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  • Ce que le succès signifie pour moi

    De Erin Rebello

    Le succès est le sentiment d’avoir réussi et vous avez généralement réussi lorsque vous avez bien fait quelque chose. Le succès est différent pour chacun et ce qu’il est pour l’un peut être le contraire pour un autre. Quelqu’un peut déterminer le succès en entrant dans l’université de son choix, alors que pour quelqu’un d’autre, ce sera en gagnant une compétition sportive et pour une autre personne encore, ça sera en créant une œuvre d’art. Quand, personnellement, je pense au succès, je vois les moments où j’ai bien travaillé et je me sentais bien. Pour moi, c’est d’être à un endroit, aussi bien physiquement que mentalement, et d’en être fier. Voici quelques exemples de ma définition du succès.

    Bien travailler à l’école

    Comme je suis très attiré par les études, je suis fier de bien travailler à l’école. J’adore étudier et je mets beaucoup d’efforts dans mes études, surtout les sciences. ! Obtenir de bonnes notes est très important pour moi à cause de la carrière que j’ai choisie – pédiatre. Cela exige 11 ans d’études !

    Être impliqué dans ma communauté

    Alors que certains sont attirés par le sport ou les arts, je dirais que, hors de l’école, j’ai envie d’améliorer ma communauté en prenant des initiatives. J’ai participé à beaucoup de clubs dans mon école et j’ai tenu des postes de création et de responsabilité. Être impliqué me donne le sentiment de réussir parce que cela me permet de faire partie de quelque chose de plus grand que moi.

    S’amuser avec des amis

    Je suis sûre que beaucoup de gens sont d’accord avec moi lorsque je dis que passer du temps avec ses amis amène beaucoup de joie ! Je ne peux plus le faire physiquement, mais je prends toujours le temps de passer du temps avec eux, soit par des appels téléphoniques, soit par des appels vidéo ou encore par des jeux en ligne. Je suis une personne très sociable, alors c’est très gratifiant d’avoir du plaisir avec des personnes me sont sympathiques et qui veillent sur moi. Pour moi, c’est ça, le succès.

    Rester en santé

    Me garder en santé et respecter mon corps est l’une des façons de me sentir bien. Lorsque vous le faites, vous êtes plus efficace, vous vous sentez plus heureux et vous vivez même plus longtemps ! Premièrement, je mange des repas nourrissants – 3 repas nourrissants, pour être précis. Ne sautez jamais le déjeuner ! J’essaie aussi de faire régulièrement des exercices modérés, comme une promenade en vélo ou une marche dans mon quartier. Un autre élément important pour moi est le sommeil ! J’avais l’habitude d’essayer d’étirer mon énergie en allant à l’école avec moins de 5 heures de sommeil par nuit. Une fois que j’ai décidé de passer à 7 ou 8 heures de sommeil, j’ai ressenti immédiatement une énorme amélioration. C’est carrément arrivé du jour au lendemain. Avec toutes ces améliorations, je peux dire avec certitude qu’entretenir ma santé a été un grand succès pour moi.

    Santé mentale et bien-être

    En plus de l’importance de se garder en bonne forme physique, travailler sur sa santé mentale est l’élément fondamental du vrai succès. Dans l’agitation de la vie moderne, ça peut sembler impossible de comprendre la santé mentale – mais, ça n’a pas besoin d’être comme ça ! Donnez la priorité à votre bien-être et faites des choses qui vous font du bien. Ne soyez pas trop dur envers vous-même. Lorsque je suis en bonne santé mentale, je me sens bien.

    Généralement, réussir dans ces aspects de ma vie me permet de me sentir bien. Mais, c’est important de reconnaitre que chacun a des objectifs différents et des définitions du succès distinctes. Ce qui est un succès pour une personne peut être totalement opposé à la définition d’une autre personne. Pour moi, le succès c’est d’atteindre mes objectifs dans ces 5 aspects de ma vie !

  • Un nouveau départ en 2021

    Dans l’ensemble, 2020 n’est pas l’année que nous avions prédit. Je n’oublierai jamais la veille du jour de l’an 2019, lorsque tout le monde était totalement ravi du retour des célèbres et folles années 20 ; cela devait être une année d’émerveillements et d’enthousiasme. Cependant, peu après le début de l’année, nous avons été bombardés par des rumeurs d’un virus dangereux qui se répandait rapidement. Du coup, nous nous sommes retrouvés au milieu d’une folle pandémie. Bien sûr, les défis ont continué. Il y a eu des frelons redoutés, la mort de personnalités adorées, comme Kobe Bryant et les feux de forêt dévastateurs d’Australie qui ont tué ou chassé environ 3 milliards d’animaux. Malgré tout, nous avons survécu à cette année difficile et nous nous retrouvons au début de l’année 2021 tant attendue. Alors que nous accueillons les premières semaines de l’année, je réfléchis beaucoup à la façon dont je vais affronter cette nouvelle année. C’est presque un nouveau monde maintenant, puisque 2020 a changé tous les aspects de ma vie. Bien que nous ayons pris l’habitude de la distanciation sociale et de l’auto-isolation, cela ne veut pas dire que nous ne pouvons pas essayer de nous construire une meilleure année, plus heureuse et en meilleure santé.

