Category: Community

Winter can be a very interesting season. While it brings heartwarming moments like snowball fights or Christmas decorations, winter undoubtedly has some negative facets as well. These include sometimes stressful/dangerous situations that involve commuting in extreme weather conditions and trying to stay warm when experiencing freezing temperatures. As these things occur, it’s understandable if the season has had certain effects on your well-being thus far and continues to do so.

Here is some advice on how to handle winter as it goes into February and impacts your mental and physical health:

How to Handle Winter’s Impact on Your Mental Health

Designate Some Time to Go Out

Of course, many have been spending a lot of time at home over the past three years due to COVID-19, which, in turn, has prompted people to discuss how important it is now more than ever to look after your mental health. If it’s safe, and on days when the weather is relatively mild, try designating some time to go out. Whether it’s just for a walk or you want to buy lunch, leaving the monotony of life at home every so often can help improve your mood.

Check-in with Yourself

Check-in with yourself once in a while and see how you’re doing, especially if you notice that you’ve been experiencing a lot of negative emotions. Even if you can’t immediately adopt direct measures to address these emotions (such as making an appointment with a counsellor/mental health professional), simply taking some time to acknowledge them, and reflect on why you’re feeling this way could make a huge difference.

How to Handle Winter’s Impact on Your Physical Health

Make Healthier Alternatives for Treats Often Consumed During Winter

During this cold season, people often turn to hot and sweet foods/beverages. Hot chocolate, for instance, is a popular go-to drink. These (of course) usually contain a significant amount of sugar and are also, at times, high in fat. They’re fine when you have them in moderation but might pose a problem if too much is consumed.

Therefore, if you find yourself craving these treats, a great way to continue enjoying some is by looking up recipes for healthier alternatives that can also satisfy your taste buds. Also, preparing sweets could be a fun activity, which is another positive aspect.

Try Exercising More (If You Aren’t Trying Already)

Though this depends on everyone’s unique situation, e.g. state of health, how much time you have in a day, etc., it’s a good idea to work out on a regular basis. A suggestion would be alternating between cardiovascular exercises and weight training. If you’re unsure where/how to start, there are many helpful videos online. Ultimately, what’s important is determining a way to stay active that works for you.

All in all, winter without a doubt can be a very challenging season to get through and dealing with its effects takes its toll in more ways than one. This is why it’s so crucial that you engage in various acts of self-care. If you consider the advice stated above and take the initiative where these areas are concerned, you’re on the right track to effectively handling winter as it stretches into February.

By Erin Rebello

Oh, Valentine’s Day, the so-called sweetest day of the year! With this festive holiday having happened during COVID-19, you might have found a classic romance movie to watch with a loved one at home. Although these cheesy movies can be great fun, if you look closely, you might just notice that there’s a lot more going on beyond the sickly-sweet facade. One issue I’ve recently noticed is the lack of diversity for disabled people with disabilities in romance movies and television shows. Although this might seem insignificant to some, the lack of partnerships featuring those with disabilities in romance movies can cause major societal issues that reach far beyond the silver screen.

Disability and the Film Industry

To analyze the lack of representation in romance movies, I think it’s important to step back and criticize the film industry as a whole. For years, stories of disabled people have been hidden from the big screen. If any movies were about a disabled character, they would be from an outsider’s point of view, rather than the person themselves. In addition, many disabled characters have been played by able-bodied actors, which further excludes disabled individuals from the conversation. For example, although The Fault in Our Stars is a great film about illness and love, the actors who play Hazel and Augustus are both able-bodied, which sends very mixed messages.

Why Representation Matters

Now that we’ve established how the film industry has suppressed these stories, it’s important to discuss why exactly representation is so crucial. For starters, viewers need to be aware of the diversity in modern society. Without representation, a population might never understand the situation of a disabled person, which can lead to issues like bullying, intolerance, and a lack of public accessibility. This is especially important in a genre like romance because so many individuals hold ableist views about it. For example, oftentimes people forget that individuals with a disability can feel romantic or sexual. Although it sounds like basic common sense, it’s a notion that has been very damaging to the differently-abled community.

Another reason for romance representation, and perhaps the most important reason, is the fact that disabled people deserve to see themselves in the media! According to the CDC, one in four adults will experience some sort of disability, however, only 2.1% of characters on television have a disability. By creating movies highlighting stories centred on people with disabilities, the film industry shows other disabled individuals that it’s okay to be who they are, and that regardless of their differences, they deserve a welcoming space in society. By including disabled people in books, television shows, and movies, we’re actively sending the message that they are loved and accepted – which is very important for all of us!

