Category: wellness

Creativity Is Self-Care

We are all creative. People who believe they’re not creative wrongly assume that if they don’t have a creative outlet or are not gifted in a particular artistic expression, they’re not creative. In truth, creativity is a human attribute gifted to each of us, though some have cultivated it more fully while others have abandoned…


Embracing the Art of Resilience in 2022

Resilience is going to be an overriding theme for 2022. The ability to bounce back from anything—from the ordinary to the extraordinary—is truly an art. It’s also a science. So how do we become more resilient? First, let’s understand what it means. Resilience isn’t a genetic trait, it’s a learned quality. It is a set…


Basic Sourdough Bread Recipe

Whether you are a newbie or an expert sourdough bread maker, this simple, fail-proof recipe is amazing. I’m going to break it down step-by-step with photos because if you are like me a visual is all you need to know you are on the right track. The full recipe is posted near the end of…


Cover Your Face, Wear a Hat and Stay Hydrated to Exercise Safely Through the Winter

Let’s face it, winter in Canada is a reality we can’t ignore. And for many of us, it means getting outside and into the cold for work, chores and exercise. But there are ways to improve your comfort and safety while being active outdoors in cold weather. First off, “cold” is what physiologists (people who…


Got Health Goals?

New Year’s resolutions are an annual ritual of setting intentions for self-betterment. Health behavior goals—such as improving healthy eating and physical activity—are among the most popular resolutions. Unfortunately, failing to stick to those new goals is so common that it has become cliché. This is backed by research evidence. Studies have repeatedly shown that over…


Why Does Experiencing ‘Flow’ Feel so Good? A Communication Scientist Explains

New years often come with new resolutions. Get back in shape. Read more. Make more time for friends and family. My list of resolutions might not look quite the same as yours, but each of our resolutions represents a plan for something new, or at least a little bit different. As you craft your 2022…


The History of Anesthesia

Anesthesia as pain relief is amazing, and we still have trouble understanding how it really works. What we do know is that it has played an important role in medicine for centuries. This role was made uncomfortably clear to me more than 35 years ago when I had to perform an emergency cesarean section on…


You Can’t Outrun Your Fork

Every January, millions of people make New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, eat healthier, or both. To achieve these goals, many people begin strenuous exercise programs that demand too much exercise too soon, leading to fitness burnout or injury. Overtraining can actually prevent you from losing weight. As a health neuroscientist, I have been studying the brain and cognitive mechanisms…


Tips for a Healthier 2022

I—and many of you I suspect—use this time of year to decide what we can do to have the best year possible. A new year represents new possibilities with unlimited potential. That said, 2021 was a tough year for a lot of us. So, as we bring in the year 2022, here’s a list of…


The Flu and You: Everything You Never Wanted to Know (But Need To)

Flu season runs from October to May and each year it impacts millions of Americans. The flu virus attacks the respiratory system and its symptoms include headache, sore throat, fever, chills, vomiting, dry cough, and muscle aches. But what does it do to your body? What does your body look like on the flu? A sick person sneezes,…