    Recommencer à zéro est bien plus difficile qu’on peut le penser. Lorsque nous trouvons le courage d’avancer et de recommencer à zéro, cela semble si simple, vu de l’extérieur. Au début, c’est facile. Mais, au fur et à mesure que le temps passe, c’est plus difficile de lutter et de s’adapter. Seul quelqu’un qui a essayé de le faire sait combien c’est difficile. Ça n’a rien à voir avec l’extérieur, mais plutôt avec votre état d’esprit. Parfois, nous pensons, lorsque nous commençons dans un nouvel endroit, que toutes nos vieilles difficultés ont disparu. Mais, ce n’est pas vrai. Alors que nous avons atteint 2021, le virus est toujours aussi dangereux qu’en 2020. Mais, cette fois-ci, nous le savons et devons choisir comment faire pour avancer avec cette certitude. Vous demandez-vous, comment vais-je faire ? Oui, l’année a changé, mais comment allez-vous changer avec elle ? Ci-dessous, je mentionne quelques conseils personnalisés pour entamer 2021 d’une nouvelle façon énergique.

    Déterminez où vous vous situez maintenant : afin de recommencer à zéro, vous devez déterminer votre point de départ. C’est totalement correct de ne pas être où vous le souhaitez. ; après tout, c’est pour ça que vous voulez recommencer. Examinez ce que vous désirez changer. Par exemple, si vous voulez passer moins de temps sur les réseaux sociaux, observez combien de temps vous pouvez tenir sans y aller. Essayez de regarder un film, de lire un livre ou d’écrire quelque chose. Rappelez-vous d’être honnête avec vous-même et de ne pas enjoliver.

    Commencez petit : je recommande vivement de commencer en instaurant de petites modifications. Peut-être, vous pouvez manger plus sainement au déjeuner ou diminuer progressivement le temps que vous passez sur votre téléphone. À la fin, ce sont les petits changements qui deviennent les plus efficaces.

    Rappelez-vous que c’est correct de ressentir des émotions négatives : ne soyez pas trop dur avec vous-même lorsque vous recommencez à zéro. Essayez de distinguer vos problèmes personnels de ceux générés par la pandémie. Comme je l’ai déjà dit, ce n’est pas l’état de votre environnement extérieur que vous devez modifier, mais votre attitude envers lui. Nous commençons une année comme nous avons fini la précédente, mais qu’allons-nous faire pour la rendre plus supportable. ? Être positif ne veut pas dire être heureux tous les jours. Cela signifie que vous pouvez aller vous coucher après une longue et fatigante journée et en vous disant que des jours meilleurs arrivent.

    Préparez-vous : lorsque vous serez dans le processus de modification de votre état d’esprit et de votre vie (surtout pendant ces situations éprouvantes), vous vous heurterez à des obstacles et à des difficultés. Il y aura des jours où vous aurez des rechutes et retomberez dans de vieilles habitudes, mais c’est tout simplement naturel. Souvenez-vous que vos difficultés ne vous définissent pas. Vous n’êtes pas défini par les défis auxquels vous êtes confronté. Soyez gentil et bon envers vous-même.

    Chaque jour est une nouvelle occasion pour vous de modifier les choses – tenez bon !

     

    Source

    CBC. “About 3 billion animals harmed in Australian bushfires, WWF says.” https://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/australia-bushfires-1.5666994

  • La compassion : l’élément essentiel pour la paix et la compréhension en ces temps difficiles

    La pandémie de la COVID-19 nous a amenés compter plus que jamais sur les plateformes numériques et la plupart des entreprises ont augmenté leurs centres d’appel pour répondre au volume d’appels qu’ils reçoivent. Après tout, comme la majorité des gens étudie à la maison ou se retrouve en télétravail, elle a plus de temps pour vraiment contacter les préposés au service à la clientèle pour des problèmes avec la livraison, le remboursement ou les paiements, que ce soit par appels téléphoniques ou par clavardages plutôt que d’avoir recours seulement aux courriels.