What Comes Next

Although we have made slow improvements over the years, there is a long way to go in terms of the inclusion of the disabled in the romance film industry. While seeing disabled characters on the silver screen is important, we must also work to ensure that more of these roles are given to talented, disabled actors. Representation is important in any industry, but the film industry is especially important because of its widespread reach. Although you may not be able to direct your own disability-inclusive movie as yet, hopefully, this article has at least made you think twice about how your movie choices impact the disabled community!

Sources:

CDC: 1 In 4 US Adults Live With A Disability | CDC Online Newsroom | CDC. (2018). CDC Newsroom. https://archive.cdc.gov/#/details?url=https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2018/p0816-disability.html

Leary, A. (2018, June 28). Asexual Disabled People Exist, But Don’t Make Assumptions About Us – Rooted In Rights. Rooted In Rights. https://rootedinrights.org/asexual-disabled-people-exist-but-dont-make-assumptions-about-us/

What is International Day of Pink?

Not to be confused with Pink Shirt Day which takes place in February, International Day of Pink is a separate day of bullying prevention. Whereas Pink Shirt Day focuses on advocating against bullying more broadly, International Day of Pink advocates against bullying stemming from discrimination towards LGBTQ+ individuals.

Bullying continues to be common among young people. One in three Canadian adolescents has reported being subject to bullying, and that number must be higher if unreported incidents are considered. The COVID-19 pandemic has only further exacerbated the amount of bullying, subjecting more children to harmful experiences. For LGBTQ+ individuals, the rate of bullying is even higher compared to their cisgender and straight peers, and that cannot go unnoticed.

Therefore, although the days have similar goals in mind, a distinction and recognition of these issues is important. In researching this topic, I found several articles that seemed to use “Day of Pink” and “Pink Shirt Day” interchangeably, so pre-existing coverage only serves to stir up more confusion.

The Origin of Pink Shirt Day and International Day of Pink

Both Pink Shirt Day and International Day of Pink shared the same moment of origin: in 2007, two grade 12 students at Central Kings Rural High School in Nova Scotia, David Shepherd and Travis Price, saw a grade nine student being bullied. This student was called homophobic insults and was threatened to be beaten up, all for wearing a pink shirt.

To show support for this student, Shepherd and Price bought 75 pink t-shirts and spread their plan of wearing pink through email, Facebook, and MSN Messenger. They planned to create a “sea of pink” the next day.

This operation was not without risks, though. Through a call with school administration, the pair were told that they could face being expelled if any incidents occurred due to this “sea of pink.” They decided to go through with the gesture regardless, knowing that something like this needed to be done.

This moment started both Pink Shirt Day and International Day of Pink, with the former focusing on a more general goal to stop bullying, and the latter focusing on bullying stemming from homophobia and transphobia. In terms of International Day of Pink, the situation inspired Jer’s Vision, now the Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity (CCGSD), to promote the International Day of Pink.

Why is International Day of Pink Important?

According to a 2021 Trevor Project report, LGBTQ+ youth are subjected to significantly higher rates of bullying compared to their cisgender and straight peers.

In the past year, 52% of LGBTQ+ youth enrolled in middle school or high school reported being subject to in-person bullying or cyberbullying. The rates of bullying towards LGBTQ+ youth were higher in those enrolled in middle school (65%) compared to those in high school (49%).

Students who were enrolled in schools that were more open to LGBTQ+ diversity reported 30% lower odds of being bullied within the past year. The study only further proves that, while 15 years have passed since the original event that created International Day of Pink, bullying continues to be an issue — especially for LGBTQ+ youth. The more that schools can promote days catered towards equality, like International Day of Pink, the less stigma LGBTQ+ people of all ages will face.

Remembering the Root of the Issue

As Susan Lambert, a former president of the B.C. Teachers’ Federation (BCTF), stated in 2011 that she did not want the message of Pink Shirt Day to become “diluted” – it is not a generic bullying day. Lambert went on to say that the day is supposed to recognize those who help stop LGBTQ+ discrimination and to stand up for those who are affected by it.

It appears that Pink Shirt Day has now taken that identity of encompassing a broad view of bullying, and Day of Pink, its less-covered counterpart, takes the mantle of championing the fight against LGBTQ+ stigma.

Although the article that covered Lambert’s statement conflated both days into the same meaning, Lambert’s statement still rings true to this day. We must remember that the original bullying incident that sparked change for Pink Shirt Day and Day of Pink to exist was rooted in homophobia.

Sources:

“Bullying and Suicide Risk among LGBTQ Youth.” The Trevor Project, 14 Oct. 2021, https://www.thetrevorproject.org/research-briefs/bullying-and-suicide-risk-among-lgbtq-youth/.

Culbert, Lori. “COVID-19: Isolated Youth Online More than Ever, Increasing Risk of Bullying and Other Cyber Crimes.” Vancouver Sun, 1 Jan. 2021, https://vancouversun.com/news/covid-19-isolated-youth-online-more-than-ever-increasing-risk-of-bullying-and-other-cyber-crimes.

