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Category: Advice

  • Tips to Know Who To Vote For in an Election (French version available)

    Tips to Know Who To Vote For in an Election (French version available)

    By Avreet Jagdev

    As citizens, we have the duty to be civically involved. Civic involvement means staying involved in your community in a way that makes a difference — this can be through political or non-political ways. Examples include volunteering, staying informed on what is going on in your community, and donating to your local food bank. One of the most important aspects of civic engagement is voting.

    Voting is an absolute essential part of democracy. It is what gives ordinary people the power to choose who governs them. When you vote, you get to have your voice heard and make a difference in how your community and country are run.

    However, with this power can come some pressure. It can be difficult and overwhelming to know who to vote for. So how do you make an informed voting decision?

    1. Stay informed

    It is important to stay informed, not just during elections, but between them as well. Do your best to have some general knowledge on what is going on in your community, country, and around the globe. When the next election rolls around, you will already have a lot of information to base your vote on.

    Staying informed doesn’t have to be stressful! It can be as simple as turning on the news channel when you’re doing your chores or reading an article on your commute to school.

    1. Talk to friends and family.

    Although some families have the rule of “no politics at the dinner table”, talking to your family and friends can help you decide who to vote for. They might not always share the same views as you, but having discussions (and maybe even debates) on political issues can help develop your own views, which will make it easier for you to make your decision on who to vote for.

    1. Do your research

    As the election draws nearer, make sure to do your research on the candidates running in your area. Most candidates will have websites where you can read about them and their specific platforms. It can also help to watch debates and read or listen to interviews.

    1. Reach out to candidates

    If you have specific questions or concerns that a candidate hasn’t touched on in their platform, try reaching out to them! You should be able to find their contact information on their website. Candidates usually have entire teams of people who help answer these questions so that voters can make well-informed choices.

    1. Use an online tool like VoteCompass

    Some online tools, such as VoteCompass, can help you decide who to vote for by asking you questions and showing you how your answers align with different candidates or parties. If you’re completely stuck, this can be a good place to start!

    It can be overwhelming to decide who to vote for, especially when it’s your first time. However, following these tips can help make the process a whole lot easier.  At the end of the day, remember to vote for someone who represents your values and what matters to you.

  • Tips to Avoid Zoom Fatigue

    Tips to Avoid Zoom Fatigue

    By Selina

    The pandemic resulted in a tremendous increase in the time we spend on video conferencing calls and meetings using platforms such as Zoom. The term “Zoom fatigue” has become commonplace; it was coined to describe the exhaustion resulting by constant video calls. Although Zoom is one of the most widely used video conferencing platforms today, the term can also be applied to other platforms as well (such as Microsoft Teams, Skype, Google Meet, and FaceTime).

    What causes “Zoom fatigue”?

    Video calls require more mental processing power compared to face-to-face interactions. Our brains have to work together to interpret the non-verbal cues that we can rely on in-person, including body language and voice tone. Fatigue can also result from the technical issues and annoyances that often occur during these video conferencing meetings, such as people not muting their microphones and having a lot of excessive background noise, screen delay, or freezing, and other technical problems.

    What are some tips to avoid “Zoom fatigue”?

    1) Plan Ahead and Shorten Meetings

    Lengthy virtual meetings can be tiring and frustrating. The shift to remote learning and virtual work makes it easier to schedule even more calls than before. However, longer meetings do not necessarily mean they are more effective. Some meeting objectives can be achieved in less time if all participants are focused and come to the meeting with a clear agenda. To shorten meetings, set and distribute an agenda to all participants ahead of time. Being well-prepared helps keep the meeting focused and to the point. Keep the discussion on track.

    2) Schedule Breaks and Avoid Back-to-Back Meetings

    Try to space out your meetings to have breaks in between. Block off at least 15 to 30 minutes in your calendar to avoid having multiple back-to-back Zoom meetings. During break time, stand up and stretch, take a short walk (such as walking the dog), make or grab a cup of coffee, rest your eyes, or use some time away from the screen.