    Selon un récent sondage de Salesforce, les consommateurs ont de plus grandes exigences des services à la clientèle en ces temps difficiles de pandémie. Ils s’attendent à ce que les entreprises leur fournissent un service à la clientèle sans faille autant qu’un produit ou un service de grande qualité.  En plus, environ 70 % d’entre eux s’attendent à de l’empathie de la part des entreprises.

    L’empathie est un mot qu’on entend beaucoup en ce moment, mais nous ne sommes pas certains d’en saisir pleinement le sens. Pour le secteur du service à la clientèle, l’empathie est le fondement de l’excellence. Les consommateurs recherchent plus que des réponses utiles, mais robotiques, à leurs problèmes. Ils ont plutôt envie d’une oreille empathique qui comprend ce qu’ils vivent. En pratiquant l’empathie, les préposés au service à la clientèle peuvent dire qu’ils font du bon travail.

    Et l’empathie n’est pas seulement pour le secteur du service à la clientèle. C’est également très important dans les situations de tous les jours, comme lorsque l’un de vos camarades de classe a peur de rater une matière importante ou l’un de vos voisins qui souffre d’une maladie grave. Si vous êtes une personne qui a développé un esprit empathique, la compassion n’est pas loin.

    Voici des conseils pour développer la compassion dans votre vie quotidienne :

    • Pratiquez la compassion pour vous-même.

    Tout commence par vous et c’est la même chose en ce qui concerne la compassion. C’est toujours parfait d’être conscient de soi, surtout sur ces points que nous devons améliorer, mais la frontière est mince entre la réalisation de soi et trop d’autocritique. Vous devez être bon envers vous-même et vous devez savoir que lorsque les choses deviennent difficiles, vous donnez le meilleur de vous-même.

    • Mettez-vous à la place de l’autre.

    De nos jours, c’est facile de se laisser rattraper par le stress ambiant, quand la vie que vous connaissiez a changé de direction soudainement. Qui aurait imaginé que c’est maintenant normal de faire la queue plus longtemps au supermarché ? Si vous vous impatientez facilement en attendant plus longtemps, pensez aux caissiers qui doivent faire un travail méticuleux pour garantir votre santé et sécurité ainsi que celles des autres. À cause de la COVID-19, les caissiers doivent s’assurer de suivre des protocoles de nettoyage à la caisse après chaque client, vous le savez, alors vous pouvez patienter quelques minutes supplémentaires.

    • Soyez gentil, mais ne vous en vantez pas.

    Effectuer des actes de gentillesse comme emballer bénévolement de la nourriture pour les banques alimentaires est, en effet, admirable, mais résistez à la tentation de publier le fait sur vos comptes de réseaux sociaux pour générer plus de mentions j’aime. Être gentil ne devrait pas générer de l’attention. C’est aider ceux qui en ont besoin et s’assurer de bien faire le travail.

    • Ne faites pas de suppositions.

    Lorsque quelqu’un vous approche dans la rue et demande de l’aide, vous arrêtez-vous pour au moins écouter la personne ou vous éloignez-vous sans y penser plus loin ? Nous sommes, trop souvent, tellement impliqués dans nos activités quotidiennes que nous avons tendance à ignorer les autres parce que nous supposons qu’ils vont demander quelque chose que nous ne pouvons pas offrir ou alors qu’ils prétendent seulement avoir besoin d’aide. Ne faites pas de suppositions et donnez à la personne la possibilité d’être entendue. Cela ne prendra que quelques secondes de votre temps.

    • Soyez présent.

    Lorsque nous aidons les autres, combien d’entre nous peuvent dire que nous sommes vraiment tout à notre tâche ? Parfois, nous pouvons faire du travail bénévole, mais en même temps, nous contactons nos amis ou notre famille en leur demandant quelles sont leurs intentions pour la soirée pour pouvoir vous rencontrer, ou encore nous vérifions les nouvelles de célébrités sur Instagram. Si nous voulons vraiment aider les autres, nous devons éviter toute distraction et être entièrement présents.

    La vie peut devenir plus difficile, mais ce n’est pas une raison pour être dur envers vous-même ou les autres. Pratiquez la compassion et cela créera les bases d’un monde meilleur pour tous.

     

    SOURCES

    https://www.zdnet.com/article/state-of-connected-customer-research-2020/

    https://chopra.com/articles/how-to-practice-compassion-when-it-seems-impossible

    https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-23406/10-easy-ways-to-cultivate-compassion.html

    https://positivepsychology.com/how-to-practice-self-compassion/

  • When Everything Becomes Too Much: Managing COVID-19 Fatigue

    When Everything Becomes Too Much: Managing COVID-19 Fatigue

    Even with vaccinations already taking place in several parts of Canada within the priority sectors, COVID-19 isn’t showing signs of slowing down. As of December 19, 2020, the number of positive cases in the country surpassed half a million, with the global count pegged at 76 million. There are fears of a “twindemic” as the cold weather sets in throughout Canada and most parts of the world.

