Ideas for community contributions in 2022

May 2022| Friends till the end

Playdates aren’t just for kids! Research shows that authentic connections and acceptance by friends play a critical role in a mother’s health and happiness throughout her lifetime. This Mother’s Day, encourage your mom (and other mothers in your life, including you!) to reach out to an old friend or make a new one. And this advice doesn’t just apply to moms— connecting with gal pals is a great way for all women to reduce stress at any point in their lives.

April 2022 | Bird is the word

Just in time for the spring migration, we’re celebrating Go Birding Day on April 30. Canada is home to more than 450 bird species, such as redwinged blackbirds, and billions of individual birds. But many species are in decline, and nearly 15 percent of native birds are at risk of extinction. Birdwatchers can help bolster scientific data for conservation by sharing sightings with projects like eBird Canada. Plus, birding is good for you, too! Whether from the window, in the yard, or out and about, birdwatching has a positive impact on mental well-being.

March 2022 | Fine tune your feed

As we live through a seemingly unending global pandemic, “doomscrolling” has become the new norm, but it’s time to reconsider our social media habits. Seeking out information is one way to cope during challenging times, but it’s not as helpful during a pandemic because the general sense of uncertainty simply feeds anxiety. A new study confirms that as little as two to four minutes of exposure to negative news about COVID-19 can adversely impact your mood. While we can’t avoid the news entirely, we can find a better balance by seeking out positive stories and using social media to catch up with friends and family.

January 2022 | Dive deep

After what seems like an eternity of pandemic living, do you feel like you need a primer on socializing? A new study offers some advice: Don’t shy away from deep conversations. People often undervalue the positive effects of social interaction, believing that deeper conversations will be more awkward and less enjoyable than they actually are. Getting beyond small talk can foster a greater sense of connection with others, especially strangers. So strike up a conversation with your bus driver or that acquaintance from your fitness class. You can give sweet talk a whole new meaning this year!