It is no surprise that people enjoy buying food instead of making it themselves. Being able to pick up a prepared meal or have it delivered to your front door is much more convenient than cooking for yourself every day. Statistics Canada states that 54 per cent of Canadians eat out or order takeout once a week or more. Although 57 per cent of Canadians try to choose their orders based on nutrition information provided on menus, takeout orders are not always the healthiest. According to DoorDash, the three most ordered menu items in 2022 were burgers, french fries, and pizza, none of which are healthy food options. Cooking at…

Anyone can be a bully, and despite frequently being shamed for their actions, bullies continue to mentally abuse others seemingly without a care in the world. This means it is quite likely someone can be a bully without realizing it. Although, there are several ways a person can reflect on their actions to avoid spreading toxic behaviours that bully others. What is bullying? There are at least six types of bullying, including physical, verbal, social, cyber, racist, and sexual bullying. It does not matter whether a person is physically or sexually assaulted, socially isolated by a group of people, or “just” called names, bullying in any shape or form is…

Have you ever found yourself staring at a blank page, desperately longing to unleash your thoughts and stories but struggling to find the motivation to put pen to paper? Don’t worry – you’re not alone. This is an all too common scenario for creatives. Every writer, no matter how experienced, encounters those moments of self-doubt and creative struggle. But fear not. There are plenty of tips and tricks to help motivate yourself and get your creative juices flowing! Find your inspiration One way to motivate yourself to write is to seek inspiration. Explore different mediums, such as books, movies, music or art, that resonate with you. Allow yourself to be…

Graduating from university is an exciting milestone, marking the end of an academic journey and the beginning of a new chapter in life. While this transition can be filled with uncertainty, especially when it comes to making friends outside of the familiar campus environment, there are numerous opportunities to forge meaningful connections. Follow these practical tips and strategies to help navigate the post-university landscape and build a fulfilling social circle! Embrace alumni networks One of the most valuable resources available after graduation is the alumni network associated with one’s university. Reach out to your alma mater’s alumni association, or explore what they do to bring fellow graduates together. Attend alumni…

In the fall of 2022, I took a class at Wilfrid Laurier University called Stories and the Sacred. As the name suggests, the course was a blend of a literature and a religion class. However, the content was not necessarily about literature or religion exclusively. Instead, the course outlined several individuals throughout history and mythology who had, in one way or another, come to experience the sacred. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the word “sacred” as something “dedicated or set apart for the service or worship of a deity.” This definition implies the attachment of religion to the word, which is what most people think of when they hear sacred. It…

People often try to think positively but can sometimes fail to do so. An article written by SkillPath states, “The human brain has a natural tendency to give weight to (and remember) negative experiences or interactions more than positive ones – they stand out more. Psychologists refer to this as negativity bias.”  Regardless of the kind of person someone is, people can tend to think negatively more often than not. If someone is regularly told how well they are doing, but something negative is brought up, they will likely focus on the negative. That’s why activities such as gratitude journals can help someone focus on the positive.  Gratitude journals are…

Toxic positivity is the attitude that people should have an optimistic outlook on  situations beyond their control. However, it can involve dismissing negative emotions and situations while projecting a positive outlook at inappropriate times. Examples of toxic positivity  It may not always be clear when someone is displaying this behaviour. Often, toxic positivity involves overly-simplified catchphrases.  Krysta Fitzpatrick-Sceviour is a women’s studies instructor at Memorial University of Newfoundland. She notices toxic positivity can be common on social media platforms. “Right now, I am seeing a lot of memes and inspirational quotes saying things like ‘fake it ’til you make it’ or ‘stay positive,’ ‘good vibes only,’” she says.  Greg Hewlett…

Emotional intelligence or emotional quotient (EQ) is the ability to manage emotions and respond to them correctly. It also refers to understanding, recognizing and handling the feelings of others. Research suggests that young adults need to develop this type of intellect to succeed professionally and personally.   Learning emotional intelligence  Sarah Blackmore is a children’s media producer for EastLink community television in Newfoundland. She received her master’s degree from Toronto Metropolitan University. Her skill set and personal life experience have given her a lot of insight into what it takes to develop EQ.   Blackmore believes one major part of emotional intelligence is lending an ear to other people.   “Try to keep…