    Prior to the shift to remote learning, commuting to attend meetings or classes in person created natural and necessary breaks in the day. Replicating those breaks in your online environment can help you avoid days that feel like one long, unvaried task.

    3) Use the “20-20-20 Rule” for Your Eyes

    Eye strain is common when you look at the computer screen for too long. Zoom calls and other online learning components that require computer use can lead to increased eye strain. Because the rigours of online learning often mean more screen time, it’s important to make sure your eyes get the rest they need.

    The “20-20-20 Rule” is: For every 20 minutes you spend looking at a screen, take 20 seconds to look at something 20 feet away. Developed by an optometrist in California, this practice can help relax the eye muscles and reduce fatigue.

    4) Avoid Multitasking

    Our brains already have to work harder to process non-verbal cues and body language during non-face-to-face interactions, so there is no need to add more to the brain’s limited processing capacity. Studies have shown that multitasking can reduce performance by as much as 40%.

    Stanford psychologists discovered that multitasking not only affects memory, but it also makes performing simple tasks harder and more taxing. They identified engaging multiple types of media simultaneously as one of the main contributing factors. Removing distractions can help make video conference meetings more productive because you will be more present and feel less fatigued.

    5) Reduce Video Calls by Using Emails, Text-Based Communication Platforms, and Cloud-Based Collaboration Tools

    Some discussions or certain objectives can be accomplished by using simple, text-based communications such as email, discussion forums, or chat platforms (e.g. Discord, Slack). Not only can this help reduce Zoom fatigue, but it can also be more time-efficient as participants can reply or provide their input at a time that is convenient for them (without having to designate a single time slot when everyone is available).

    Cloud-based collaboration tools such as Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Microsoft Online products can help teams work collaboratively on the same documents. This is great for planning, brainstorming, editing, proofreading, and more.

    6) Replace Video Calls with Recorded Asynchronous Video

    A recorded, asynchronous video message can replace a meeting. Tools such as WebEx and Loom have recording options (including screen capture recordings). If you’re looking to kick off a project, provide a project status update, or walk someone through the steps of doing something on the computer, try a screen recording of your slide deck or capture a webcam video of yourself running through the explanation. You will save your and other participants’ time.

    Conclusion

    Online learning and remote work aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Using the above tips to avoid Zoom fatigue can help you feel more alert and productive in your online courses and projects.

     

    Sources

    Vidyard. 10+ Tips to Prevent Zoom Fatigue. https://www.vidyard.com/blog/zoom-fatigue-tips

  • Cure the Winter Blues: Spruce Up Your Space (French version available)

    Cure the Winter Blues: Spruce Up Your Space (French version available)

    Are the winter blahs getting you down? Do you feel like you need a change? If only you could get away from it all.

    Well, maybe you don’t have to. Changing your space (both your physical space and your head space) can make you happier and healthier.

    There are a lot of little things you can do to improve your mood and your outlook on life.

    Colours, for example, are a great way to express yourself and they also emote certain feelings. This concept is called “colour psychology”. Though there isn’t a lot of research on the subject right now, it is commonly considered in marketing, design and art.

    Certain colours are believed to make a room give off a certain vibe. Blue is considered to be a calming, tranquil colour that may help people sleep, which is why lighter shades of blue are often seen in bedrooms. Violet can bring inner peace and balance. Green reminds people of the outdoors and has a calming, refreshing feeling (there’s a reason TV studios leave guests in what is referred to as a “Green Room”). Grey is cooling and soothing. Red is vibrant and brings energy to a room. Yellow is bright, happy and joyful. Brown also represents nature and gives a more earthy feel. And purple (the colour of royalty) often makes people feel sophisticated and wealthy.

    If you are going to paint your room, think of how you would like to feel in the space before you pick a colour. If you want to feel calm and relaxed, you probably wouldn’t want to pick bright red.

