There are a lot of misconceptions about self-care. People often think that is about spoiling yourself and while that may be a form of self-care, in actuality, the practice is not so surface level. Self-care is described as practices that improve one’s health and well-being; It is a holistic approach to caring for yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. Sounds simple, right? The reality is that taking care of yourself is a lot easier said than done for most people. There are many things that can stand in a person’s way, such as: a low self-esteem, a lack of self-awareness, surrounding
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The data is in and the bottom line is unanimous – a daily routine is essential, not only for our physical well-being but mental and emotional states as well. As much as many believe they prefer to live life, “flying by the seat of their pants,” according to experts, that is not a healthy nor sustainable state of living.   “When people don’t have a routine or structure to their day it can cause increased stress and anxiety, as well as overwhelming feelings, lack of concentration, and focus,” states Rachel Goldman, Ph.D.    Who are we to argue, when the
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Ottawa and its surrounding areas are known for their breathtaking views, trails, parks, and diverse ecosystems. As a response to a growing desire to support sustainability and healthy living, Farmers Markets have become a staple throughout various parts of the city, especially in our rural townships. In providing farm-fresh produce, organic alternatives and featuring community vendors selling their hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind items, these friendly shops are highly anticipated by people living in every corner of the city.  While the COVID-19 pandemic has everything looking differently, Farmers Markets have opened for the season with reasonable restrictions, and we could not be more
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Winter this year has been, for lack of a better word, unusual. Temperatures have been quite a bit milder than what we are used to in Ottawa, which has been a welcomed change, but with stay-at-home orders, we may not have been able to enjoy the colder months the same ways we have become accustomed to. What is good, is that this has offered many of us the chance to get creative with entertainment in times of lockdown, and while staying away from both indoor and outdoor gatherings. Many people are eager to engage in physical activities, embrace family time,
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The past year has been a difficult one for many people. Small businesses in particular have suffered, with many of them having been forced to modify their operations or close down altogether in order to comply with the restrictions set out by the government of Ontario. While it is convenient to shop at big box stores or use services like Amazon to buy what we want, supporting these large companies does not really help our neighbours, family, friends, or to support the local economy.  People everywhere rallied together in 2020 to lift up our small business owners by shopping local
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COVID-19 Strikes Canada Just a few short months ago, none of us knew the incredible impact that the arrival of the COVID-19 virus would have on all of our lives. It has affected all community members, from children, teenagers, parents and grandparents.  Many of us have lost our jobs, lost hours of work, had to look after our children at home, worry about older parents and have missed our friends and family.  When many were able to return to work, there was still a concern about catching the virus from a co-worker or fellow student. COVID-19 is the most significant
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