Almost a quarter of Canadians can’t afford groceries. Food insecurity affects low-income households the most. With food shortages, supply chain issues and inflation on the rise, food insecurity in Canada is increasing.  “Food insecurity is a symptom of poverty,” says Elaine Power, a professor in the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies at Queen’s University. “You can’t really fix food insecurity without fixing the underlying problem.” The Food and Agricultural Association of the United Nations (FAO) explains that a food insecure individual is someone who doesn’t have enough money or resources for food.  To some, this might seem obvious. Yet, the solutions to solve food insecurity are mostly focused on…

Were you the type of 12-year-old who could binge read a whole book series in the span of a few weeks? Did reading slowly become less of a habit as you inevitably became preoccupied with school, jobs and other real-world stressors? Reading books has been scientifically proven to be beneficial for our mental health. A 2009 research study found that 30 minutes of reading lowered the heart rate and blood pressure of the participants.  Getting back into reading is definitely feasible, but it can be daunting for those who feel they’re too busy and simply don’t have time for it.  However, we could all use a method to destress and…

Albert Einstein once said, “I get most joy in life out of music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.” Even though he never received a formal education in music, Einstein taught himself to play the violin and piano.  If you’re a musician or are learning to play an instrument, you’re probably familiar with the passion that Einstein described. Science has shown that the intensity of repeated practice when playing an instrument results in an improved performance in cognitive, sensory and motor abilities.  So it’s time to face the music and see why playing an instrument is good for you.  Structural brain changes…

It is no surprise that since the COVID-19 pandemic began, online shopping has seen an influx while in-person shopping has drastically decreased. But the decline of in-person shopping started long before the pandemic. In a research study done in 2017, Credit Suisse predicted that 25 per cent of all U.S. malls will close by 2022. This was after Michael Kors announced the closures of 125 stores and department stores like JCPenney, Sears—which no longer has any stores in Canada—and Macy’s announced shutdowns of several locations.  Retail analyst and author Bruce Winder says malls are now replacing department store areas with places like gyms and grocery stores, while also adding more…

As far as insignificant decisions go, deciding what to wear or what restaurant to go to isn’t going to majorly affect your future.  However, there are choices you make that will have a meaningful effect on your journey through life; some of which will cause stress and uncertainties. That’s why it’s important to have a plan of action when it comes to making these choices.  Make lists  When faced with tough decisions, making a pros and cons list is a valuable strategy. They can help you organize your thoughts, weigh the positives and negatives of a situation and visualize outcomes.  Samanda Stroud, a 28-year-old editor, agrees with this sentiment. When…

In May 2020, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) released a controversial advertisement linking the COVID-19 pandemic and previous pandemics to meat consumption.  Plastered across brightly coloured billboards, alongside a cheerful tofu-inspired animated character, was the message, “Tofu never caused a pandemic. Try it today!”  The billboard is wrong for many reasons; not only does it trivialize the pandemic and misplace blame, but it also represents a larger issue with the approaches adopted by PETA and other vegan organizations.  These approaches often rely on shaming tactics, like the billboard, that create a binary between meat eaters and vegans. It’s a binary that dictates that you belong to one…

Whether it be spiral designs on your lecture notes, little faces drawn in the margins of your textbooks or silly sketches on the newspaper, doodling comes in many different forms. To doodle is to draw or scribble idly for entertainment. It can also be a form of expressing oneself when in deep thought. Doodles aren’t necessarily detailed or elaborate, even though they can be. The main difference between doodling and mostly any other visual form of expression is that doodling is done aimlessly and doesn’t have too much thought or effort put into it.  The conventional definition says that doodles are seemingly mindless drawings done subconsciously while our thoughts drift…

Gardening has its benefits, like cleaning the air and reducing the risk of anxiety, depression and stress. So why not bring the garden indoors to your work setup?  Whether it’s in a home office, a make-believe classroom or at the breakfast table, keeping plants can help spruce up your workspace and emotional state. Here are some of the many benefits to having foliage keeping you company while working. Attention and concentration In an experiment, researchers measured the psychological advantages of having green plants near the participants. The researchers had subjects study in the presence of a live plant, an artificial plant, a photograph of a plant and without a plant.…

Almost everyone picked up a new hobby during the pandemic. Some people started knitting, some took up soap carvings, some began jogging. There were hobbies that endured, like yoga, and some that flaked out (is anyone still making bread?) One hobby that became popular was gardening, as many flocked to grocery stores and plant nurseries to pick up a few leafy babies.  If you’re interested in getting into gardening, read ahead for some sure-fire tips that will keep your plants healthy and awaken your inner earth goddess.  Know your space While the pineapple plant might seem like a good idea, it’s a tropical plant and probably isn’t going to be…