    Painting isn’t the only way to spruce up your space. You could create original art for your walls, dresser or bookshelves. Buy a blank canvas at a craft store and let your imagination inspire you. This will help you feel like your room is yours. It will also give you something to do on cold, wintery nights. If you’re handy, you could look at making a new lamp for your desk. There are a number of great ideas online that can get you started. You could try reusing some old household materials and creating a unique statue or sculpture.

    Try moving your furniture around, even just a little bit. People who believe in the power of Feng Shui, which in simple terms is a Chinese system that believes the positioning of certain items in your home has a direct relationship to the flow of energy, believe even a slight movement will help improve the mood in your room.

    Reorganizing your space will not only alleviate the tension between you and your parents, but it is a proven fact that a clean, tidy, organized room has a positive effect on your mood. De-cluttering can make you feel calm, in control and grateful. If you clean out your old clothes that no longer fit, old sporting equipment you don’t use and old toys you have outgrown, you’ll not only notice how lucky you are for having so much, but you can also help others by donating them to a charity or organization for people in need. Another benefit to having a tidy, well-organized space is you will become more creative and efficient. Writing a big paper will be way easier in a room you enjoy being in, rather than a messy, disorganized space you can’t even find the top of your desk in. And actually being able to find your clothes and backpack in the morning will reduce stress and probably make you late less often.

    Whatever you choose to do to embrace your space, make it your own. You’ll be much happier in the long run, and it’ll give you a project to help banish those winter blues.

    Who knows? You may even inspire the rest of your household to revamp, rejuvenate and de-clutter other rooms this winter.

  • How to Cope with Depression in the Family (French version available)

    How to Cope with Depression in the Family (French version available)

    Depression is something that has been in the news a lot recently, thanks in part to the Bell Let’s Talk Day. Only recently have mental health initiatives as large as this one emerged in our culture. There is a historic stigma around sharing one’s mental state, as it has often been viewed as something that is within one’s power to overcome. Recently, mental illness has been defined as a disease; That is, something that one is afflicted with that is not within one’s control. Efforts within the pharmaceutical world have provided a wide range of options for coping with depression, and other, more holistic options are offered that include mental and physical therapy, such as counselling and yoga, respectively.

    People admitting to experiencing mental illness is becoming more common as social efforts to reduce the stigma around the illness are emerging. When a family member admits to having a mental illness, it can be very hard for everyone in the family to handle.

    My personal story with a depressed family member had a major impact on the direction of my life. When I was completing my first university degree and was enrolled in my City of Ottawa co-op program, I learned that my aunt was experiencing depression as a result of an accumulation of factors, including the loss of her son. This news was like the straw that broke the camel’s back for me, in that I was already over my personal capacity with school, work, running a committee and exercising. I went to my supervisor and quit my co-op position, feeling altogether overwhelmed by the news.

    My story proves that not only experiencing depression yourself, but also being affected by someone experiencing depression, can create challenges. It is important to talk about mental health problems and to reach out to people when you aren’t feeling mentally well, because it can affect others. Supporting mental health initiatives is another great way to get involved with the cause of reducing stigma around mental health. Good luck!

  • Taking on University without the Financial or Emotional Support of Family

    Taking on University without the Financial or Emotional Support of Family

    I was raised in a strict household with four other children, all younger than I. Throughout our childhood, we were constantly told that having a roof over our heads and meals to eat were privileges, and that our parents did not owe it to us. Needless to say, going beyond those simple necessities—like helping with post-secondary education—was not a priority for my parents. They never saved money for any of us, and we did not even receive high school graduation presents. At a very young age, we were on our own. Each of us got our first job at age thirteen, and knew that our futures would quite literally be decided by how hard we worked. In retrospect, for me this produced a great work ethic and a stubborn ambition that I will never escape. Given today’s economy and the size of some families, financial support from one’s family is not always available. But what happens if you find yourself without their emotional support as well? What if you find yourself in university surrounded by expectation and new people, drowning in student debt, and with no one to call and cry to about it all? What if you are—in actuality—all on your own?