    As a result, the overall mental well-being of majority of the Canadian population is in dire straits. According to the newest wave of data collected through a nationwide monitoring survey on the mental health impacts of COVID-19, released in December 2020 by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) in partnership with UBC researchers, including the Faculty of Medicine’s Dr. Anne Gadermann,

    40 per cent of Canadians say their mental health has deteriorated since March when the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the virus as a pandemic.

    The decline is more pronounced in those who are unemployed (61 per cent), those with a pre-existing mental health issue (61 per cent), younger people ages 18-24 (60 per cent), Indigenous peoples (54 per cent), those who identify as LGBTQ2+ (54 per cent), and those with a disability (50 per cent).

    Some of us may have fallen susceptible to what psychological health experts refer to as COVID-19 fatigue. Alison Buttenheim, a behavioral epidemiologist at the University of Pennsylvania, explains this syndrome to being like in a prolonged state of “fight or flight.”

    As we all know, the fight-or-flight response (also known as the acute stress response), is a natural physiological reaction that occurs when we are faced with something terrifying, either physically or mentally. Hormones are released in our bodies to prepare it to either stay and deal with the threat or to run for safety. But as noted by Eric Zillmer, a licensed clinical psychologist based at Drexel University in Philadelphia, the fight-or-flight response is helpful for short-lived emergencies, not for a long-term crisis like COVID-19. These days, we’re in a constant state of emergency, which causes stress and anxiety and is likely to push us over the edge.

    While there’s no overnight solution to conquering COVID-19 exhaustion, there are ways to keep it in check. One approach is to establish a routine. Even though your class schedules or part-time work schedules may be all over the place as a result of the uncertainties that come with provincial and city-wide restrictions, do your best to keep them well-aligned. Doing so creates stability and therefore leads to minimized stress levels.

    Another way is to create a positive narrative by keeping a journal and filling it with good aspects in your life. Starting a gratitude journal can also help.

    On that note of staying positive, it’s also important to avoid any negative coping strategies, such as rebellious behaviour of not wearing masks in indoor places and hosting large parties which violate the physical distancing rules. The gratification in this type of behaviour, if any, is superficial, and what’s worse is that it will put you and the people around you at risk of contracting the virus.

    Practicing self-care is also an ideal way to beating COVID-19 burnout. This can be done in several ways, like scheduling a me-time where you enjoy your favourite treat or snacks while watching a feel-good movie or listening to your favourite band.

    And since we’re social beings, it’s always recommended to reach out to family and friends online. It might not be the same as being in the same physical space, of course, but digital video conferencing platforms like Zoom are a good alternative. In addition, you and your loved ones can also enjoy a plethora of online games to keep Game Night very much alive.

    It’s been ten months, and all throughout that time, we’ve been told time and again that a sense of normalcy is a long road ahead. For now, we have to accept that this is the temporary normal and look forward to when vaccination efforts start to roll out on a wider scale. Times are tough indeed, but we can continue to hang in there. Be strong.

     

    SOURCES 

    https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-12-covid-caution-fatigue-ways.html

    https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/how-to-deal-with-coronavirus-burnout-and-pandemic-fatigue

    https://www.med.ubc.ca/news/new-national-survey-finds-canadians-mental-health-eroding-as-pandemic-continues/

    https://covid19tracker.ca/

    https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-fight-or-flight-response-2795194

  • How to Improve a Boring Class

    How to Improve a Boring Class

    By Erin Rebello

    We’ve all been there at one point: the words your teacher is speaking seem to be fading away and you just can’t concentrate – the class is too boring to stay focused. As a student, you’ll likely have to deal with your fair share of mind-numbing classes over the years. Although they can be difficult to handle, here are some ways to approach and perhaps even improve a boring class.

    Do Your Research About the Class Before Signing up for It

    If you’re a high school student and have the option to choose your classes, you should definitely be doing a bit of research about the class before putting it on your schedule! You might think that a class seems interesting, but consider looking at the syllabus or talking with the teacher. As well, you can also get in touch with students who have taken the course in the past, to ask for their opinions on the course and get a student perspective. Doing research will prevent you from taking a class you’re disinterested in.

    Try to Engage with the Class

    If you’re only passively taking notes during class and not doing anything else, even the most interesting course can seem incredibly boring. The best way to improve your interest in a class is by engaging with its content. Engagement looks very different depending on the class, but for most courses, asking and answering questions is a great start. Participating will give you a better grasp of the content you’re learning, and is very beneficial in the long run. An added bonus is that your teacher will love you for participating in class, and you might even get extra credit!

