As Valentine’s Day approaches, the world seems focused on love and romance. Our perception of the day is of couples making romantic gestures and store shelves lined with hearts, teddy bears and chocolate. No wonder the “love day” can feel tacky and forced, inspiring many people to skip it altogether. But there are other ways of celebrating connection and closeness with others that go beyond the narrow definition of romantic love. There ARE other kinds of love to appreciate on Valentine’s Day. Here’s a few to consider: Rethink what love looks likeThink about how you choose to celebrate love. Re ..read more

Every February, Nova Scotia celebrates African Heritage Month. It’s an opportunity to honour the culture, legacy, achievements and contributions of African Nova Scotian communities. The 2024 African Heritage Month theme, “Our Smiles, Our Joy, Our Resilience as African Nova Scotians,” highlights the spirit of perseverance that people of African descent have demonstrated over the centuries in our province. In recent decades, African-Canadian contributions have been acknowledged informally, however Nova Scotia has set a path for Canada’s recognition of African Heritage Month. Our province has bee ..read more

The start of a new year is a great time to seek out podcasts that will help inspire and motivate you in the months to come, no matter whether you’re focusing on one aspect of your health or just want fun and interesting content to keep you going on your next walk or road trip. We’ve compiled a list of seven podcasts to add into your rotation, covering healthy living, meditation, brain and mental health, nutrition, fitness, and living with chronic illness. Please note that a podcast does not substitute a conversation with your family doctor or other primary health-care provider. Always consult ..read more

The start of a new year is here, and along with it, the looming spectre of New Year’s resolutions. Perhaps you like making big changes, seeing it as a chance to start afresh with a clean slate. Or maybe you’re more like Aesop’s turtle, with more of a “slow and steady wins the race” vibe. However you’re choosing to approach 2024, we’ve gathered our New Year’s resolutions greatest hits to share some wise words to guide you along the path. Going globalIf your goal is overall better health, you might find these 4 resolutions for your health helpful. Gain inspiration for easily achievable health go ..read more

Not everyone is feeling holly and jolly this holiday season. Perhaps you’ve lost your job or are dealing with other financial pressures, are dealing with an illness or are looking after a sick loved one. Maybe you’ll be on your own for the holidays, or maybe you are (understandably) having a hard time coping with the general state of the world. It may be the most wonderful time of the year for some people, but when your own circumstances don’t match up with what you’re seeing around you, it can be difficult to stay upbeat. Be kind to yourselfOne thing that can help is to focus on little t ..read more

As we approach the winter solstice and are facing the shortest and darkest days of the year, December can be a cold and gloomy time. You may be feeling a bit run down and zapped of energy, not just from the darkness but also from the stress of the holiday season and the constant demands on your time. While you can’t control the weather, there are things you can do to help brighten your mood and lighten your outlook. Here are a few ideas to keep in mind: Light up your lifeMaximize the natural light available to you. During the daytime, keep the curtains open and sit near the window. If that doe ..read more

There’s something special about hiking with your kids, grandkids or whatever kids are in your life. It’s just exhilarating to spend time in the fresh air and explore the outdoors together. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker yourself or just starting to visit the trails in your local area, there’s no reason to leave the kids behind. Hiking can help kids develop new skills, spark their interest in the natural world and boost everyone’s mood. You’re also encouraging kids to try new hobbies and establish healthy habits they’ll carry into adulthood. Why not set aside a few hours on your next PD day an ..read more

Sometimes it feels like you’ve just recovered from the last three-day weekend when the next PD day rolls around. You deserve a break! It’s time to pour yourself a cup of tea and sit down with this list of home-from-school activities. If you jot down a few ideas, five minutes from now you’ll have an action plan for an easy-breezy PD day the next time one rolls around. Move those bodiesYou know what makes a kid quiet? Being exhausted after a busy day on the go. Try to work in as much outdoor activity as you can, whether that’s getting them to help with yard work, taking them on a hike, planning ..read more

These days it feels like the phrase “everything, everywhere, all at once” describes what, where and when the world is going mad. The COVID-19 pandemic continues, the cost-of-living crisis drives food and housing costs up, environmental disasters keep on coming, and through it all, your smartphone delivers unexpected, unfiltered, images of violent, traumatic events directly to your eyes via news feeds and social media, wherever and whenever you pick it up. It’s a lot – and it can be very hard to bear. It’s not easy to stay centred and calm amid difficult global events and crisis – and, in fact ..read more

Winter is creeping closer and the days are getting shorter and colder. While it may not seem like prime time to be outside getting your hands dirty in the garden, there’s a lot you can do now to help prep the area for winter. No matter what kind of space you’re working in – be it a large plot in your backyard or a tiny raised bed in a community garden – spending time in the space now can mean better outcomes for your flowers and plants in the growing season to come. Plus, simply being outside in the fresh air, no matter the time of year, just makes you feel good. Here’s a list of tasks to tack ..read more