    In my third year of university I was diagnosed with ADHD, something I only found out because of a breakdown that stemmed from loneliness and financial anxiety that sent me knocking on the university counsellor’s office door. After a handful of sessions and a background check of my school patterns, the counsellor very carefully asked if I might want to take a few tests. I was opposed to it, but desperate to get better; at that point, focusing on things—which had always been a problem for me—had become so impossible that my schoolwork had come to a standstill. Since I was a child, I have always been a kind of an open book. It’s very difficult for me to keep things in, and I am constantly talking and telling stories. As the years went by, these seemingly harmless traits accelerated and turned me into an extremely anxious and scattered person.

    ADHD has not been widely researched in women, and moreover it has a certain stigma as many—including myself—believe it to be over-diagnosed. Being diagnosed as a twenty-something was very strange and difficult to explain to people. But the truth is that many women with ADHD experience low self-esteem, eating disorders, obesity, depression and anxiety. And as you can imagine, being enrolled in university with this kind of setback and no family support can be crippling, but there are habits you can set for yourself to make things easier:

    Don’t run away from financial talk.
    Eliminating stress is crucial, and as a post-secondary student finances can always be on the brain. Even though it may seem easier to ignore the mess university can create for your bank account, stay on top of it:
    • Keep a note of what is coming in and what is going out.
    • Constantly be on the lookout for scholarships and grants.
    • Have a financial advisor, either at your school, at your bank or both, that you see periodically. Be aware of your debts and have them advise you on long-term payment plans.

    Always have someone you can talk to.
    If you’re dealing with mental illness, make sure to see a professional on a regular basis. Even if you’re feeling fine, sometimes a quick check-in can work wonders for your health.

    Build a family of friends.
    Surround yourself with people who truly care about you and who you value as well. A support squad can keep you feeling motivated and provide you with people to talk to and team up with.

    Fight the urge to be resentful.
    This is the absolute hardest part. Grudges can cause anxiety and depression, the very things you are trying to avoid. It is so easy to be angry, and so hard to forgive. But if you surround yourself with positive people (see above ‘squad’ suggestion), and keep the conversation flowing about overcoming your obstacles, you will find that resentfulness will feel exhausting and you will avoid it. School, relationships and your health will flourish.

  • The Benefits of Traveling (French version available)

    The Benefits of Traveling (French version available)

    Traveling can be fun, but it is also very beneficial. It is good for your mind as well as your body. You don’t have to travel far or for too long to benefit from it. The following are some reasons why traveling can be so beneficial.

    It Helps Improve Your Communication Skills

    When you travel, you will have to speak to people from different cultures. Some may speak the same language as you, while others may not. If you don’t speak the same language, you will have to learn how to communicate using gestures. This is a good way to step out of your comfort zone. Putting yourself out there and conversing with different people will help you improve your communication skills, whether they speak the same language as you or not. Improving your communication skills is not only important for when you travel – it is a good skill to have in your life. It can help in your personal life as well as in your work life.

    You Can Make Memories

    When traveling, you are able to make memories that you will cherish for the rest of your life. We often revisit positive memories. When traveling, try to take many pictures and videos to look back to. You can also collect items and souvenirs from your trips. Traveling with a group can create memories which you all can talk about for a lifetime. Memories can be made anywhere, but memories made on your trips will be cherished forever.

    It Helps Relieve Stress and Anxiety

    Many of us have a fast-paced and stressful life. It is important to remember to take breaks every so often. Traveling is a good way to calm your mind and reduce stress and anxiety. Traveling gives the opportunity for your mind to reset because you are breaking your repetitive lifestyle. You don’t have to travel for a long period of time to benefit from it. Even a short three-day trip can help.

    It Helps Increase Your Confidence

    Traveling is a good way to help increase your confidence. Even traveling within your own country can help. This is because you are putting yourself outside of your comfort zone. Since you are exploring an area you’re not familiar with, you may need to ask around for directions. You may have to do it in a language you’re fluent in or even one you’re not. It may be scary at first, but it will help you boost your confidence, which can help you in other aspects of your life.

