Short, helpful advice on the most asked-about topics

Prepping for the Holidays

Prepping for the Holidays

As the holiday season approaches, streets glow with twinkling lights, stores buzz with festive music, and calendars fill with gatherings and to-do lists. Amid the excitement, it’s easy to get caught up in societal and family expectations—hosting the perfect dinner, finding the ideal gifts, and creating picture-perfect moments. But have you ever paused to reflect on what the holidays truly mean to you? 

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National Grief and Bereavement Day

National Grief and Bereavement Day

National Grief and Bereavement Day, observed this year on November 19th, serves as a poignant reminder of the profound impact that loss can have on individuals, families, and communities. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about the emotions associated with grief and the importance of seeking support during difficult times.

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Navigating Anger: Understanding and Managing a Powerful Emotion

Navigating Anger: Understanding and Managing a Powerful Emotion

Anger can be challenging to understand and manage. When you think of anger, you might picture clenched fists, a red face, or perhaps an intense outburst. While these reactions are common signs of anger, there are diverse ways people experience and express it—and even more methods to manage it healthily. Self-awareness and learning techniques for handling and communicating anger are essential for emotional health. 

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The Importance of Morning Routine

The Importance of Morning Routine

The idea of a morning routine might feel overwhelming, especially if you believe it requires an extra early wake up to work on numerous tasks before the day has even officially started. It might be enticing to scrap the morning routine and instead sleep until the last minute possible and rush out the door while eating breakfast on the go. This might get you more hours or minutes of sleep; however, it also sets the tone for the rest of your day.

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World Mental Health Day: Be Like the Bonsai

World Mental Health Day: Be Like the Bonsai

I was having a conversation recently, and the topic of hobbies arose. One person shared that one of their passions was growing and maintaining bonsai trees. For those unfamiliar, bonsai are miniature trees that require patience and care to grow into beautiful horticultural displays. Some take 10-15 years or more to mature fully, but all require detailed attention to thrive. No, Walmsley Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) hasn't become a blog just for green thumbs, but there are important lessons we can take from bonsai that apply to mental health and well-being.

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National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - Orange Shirt Day

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - Orange Shirt Day

Summer is coming to an end, and with the beginning of fall that means Orange Shirt Day is coming up. On September 30, 2024 many people will gather wearing their orange shirts; a commitment we make to honour children everywhere. It is a commitment made because every child matters. September 30th was declared the National day for Truth and Reconciliation and is a federal statutory holiday.

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Celebrating Our Differences

Celebrating Our Differences

There is a power found in celebrating our differences: the different ways we each see the world, the differences in how we perceive, feel, and understand the world. We are all so wonderfully human, and in the diversity of culture, points of view, similarities and differences, we sometimes forget to celebrate what makes us so human: our common ground of differences, along with our many shared values underlying those differences.

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Brain Injury Awareness Month

Brain Injury Awareness Month

Brain Injury Awareness Does this sound familiar: “but you look fine!”? So many have. And many are not fine. Brain injuries are often invisible, and unless the person with the injury discloses their injury, they “look fine”.

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Men's Health Month

Men's Health Month

June is Men’s Health Month. Organizations across Canada will be focusing on a wide variety of topics, from the importance of eating right to getting enough exercise. These are important topics, and worthy of your time to read up on. However, conversations around men’s health must also include mental health, particularly three main aspects: communication, support, and treatment. We focus on these three vital elements of mental health to minimize stigma and pave the way for more open conversations about what mental health means to men and what they could be doing differently.

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