    Speak with Your Teacher

    Communication is key to any good relationship, and a teacher-student relationship is no different. If you’re having trouble engaging with the content, speak with your teacher about it. Although it might be scary to speak with your teacher, they’re humans too and they care about your learning. Feel free to talk about specific issues with the course, and perhaps some (reasonable) ideas for changes that would make the class more interesting. Many teachers are always trying to improve, and are searching for ways to make their class more engaging for their students, so they will likely appreciate your feedback. If they choose to implement your ideas, you may find immediate changes in how interesting the class is!

    Consider Deeper Issues

    Finally, if you find that you’re constantly having trouble with being interested in the class, there may be a deeper problem at play than simply being disinterested in the subject. Last semester I took a physics class that I thought was really boring, and I was constantly falling asleep in class. This was a recurring pattern, and I ended up speaking with my doctor and soon learned that I had a health issue that made me feel more tired than normal. Similarly, there are conditions like ADHD and depression, that make it difficult to engage with a class. If you think that you might have an underlying medical condition, you should speak with your parent or guardian, and talk to you family doctor for further direction.

  • FOMO: The Fear of Missing Out

    FOMO: The Fear of Missing Out

    By Erin Rebello

    FOMO is something that we have all felt at some point in time. Whether it’s missing a party, a job opportunity, or even a cool project, the fear of missing out is a real issue. Although the fear of missing out can be difficult to overcome at times, it’s important to deal with this fear early on, and prevent it from developing into something worse.

    What is FOMO?

    As stated earlier, FOMO stands for “fear of missing out”. FOMO occurs when you choose not to do something and feel regret later, because you feel like you’re missing out. For example, you might decide to stay home and study instead of attending a party. Although studying is helpful, you may feel as though you’re missing out on the fun that everyone else is having. This fear of missing out is also exacerbated with the widespread use of social media, where you only see the best parts of a person’s life.

    What Causes FOMO?

    In general, the fear of missing out can be explained by a business concept known as “opportunity cost”. Every time we make a decision, no matter how small or insignificant, we choose to follow one path, effectively destroying the other potential paths. This loss is essentially the “cost” we pay for our decision. For example, if you have ten dollars that you choose to spend instead of saving, the opportunity cost of your decision is less money in your savings account for the future. Although this is typically a business term, since we’re always making decisions, thinking about FOMO in terms of opportunity cost is a great way to conceptualize how the cost of one opportunity can cause a fear of missing out.

    Who does FOMO Affect?

    Essentially everyone is victim to the anxiety caused by feeling like you’re missing out. FOMO is a very real feeling, and it can happen to anyone, causing them to second-guess their feelings. Even someone who is typically very confident about their decisions can come up against the fear of missing out. FOMO is a universal experience, but we’ve only really had a concrete name for it for the past few years.

    Why is FOMO Harmful?

    Although the fear of missing out is a normal human emotion, it can be harmful to a person over time. If you’re constantly worrying about missing out on what others are doing, you may develop severe insecurities and anxieties. I have personally experienced a lot of FOMO when I went on a trip halfway across the world to see my family in India, last Christmas break. I missed so many Christmas experiences with my friends, including the Christmas concert, a party, and essentially all of the festivities at my school. Although I loved India, I couldn’t help but feel that I was seriously missing out, and it hurt. Although I eventually got over it and enjoyed my trip, FOMO really got into my head for a while!

    How can we Prevent FOMO?

    The only way to really deal with FOMO is by working to change your mentality, and perhaps looking at the situation in a different way. The fear of missing out is our brain telling us that it’s scared that we made the wrong decision. For this reason, we can prevent FOMO by working on building self-confidence in our abilities. We can also fend off FOMO by practicing gratitude and being grateful for the path we ended up choosing. Life is far too short to live in fear and regret, so we shouldn’t let something like FOMO stop us from making important decisions!

  • A Beginner’s Guide to Meditation

    A Beginner’s Guide to Meditation

    When you hear the word “meditation,” the first thought that probably comes into your mind is that it’s solely for older folks. However, there have been numerous studies of the benefits of learning and practicing meditation techniques at a young age. If the adage “It’s never too late to learn something new” rings true, so does “It’s never too early to learn something new.”

    Meditation offers several advantages for one’s mental, emotional, and physical health. For students specifically, the practice of meditation can help alleviate the stress that comes with the pressure of maintaining an academic life, which has alarmingly increased because of the limitations that the COVID-19 virus enforces on their social lives.

    Before we get started on this beginner’s guide to meditation, it helps to know how it began in the first place. The word meditation stems from meditatum, a Latin term that means “to ponder.” Meditation allows an individual to find a better connection with their body in their daily life and help them become more aware of how emotions influence their behavior. The practice of meditation has become more important in these fast-paced times made up mostly of modern technology and forward thinking.