    It Can Help Boost Your Creativity

    Traveling is a good way to boost your creativity, especially if you are experiencing a creative block. The scenery, smells, and sounds can help inspire you. They are not things that you would usually see on a daily basis. These new things could interest you and may spark a new creative thought or idea.

     

    Resources

    CabinZero. “15 Benefits of Traveling and Why Travel Is Good for You.” https://www.cabinzero.com/blogs/our-journey/benefits-of-traveling.

    Eilers, Christian. “Why is Travel Important? Here Are 7 Important Benefits of Traveling.” Goodwall Blog. https://www.goodwall.io/blog/benefits-of-traveling/.

    Humphrey, Guy. “The benefits of travel for your mind.” Winged Boots. https://www.wingedboots.co.uk/magazine/the-benefits-of-travel-for-your-mind/.

    Teneva, Maggie. “10 Benefits of Travelling.” Sky Refund. https://skyrefund.com/en/blog/benefits-of-travelling.

  • How to Make Goals and Stick to Them (French version available)

    How to Make Goals and Stick to Them (French version available)

    It is very common for people to make goals, especially during the New Year. Although many people make goals, not everyone is able to achieve them. They may lose motivation or even forget about the goals they have made as time goes by. If you have trouble making goals and sticking to them, the following tips are just for you.

    • Choose Realistic Goals

    When making your goals, you should choose ones that are realistic. Decide on a goal that you know you will be able to achieve. During this process, don’t forget to keep your weaknesses in mind. This will help prevent you from giving up on your goal. You should also believe that it is possible. By believing that you can achieve your goal, it will increase your chances of reaching it.

    • Write Your Goals Down

    Writing down your goals will help you clarify what you want to achieve. It will also help motivate you to work towards your goal. If you’d like, you could keep notes around your house to remind you. You could write little notes and put them on your mirror. Each time you look in your mirror, the note will remind you to work on the goal you are hoping to achieve.

    • Set Aside a Bit of Time Each Day

    Each day, or as often as you can, try to set aside some time to work on your goal. It does not have to be too much time. A good amount is 15 minutes. Doing this every day will create a habit. Once it is a habit, it will help make achieving your goal much easier.

    • Get Others Involved

    Sometimes it can be difficult to find the motivation to achieve your goal. It may be easier if you get others involved. Tell people about your goals! They could help motivate and inspire you to work towards them. If you share your goals, you may find people that also are looking to achieve the same goal as you are. This allows you to share tips and learn from others.

    • Reward Your Accomplishment

    Each time you get one step closer to achieving your goal, you should reward yourself. This is a good way to measure your progress. Be proud of the hard work you’ve been putting in. This will help you avoid constantly thinking that you’re still too far from your goal. It will help keep you from giving up. You could start with smaller rewards and increase them as you get closer to accomplishing the goal you’ve set for yourself.

    Although goals are commonly made during the New Year, you can create a goal any time of the year! It could be something big or small. As long as you work hard to achieve it and not give up, you will be able to reach the goal you have created for yourself.

     

    Resources

    Florentine, Erica. “Simply Ways To Stick To Your Goals.” Bustle. https://www.bustle.com/articles/165638-13-simple-ways-to-stick-to-your-goals-be-more-productive.

    Imafidon. Casey. “6 Things To Do Every Day To Ensure You Stick To Your Goals.” Lifehack. https://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/6-things-every-day-ensure-you-stick-your-goals.html.

    Steinbrecher, Susan. “10 Quick Tips to Help You Stick to Your Goals.” Inc. https://www.inc.com/susan-steinbrecher/10-quick-tips-to-help-you-stick-to-your-goals.html.

  • Some of my personal goals for this year to inspire yours

    Some of my personal goals for this year to inspire yours

    By Avreet Jagdev

    With 2025 in the rearview mirror as we enter a new year, many of us have begun reflecting on the past year and looking forward to the year ahead. What goals have we achieved? Where do we have room for improvement?