Peristerakis, Julia. “Travis Price’s Act of Kindness.” Canadian Museum for Human Rights, https://humanrights.ca/story/travis-prices-act-of-kindness.

Steffenhagen, Janet. “B.C. Politicians Accused of Ignoring LGBTQ Students.” Vancouver Sun, 22 Feb. 2011, https://vancouversun.com/news/staff-blogs/b-c-politicians-accused-of-ignoring-lgbtq-students.

“Travis Price – Creating Pink Shirt Day.” YouTube, uploaded by Canadian Museum for Human Rights, 21 Jun. 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Zpw_KAEhDY.

Some months of the year tend to be easier than others. When the sun is shining and the weather is warm, people tend to feel happier than they do in the cold and darkness. A feeling of depression and sadness is so common in winter that the third Monday in January has become known as Blue Monday. Although it was originally a marketing idea, Blue Monday expresses what many people feel.

In much of Canada, January is a cold and dark month when many people want to get away to a warmer place. Many of them become depressed and gloomy. During the pandemic, the problem became even worse, with almost twice as many adults feeling depressed than in normal years. Younger people can also feel depressed, especially when they are unable to participate in their usual activities.

Even without a pandemic, people can become very sad at times, especially in winter. Scientists have even come up with a term for winter sadness: “seasonal affective disorder.” This term is used for people who have more than the usual sadness, often to the point where they become seriously depressed. In some cases, they have to use special lamps to give themselves extra light, especially in the north, where darkness can sometimes last all day during the winter.

In other areas of North America, people can still find winter very difficult. In 2005, a life coach and psychologist named Dr. Cliff Arnall came up with the idea of Blue Monday when he was trying to create a formula to decide on the saddest day of the year. He published his theory as part of an announcement for a company called Sky Travel, using the term “Blue Monday” to refer to the sense of “blue” to mean “depressed” or “sad.”

The choice of Monday was also related to how people tend to feel. Mondays can also be difficult for people because it is the beginning of the work week. They might also feel anxious about their financial situation if they have spent a lot of money over Christmas. With all of these factors, January is a natural time to feel depressed.

Many factors can contribute to feelings of sadness. The holidays are over by the third week of January, and many people have already failed at following their New Year’s resolutions. Much of Canada has only about nine hours of daylight at that time of the year, and the weather can be very cold. People cannot spend much time outside in that case, and they might not see the sun for days at a time.

Even knowing about a day named Blue Monday might make people even more sad because it reminds them of the difficulties they are having. For the travel company, that kind of feeling was a good way to encourage people to get away from the cold and to travel to warm destinations like Hawaii or the Caribbean. Even if people are unable to get away on holiday, however, they can still do something about their feelings of sadness.

You might have some ways of dealing with sadness in the cold and dark months. Maybe you go for brisk walks or play games with your family or friends. You might go to visit elderly relatives. Spending more time outside and taking Vitamin D can help. Whatever you do, you can make this winter’s Blue Monday a pleasant and happy day instead of a sad occasion.

Bibliography:

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. “Blue Monday Survival Guide.” https://camh.ca/en/camh-news-and-stories/blue-monday-survival-guide.

Cleveland Clinic. “Seasonal Depression.” https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9293-seasonal-depression.

Matti, Mariam. “Blue Monday: How to Overcome the ‘Saddest Day’ of the Year.” https://www.ctvnews.ca/lifestyle/blue-monday-how-to-overcome-the-saddest-day-of-the-year-1.4774442.

Paul, Anna. “What is Blue Monday and Why Is It Considered the Most Depressing Day of the Year?” https://metro.co.uk/2020/01/20/blue-monday-saddest-day-year-12087919/.

By Maryam Sheikh

What’s your pancake topping of choice? Whipped cream, butter, or perhaps…smooth and sweet maple syrup? December 17th marked National Maple Syrup Day, and in honour of this delicacy, we’re sharing more about the little-known history of maple syrup and how you can celebrate.

From the tree to the table – How did maple syrup come to be?

The history of maple syrup is one that is not often highlighted. Maple sap extraction originated from Indigenous practices. Indigenous peoples, including the Abenaki, Haudenosaunee, and Mi’kmaq peoples, prized maple syrup for its sweet flavour, medicinal properties, and ability to preserve meat and food. The “sweet water” was used in ceremonies, cooking, and as a cleansing medicine. According to the Canadian Encyclopedia, the Anishinaabe called the sap collection period the “maple moon” or “sugar month”. This time served as a way for community members to join together, create memories, and pass on traditions. The medicine from the maple trees brought people together, kept them together, and ensured that community members grew together and set a strong foundation for youth to be good Elders. The maple harvest has held special significance in many Indigenous communities as it coincides with the end of winter and the onset of spring. Indigenous communities such as the Ojibwe and Haudenosaunee celebrated through festivals, thanking the land, and community gatherings.