    The exact date when meditation began is unknown, but archeologists and scholars agree it has been around for about 5,000 years. Documented evidence of meditation, however, was discovered in ancient India, stemming from the teachings of Vedas, which is why it is attributed to India as the place of origin.

    Now, let’s move on to how you can introduce the wonders of meditation into your life.

    Start with the basics.

    Whether you’re in school in person or online, allot two to five minutes of your time each day before the class begins to do breathing exercises. Sit up straight as best you can, close your eyes, and breathe in and out deeply through your nose, allowing your shoulders and arms to relax as you go on. Try to immerse yourself completely in the moment, and don’t allow yourself to be disturbed by any distractions. Let your mind flow freely and be one with your breathing.

    Do this consistently for a few weeks, and once you’ve become fully comfortable with this technique, you’ll be ready to move on.

    Focus on colours.

    It’s instinctive for youth to have an ever-curious mind and an active pair of watchful eyes, and this meditation technique will help enhance those abilities even more.

    For this one, you can keep your eyes open. Do this technique whether you’re on the bus on the way to school or at home doing your homework. Take some mindful breaths and allow your body to relax. Then look around at your surroundings and focus on a colour you see. Try to view it as if it’s your first time seeing that colour and do your best to think of the colour’s significance in your life. Take more deep breaths, and after five minutes, go back to what you’re doing.

    Chant mantras.

    A variation of the basic technique of breathing for meditation is to chant mantras. It can be anything you want, whether it’s a quote from your favourite book or movie, or a lyric from a beloved song. Its message should be positive so it uplifts your spirits, like “It’s up to you how far you’ll go. If you don’t try, you’ll never know” from the animated movie, The Sword and the Stone. Keep repeating it for at least two to five minutes.

    These upbeat declarations are a good way to keep a courageous and optimistic attitude alive and make you feel you’re ready to take on the world and make an impact.

    Utilize apps.

    The wonders of technology can also be instrumental into turning you into a meditation-savvy individual. There are plenty of meditation apps that can help you with effective methods.

    A popular one is Headspace, which promotes calmness and wellness of life through an immense collections of meditation music and nature sounds to encourage your young mind. Calm is also another app that comes highly recommended. This app offers practice breathing techniques, walking meditation, calming and relaxation exercises.

    Now that you’re aware of the foundation of meditation, it’s time to put your knowledge into practice. Be calm and carry on!

     

    SOURCES

    https://famisafe.wondershare.com/app-review/best-meditation-apps-for-kids.html

    https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/simple-meditation-techniques-for-kids/#ChantingPower

    https://mindfulnessexercises.com/focusing-on-the-colors-you-see/ 

    https://www.lovejoyandwonder.com/easy-meditation-techniques-for-beginners/

    https://chopra.com/articles/the-history-of-meditation

  • Job Profile: Pediatrician

    Job Profile: Pediatrician

    By Erin Rebello

    Do you love working with children? Have you considered a career in the medical field? Does diagnosing illnesses sound like fun to you? If you’ve answered “yes” to any of these questions, then a career in pediatrics might just be the one for you! Pediatricians are a specific type of doctor that work with children ranging in age from 0 to 18. Most pediatricians facilitate check-ups with patients in a clinic or doctor’s office, but a few of the more specialized ones work with specific populations, like premature-babies, or children with cancer. In fact, you might have even visited a pediatrician in the past as a young child without knowing! A career in pediatrics can be very fulfilling, but there’s definitely a lot you have to do before you perform your first check-up.

    Education Level

    Like any other doctor specialty, a career in pediatrics is a lifelong commitment, and thus requires a lot of education. After high school, you’ll first spend the next four years in university to get your bachelor’s degree. Then, you’ll need to spend another four years in medical school to get your MD. Although you’re technically a doctor after getting your MD, you still need at least three more years of training in a residency before you’re a fully-fledged pediatrician! After that, many pediatricians go into outpatient care (clinics) while the minority will spend more time in specific residencies for further training. In total, training to be a pediatrician takes over 11 years and is definitely a huge commitment. Not only this, but being a physician in Canada is extremely difficult, and only around 10% to 20% of applicants get into medical school every year. Although being a pediatrician is doable, you’ll have to make sure to study really hard!

    Salary Level

    Although being a doctor requires a lot of education, there’s definitely a huge payoff in terms of salary. During your three or more years of residency after getting your MD, you’ll typically make around $60,000, which is no “chump change!” After being a fully-fledged pediatrician, your salary will likely double or triple. In Ontario, the average pediatrician will make around $230,000 every year. In most other provinces, the average salary of a pediatrician remains in the $200,000 to $300,000 range, and only fluctuates slightly based on the cost of living in the region.