    Going into the new year is the perfect time to re-evaluate your habits and start thinking about where and how you’d like to change. I’ve already taken the opportunity to sit down and write down some of my personal goals for next year. Here is what I’ve come up with, in case you need some inspiration for your own 2026 goals:

    1. Build a sleep schedule

    The pandemic impacted us in many ways — for me, it resulted in quite the hit to my sleep schedule. Ever since school and extracurricular activities were moved online, I’ve had trouble maintaining a regular sleep schedule. My largest goal this year is to get 8 hours of sleep a night, and ensure that I go to bed and wake up around the same time daily.

    1. Strengthen my daily routines

    This second goal goes hand-in-hand with the first, as a sleep schedule is essential to an effective daily routine. My goal is to have a strong morning routine that sets me up for a successful day, and a relaxing night routine that prepares me for a good night’s rest.

    1. Improve my spending and saving habits

    If there’s one thing most students seem to have trouble with, it’s managing their finances. In the upcoming year, one of my goals is to better spend and save my money, so that I am setting myself up for financial success for years to come. I plan on doing this by budgeting monthly and tracking what I spend my money on.

    1. Make time for friends and family

    It can be easy to get so caught up in school and work that your personal relationships get pushed to the side. In 2023, a resolution I’d like to work on is setting time aside to bond with family and friends. Whether it’s a walk, a coffee date, or studying together, I want to ensure that I make enough time to cultivate my relationships with those I love.

    1. Make time for myself

    Just as importantly as the previous goal, in the upcoming year I want to spend more time for myself. This means journaling, stretching, engaging in self-care activities, and doing whatever else makes me happy and fulfilled.

    1. Move my body

    In 2023, a priority of mine is my physical health, which means that I need to make sure to incorporate movement daily. This may mean purchasing a gym membership or going on daily walks – as long as I get my heartbeat up!

    1. Read for pleasure

    It has been a long time since I picked up a book for fun, but a goal of mine this year is to fall back in love with reading! To do so, I’m going to start with my childhood favourites: Harry Potter and Percy Jackson.

    Those are a couple of the goals I have committed myself to for the upcoming year. What are yours?

  • How to Prepare Good References (French version available)

    How to Prepare Good References (French version available)

    What is a Reference?

    When applying for jobs, a reference is someone you trust to provide a good review of you. Depending on the situation, a reference can be anyone from a former boss, a teacher, or even a friend. Think of it like you are buying something online: an online review helps you get a better picture of what the item is, and a reference does the same for you to employers. You can have a lot of references, but it is important to pick a good reference. When showing yourself to employers, it’s best to show the good points over the bad. You don’t want to pick someone who had a bad experience with you as your reference. Not only does a good reference have a positive opinion about you, but they are also someone who knows you well.

    What are the Types of References?

    There are two types of references: professional references and personal references.

    Professional references are people that you have worked with, such as bosses, supervisors, or coworkers. These are people that you are connected to through either paid or volunteer work. As a student, employers will generally not expect you to have many professional references. Volunteering is a good option to get professional references if you have never had a job.

    Personal references are people who have not worked with you but can still explain your good points well. It is important to not pick family members as personal references, because family members are more likely to say good things about you… even if you are a bad worker.

    Examples of personal references would be teachers, friends, neighbours, and coaches. If you do not have work experience or volunteer experience, a personal reference can still help you out.

    How are Good References Prepared?

    1. Ask your References for Permission

    Before someone can be your reference, you should make sure that they are okay with being a reference. Usually, you will tell an employer the reference’s name, phone number and email, and who they are: your teacher, your former boss, or maybe your friend. Do not give out your reference’s contact information without them agreeing. Not only is this confusing for your reference, but they also need time to prepare what they are going to say about you.