However, the Indian Act of 1876 forced traditional ceremonies and festivals to disappear due to the impact of colonization. Maple syrup production was heavily impacted and later capitalized on by non-Indigenous people as a source of economic benefit. Settlers adopted these practices, and now, holes are drilled into the trunk of sugar maple trees and metal spouts are tapped into these holes to collect sap. The clear sap drips into a bucket and is collected in a pail to start the creation of maple syrup. It is boiled down and turned into maple syrup and maple sugar products. Many traditional Indigenous practices have been altered or undermined, and though there are smaller, Indigenous-run businesses, the industry is dominated by larger manufacturers. Producing maple syrup is expensive and requires a lot of equipment and maple trees. Funding is a challenge faced by some Indigenous entrepreneurs such as Jolene Laskey, the owner of Wabanaki Maple, a Tobique First Nation-based company. 

So, what can you do with this information? National Maple Syrup Day is an opportunity for us to learn about the Indigenous history of maple syrup, amplify Indigenous voices, and be reminded of the importance of protecting, respecting, and appreciating the environment and Indigenous traditions. You can celebrate this day by sharing your learnings with others and trying out new recipes. Lastly, try to support Indigenous businesses that are reclaiming their traditional practices and advocate for more education and awareness from larger companies.

Maple syrup recipes to try at home

1. Maple-Baked Sweet Potatoes
2. 3-Ingredient Maple-Pecan Fudge
3. Maple Brown Sugar Cookies

Resources

• Braiding Sweetgrass – Learn more about Indigenous wisdom, knowledge, and teachings with this non-fiction book by Potawatomi professor Robin Wall Kimmerer.

With winter conditions settling in Canada earlier than in the last few years, it’s important to bring to light one underlying effect of the cold weather that seems to be buried in the avalanche of discussions about winter tires, appropriate cold-weather gear, and safe winter sports accessories: SAD or seasonal affective disorder.

SAD is a type of depression that is prevalent during the cold season, but could also happen during spring and summer. SAD typically make individuals experience sleeping difficulties, lethargy, irregular appetite, irritability, and a constant feeling of hopelessness.

People with SAD often manifest symptoms once fall begins when the days start getting shorter. SAD doesn’t have a clear cause, but generally it’s believed that the lack of sunlight is a major factor for one to develop SAD.

Fortunately, there are ways to keep these so-called winter blues at bay to avoid them being disruptive to one’s normal way of life. Read below for some of these tried-and-tested tips.

Take in as much sunlight as you can.

With winter, shorter days and longer nights are a given. By the time you are done with work or school, there’s typically not a lot of time left to get that much-needed rays of sunshine. However, there are ways that you can.

For example, during your breaks in between classes or work tasks, step out and take a walk, instead of confining yourself to your desk. On weekends, if you want to meet up with friends for dinner, suggest a brunch instead so you’ll have time to bask in the sunlight.

Keep the sweet cravings under control.

Treating yourself to sweets is fine occasionally. We all enjoy our favourite chocolate bar or a pastry from our go-to bakery. However, one should be aware when the cravings go out of control.

While it’s good to give in to them for satisfaction, sugar highs often turn into sugar lows, and one ends up feeling more down than when they started. Thus, if you need to snack on something sweet, go for natural snacks like nuts or fruits.

Brighten up your winter wardrobe.

When it comes to fashion, it’s often said that one should dress according to the season, no matter how cliché that may sound. Spring means a lot of florals, summer means bright colours, and autumn means neutrals.

When it comes to winter wear though, the majority seems to throw out anything within a colour palette out the window and merely go for black. Scientists actually believe that the colours you wear have an effect on your mood, so go for a bit of fashion adventure: choose a bright-coloured winter jacket or a scarf in a shade that truly pops. You’ll be surprised by how it changes how you feel.

Get together with friends and family.

As the holidays roll around during wintertime, it may be challenging to schedule some much-needed quality time with friends and family, but it’s important that you keep in touch and do your best to share a cup of coffee or a meal or two with your family or friends.

Of course, since COVID is still around and has not totally bid us goodbye, ensure that you take the necessary precautionary measures to avoid exposure, like wearing a mask indoors and others.

SAD is definitely a potential enemy for anyone living in a country with winter. The effects of longer nights and not getting enough sunshine are difficult, but one can cope with them. Try the steps above and hope for the best!

Sources

https://www.statcan.gc.ca/o1/en/plus/274-you-are-not-alone

https://cmha.bc.ca/documents/seasonal-affective-disorder-2/

https://themuse.ca/getting-ready-for-the-canadian-winter/

https://www.webmd.com/depression/news/20221031/seasonal-affective-disorder-peak-november

https://discovermagazine.com/health/what-you-can-do-about-seasonal-depression