    Outlook and Opportunities

    Another great thing about a career in pediatrics is the fact that physicians are always in demand. In fact, with Canada’s physician shortage, pediatricians are more in demand than ever before! For this reason, there is a very positive outlook for a career in pediatrics, both now and in the future.

    In addition to the longevity of a career in pediatrics, being a pediatrician also opens the door to many other opportunities. As mentioned early, many pediatricians have the ability to further advance their careers by taking an additional residency to learn a new set of skills. Some pediatric specialties include surgery, emergency medicine, oncology (cancer specialty), and much more. Because of this, pediatricians have a lot of options as to how they can shift their careers if they want a change from outpatient care.

    How to Get Started

    If you’ve read this far, you’re probably very eager to learn about what you can do to start on your path to becoming a pediatrician. In elementary and even high school, there isn’t much that you can do to prepare for a career in medical school. Your grades start to matter more in university, and even then, you’ll only start to learn actual medicine in medical school. Although this might seem disheartening, it’s actually really good, as it gives you plenty of time to learn and grow as a person. That way, when you’re in university you’ll have thought long and hard about whether a career in medicine and pediatrics is right for you.

     

    Sources:

    https://www.payscale.com/rcsearch.aspx?category=&str=Resident+doctor&CountryName=Canada&SourceId=Country

    https://www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/medical-schools-in-canada

    https://www.dr-bill.ca/blog/practice-management/doctor-starting-salary-in-canada-by-specialty/#:~:text=Resident%20doctor%20salary%20is%20around,first%20year%20doctor%20starting%20salary

  • Why Saving Money Now Is More Important Than Ever

    Why Saving Money Now Is More Important Than Ever

    As the pandemic rages on, people continue to suffer from its economic impact, with the unemployment rate pegged at 8.5 percent as of November 2020. However, there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel, as experts say that the country’s labour market is slowly bouncing back, adding 62,000 jobs in the same month. Still, if there’s one thing COVID-19 has taught us, it’s that uncertainty is a given. With a number of both big and small businesses struggling to stay afloat, it’s a wise move to examine one’s financial health and deduce whether it’s strong enough to survive these challenging times.

    Overall, Canadians have realized the importance of saving money. In fact, according to a report released by Scotiabank, since the pandemic began, 79% of Canadians have been careful on how they spend their money, with 58% say they put extra money they’re not spending into savings accounts, while 38% are adding to their investments. With all our lives seemingly put on a pause, travel and entertainment expenses have become a thing of the past, and this is one area in which people see savings potential the most.

    Of course, if you don’t count yourself as among the 79% who have turned financial savings savvy during these COVID-19 times, it’s not too late to start making an effort now. Below are surefire tips that will point you to the right direction.

    Examine how you spend your money.

    Take time to thoroughly do an assessment of your spending. Go through your online banking account, credit card statements, and bills, and see if you notice a pattern on how you’re spending your earnings. If you tend to shop online as soon as your pay cheque comes in and then wait a few days before paying your bills, come up with a plan that will reverse this habit. For example, set up automatic payments for your phone bill and other necessities and don’t think about shopping online until all your monthly bills are paid. In addition, never settle for simply paying the minimum due. Paying off the whole due amount should be your goal.

    Set up an automatic savings plan.

    Along with keeping your bill payments in check and curtailing your online shopping, set up an automatic savings plan. This way, you have funds set aside as soon as money comes into your bank account, and you will not have to worry about setting a budget each month on how much to save. This allows you to be more disciplined with a savings plan because the amount is set – there is no need to do bargaining tricks with yourself to figure out how much to set aside. It doesn’t have to be a big amount of your earnings. You can start small and then work your way up gradually once you’re comfortable with the idea that a chunk of your earnings is put into your savings account automatically.

    Always have a shopping list – and stick to it!

    If you’re heading to the supermarket, be sure to make a list of the things you need first. Sure, it sounds old-fashioned, but it’s a great way for you to keep your spending in check, instead of picking up items at random because you have a craving for them or they are in the discount pile. Create a meal plan each week, if you can, so you have a clearer idea of which items to buy. And don’t be shy in utilizing those grocery flyers and supermarket coupons. When you’re saving money, a little always goes a long way.

    Maximize customer rewards programs.

    If you do have to shop for new clothing items, electronic products, and school supplies, choose stores that offer a customer rewards program. This way, you’re actually getting something back for your spending, even though it may take a while for you to earn the necessary points to get those rewards. But beware of the temptation to shop more to rack up points – this is a tactic for those businesses to get you to spend more. Sometimes it pays off, but most of the time, it tempts you to buy items that you’re not necessarily looking to buy in the first place.