    1. Tell Your References About the Position

    For a reference to do a good job, you need to give them details about what you are applying for. Imagine going into a test without knowing what the topic even is: that is what it feels like for a reference filling out a reference letter for you, without being prepared. Not only is telling your reference about the position important, but it is also good to update them about yourself. How are you the right pick for this position? Explain any skills that you think your references should know about you before they talk to employers.

    1. Thank Your References

    When someone agrees to be a reference, they choose to take on work that they did not have to do — they did extra work to support you.  References should be thanked for their time and effort. Not thanking a reference will likely make their relationship with you worse, and they will have less reason to be your reference next time. Thanking a reference means that you know that your reference has done something nice for you, and that you respect them.

     

    Sources:

    Doyle, Alison. “What Is a Personal Reference?” The Balance Careers, 9 June 2021, https://www.thebalancecareers.com/what-is-a-personal-reference-2062060.

    Indeed Editorial Team. “Tips For Choosing The Best Job References.” Indeed Career Guide, 28 Feb. 2021. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/choosing-best-job-references.

  • Shaking Off the Winter Blues

    Shaking Off the Winter Blues

    By Erin Rebello

    With shorter days and colder weather, it can be easy to catch a typical case of the winter blues. We’ve all been there, snuggled under piles of blankets and hoping for warmer days ahead! Thankfully, as winter nights melt into spring mornings and the weather warms up, there are tons of ways to get out and about and chase away those winter blues! Below is a list of tried and trusted ways to get rid of the winter blues and embrace the changing of the seasons.

    Go on a Hike: It might still be a bit chilly outside, but as my soccer coach has always reminded me during our freezing winter practices, the best way to get warm is to get moving! One of my favourite things to do during the summer is go hiking; it’s a great way to relieve stress and connect with nature. Even when it is cold, hiking is still a great way to get outside, and there are many benefits as well! For example, there’s less of a crowd, so it’s easier to social distance. Hiking in the winter also gives you a completely new perspective on the forest around you, due to the differences in flora and fauna. Even if hiking isn’t typically your thing, I encourage you to try it out at least once during the early spring!

    Start a Garden: Although it’s a bit too early to start growing plants outside, March is actually the best time to start growing your annual plants. If you’re an avid gardener, you may have a lot of experience with growing flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Although most people sow seeds directly into their garden during April or May, the very best gardeners start their seeds indoors. By allowing your seeds to germinate and grow sprouts indoors, you’re able to start them off in controlled conditions, where critters like squirrels, rabbits, and slugs can’t munch on them. You can also cull any plants that aren’t growing properly, ensuring that your garden is highly productive. After starting your seeds off indoors, you can bring them out in April or May, where they can then expand and grow into a beautiful garden!

    Do Some Outdoor Art: I may not be the most artistic person, but I do love getting creative now and then! I tend to draw inspiration from the world around me, which is why I love creating art outside, where I’m surrounded by things that inspire me! From cars to clouds, to insects, to the sprouting grass peeking through the frost, early spring has so much to offer in terms of inspiration. Even if you don’t consider yourself the most artistic person, I challenge you to go outside your comfort zone and try some outdoor arts and crafts. All you need is a few paints or crayons, and you too can create your own work! If you’re planning on hiking during the spring, consider taking your art supplies with you and creating a piece right after your hike – when you’re full of inspiration!

    Warm Up with Some Hot Chocolate: Finally, although the weather might still be a bit bleak and cold, it doesn’t mean that you have to be! Instead of waiting for Mother Nature to heat everything up, you can make your very own (and very delicious) source of warmth. Hot chocolate can also be a great refresher after you’ve finished hiking, doing outdoor art, or planting your garden. With the help of a parent, you can mix a couple of spoons of hot chocolate mix with some boiling water. Add in some mini marshmallows or whipped cream, and you’re good to go! Just be sure to let it cool before sipping so you don’t get too hot too fast and burn your tongue!

    The winter blues are normal, but they don’t have to be something that stays with you until spring. Using these tips and tricks, you can shed those winter sorrows and prepare for a spring and summer full of warmth and joy!