that involves providing support and care for others. Whether it's taking care of an aging parent, a sick family member, or working in a healthcare profession, caregivers play a vital role in our society. However, the demands and responsibilities of caregiving can take a toll on your physical, emotional, and mental health.

Read more
Green Means Go!

Green Means Go!

From our humble beginnings as carefree kiddos playing, “Red Light, Green Light” on the school playground, the color red has been associated with warnings, alarms, or coming to a full stop. Red lights signal us to stop our cars on the road, red tape is used to caution us from proceeding past a certain point, red signs indicate danger, and in relationships red flags refer to warnings to get out before we become attached to a person that may be emotionally, mentally, or physically dangerous. While it is important to recognize red flags in relationships, this should not be our sole focus. What if we directed more of our attention to recognizing the Green Flags?

Read more
Men's Mental Health

Men's Mental Health

June is Men's Health Month. Of course, health covers many different aspects of our lives. One that gets overlooked too often is men’s mental health, so there’s no better time than now to shed light on this important issue. While mental health affects everyone, men face unique challenges and societal pressures that can hinder their ability to seek help and support while leaving them feeling stigmatized. This month provides an opportunity to raise awareness, break that stigma, and promote resilience among us.

Read more
The Power of Change

The Power of Change

"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude." -Maya Angelou Change is unavoidable in life, for better or worse. Of course, it can be difficult, disruptive, and downright frightening at times. There are, however, many advantages of being able to adapt to change, chief among them the ability to grow and learn in new situations, and from there, discover new ways to be happier, healthier, and have better relationships in your life. When you can open yourself up to new experiences, you set yourself up for a more rewarding life. Embracing change is one of the hardest things we can do, but it pays off in some incredible ways.

Read more
Modern Family - A Wild Ride

Modern Family - A Wild Ride

Family life has always been challenging. Balancing it all often leaves us struggling to find time for ourselves, personal interests, and friends. A close confidant going through a particularly tough stretch once described feeling like he was the ring master of a never-ending circus of chaos. We laugh, shrug our shoulders, proclaim, “It is what it is!”, give each other a hug and carry on with our days. There is something wonderful about this interaction. In a moment we acknowledged what a mess life can be, put a humorous spin on it, and encouraged each other to keep at it.

Read more
Mental Health and Workplace Safety

Mental Health and Workplace Safety

It is Mental Health Week in Canada, so there is no better time to shine a light on something many Canadians struggle with: mental health at the workplace, and in particular, how it affects our safety and well-being. When it comes to managing our mental health in a workplace setting, there are several factors at play, chief among them is the awareness of how we are thinking and feeling while on the job, and how those thoughts and feelings can impact our safety and productivity.

Read more
The Cycle of Depression and How to Interrupt It

The Cycle of Depression and How to Interrupt It

Depression can feel like a dark cloud constantly looming over you. It might feel like you are moving through life carrying a backpack full of heavy rocks, or as if you’re stuck on a hamster wheel, going around and around but never forward. Depression looks different for everyone, but some common symptoms include feelings of sadness, loss of interest or enjoyment, low mood, changes in sleep, low energy, feeling hopeless or worthless, and difficulty focusing.

Read more
Left Behind in the Pandemic

Left Behind in the Pandemic

2020... the year a pandemic was declared. It was scary and unknown, but friends and family, and even strangers rallied together, at a distance, to keep one another safe; and those who were considered higher-risk for serious illness or death, were the ones we gave up “normal” life for. Over 2 years later, we saw a shift – the world wanted normalcy. People saw the light at the end of what had been a very dark and unpredictable tunnel. People deserved to see the light, to have some hope, to be able to get back to a semblance of the life they had known; after-all, it had been a tough two years for everyone.

Read more