    Negotiate for better deals.

    This one may be a bit of a long shot, but it’s still worth a try. Check your subscriptions, including online magazine, cable, movie and TV show streaming, and others. Reach out to the customer service team and do your best to negotiate for a lower price. For example, if you have cable, check for the channels that you don’t normally watch and mention that when you’re on the phone with them in hopes of getting a better deal. There’s no guarantee that they’ll say yes, but if they do, it’s definitely worth the effort, wouldn’t you agree?

    So there you have it – great tips to turn you into a savings specialist. Start saving!

     

    SOURCES 

    https://financialpost.com/news/economy/canada-statistics-agency-eyes-savings-pot-of-cash-for-hints-on-recovery-2

    https://refreshfinancial.ca/blog/financial-news-and-advice/10-ways-saving-money-can-better-your-life/

    https://www.thesimpledollar.com/save-money/little-steps-100-great-tips-for-saving-money-for-those-just-getting-started/

    https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/canadians-spend-cautiously-opt-to-save-for-emergency-funds-and-investments-scotiabank-report-reveals-885341684.html

    https://globalnews.ca/news/7501537/canada-labour-market-november-2020/

  • Taking the Trades Online: How to Learn Trades Skills without Leaving Your Homes

    Taking the Trades Online: How to Learn Trades Skills without Leaving Your Homes

    At the onset of the pandemic, among the sectors that were drastically affected was the educational sector, as the closure of colleges and universities across Canada was high in priority in the federal government’s to-do list to protect students from the onslaught of the virus. As a result, post-secondary students where thrust into a digital academic environment as their courses moved online. Some students were not as lucky and had their courses postponed altogether.

    Back in April until May, Statistics Canada reported the results of crowdsourcing data collection completed by over 100,000 post-secondary students during this period, indicating more than one-quarter (26%) of respondents had some of their courses postponed or cancelled as a result of the pandemic. The academic disruption had various effects over different fields of study, but trades was largely affected (53%) because of the requirements of job placements or course work such as labs, applied learning, and hands-on instruction that cannot be transferred onto a digital platform.

    Fast-forward to nine months later, and things seem to be heading in the right direction for the students who are interested in continuing their studies in trades. More and more institutions recognize the need and have embraced online learning platforms to ensure that education continues.

    Automotive Training Centre
    Available in Surrey, BC and Toronto, ON

    If you’re a car enthusiast, this option is definitely worth looking into. Automotive Training Centres or ATC have two campuses throughout Canada, one in Surrey, BC and the other in Toronto, ON. However, they now provide online learning, so whether it’s repair, dispatch, or running an auto shop that piques your interest, this one’s for you. Of course, ATC still provides the option of learning in-class if you’re looking more into mechanical or auto-body repair. They have repair facilities available for you to acquire hands-on experience.

    International Career School (Canada)

    International Career School or ICS provides over 55 online training programs, the majority of which are focused on the trades. They have affordable learning programs and ensure that the content is updated regularly to provide a seamless educational experience for students. Among the trades programs they offer are animal care (Pet Grooming), automotive (Automotive Mechanics, Diesel Mechanics, Motorcycle Repair, Small Engine Repair), culinary (Gourmet Cooking), Design (Drafting with AutoCAD, Dressmaking & Design, Floral Design, Interior Decorating, Jewelry Design & Repair), Aircraft Mechanics, Appliance Repair, Electronics, and others.

    Full Sail University

    Full Sail University is another school that offers a wide variety of programs, including ones that focus on trades. They offer both online and in-campus options for you to hone your trades skills, including 3D Arts and Audio Arts. Full Sail University is committed to student-centered education through its online programs by organizing online lectures with exclusive industry veterans and providing access to a technical support team.

    CDI College

    CDI College has campuses throughout Canada but offers online learning as well. In its more than 50 years of providing quality education, CDI College prides itself in changing people’s lives for the better. Among the trades programs offered are Veterinary Health Care Assistant and Computer-Aided Design and Drafting Specialist.

    As schools increasingly realize the need for online education, more and more trades courses will become available. If you are interested in a career in the trades, do not let the pandemic stop you. Take a closer look at the courses listed above as well as others.

     

    SOURCES

    https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/45-28-0001/2020001/article/00015-eng.htm

    https://www.trade-schools.net/ca/automotive-training-centres/

    https://www.autotrainingcentre.com/

    https://www.trade-schools.net/ca/ics-canada/

    https://www.icslearn.ca/

    https://www.trade-schools.net/full-sail-university/

    https://www.fullsail.edu/