In 2016, Toronto hosted the NBA All-Star game. Canadian basketball fans were ecstatic. The best basketball players in the world were making their way north to celebrate the game of basketball. My son and I attended the All-Star game practice. We arrived early to soak in the All-Star atmosphere. Shortly after we arrived, we were very lucky to have been spotted by one of the event coordinators, who asked if we wanted front row seats. My son and I excitedly said yes and quickly followed

All parents want their children to succeed, but many may struggle with how to provide the appropriate amount of support to their child as they experience challenging situations. In an article by Dr. Ester Cole and John Hoffman (https://www.cbc.ca/parents/learning/view/good-enough-parenting-and-how-it-will-help-build-resiliency-in-kids), the authors describe a variety of everyday strategies that parents can use to support their child. These strategies fall into the categories of relationships, emotional skills, competence, and optimism. These strategies are aimed at building a child’s resiliency, through assisting and supporting them as they overcome

Caregivers are an incredibly diverse group. As a result of this diversity, it can often be challenging to find resources that apply to a caregiver’s unique circumstances. The first resource provided below contains articles, books, and websites that cover a wide range of caregiving topics. The second resource provides practical tips for engaging in a self-care routine, which covers both physical and mental health approaches. Ken Pope: Caregiver Resources   https://www.caregiversolutions.ca/caregiving/wise-advice/tips-for-taking-time-for-yourself/ Guest blogger, Spencer Talbot   

Dywane Wade will soon be wrapping up an illustrious 15-year NBA career. He will retire as a three-time NBA champion and 13-time NBA All-Star. As a player, I will remember him for making hard things look easy, getting up after getting knocked down, and stepping up in big moments. Recently, Dywane made news by announcing he will go to therapy to help his transition into retirement. Kudos to Dywane for recognizing the enormity of the change he faces, and more importantly, for displaying the courage

We have all experienced pain. Usually our pain is short-lived. When pain is prolonged, it can affect our mood, relationships, and outlook. In the 1960s, Ronald Melzack and Patrick Wall introduced the gate control theory, which is a theory of pain and pain management. Melzack and Wall proposed that a gate exists between where the pain is occurring in the body and where the pain is processed in the brain. While certain activities, thoughts, and emotions open the gate (intensify pain), other experiences close the

I love to golf. I enjoy being outside in warm weather and spending 3-4 hours with my son or friends. I also think there are few things as fulfilling as hitting a solid shot. Last month, I had the good fortune and pleasure of playing two major championship golf courses with long-time friends. In anticipation of this once-in-a-lifetime experience, I set out to get my golf game in top shape. This included spending time at indoor golf simulators in the late winter and early spring.

Today is Bell Let’s Talk Day. Wondering how you can support this cause? 5 cents will be donated to mental health initiatives for: every text message and call made through Bell Canada, every tweet using #BellLetsTalk, and every view on Bell Let’s Talk video on both Facebook and Instagram. One in five Canadians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime. Unfortunately, the stigma of mental illness is a leading reason why two-thirds of those living with a mental illness do not seek help. Bell Let’s

We are in the thick of winter.  The holidays seem long ago, and spring feels out of reach. The winter blues are not uncommon. In more severe cases, winter blues are a form of depression. Along with typical depressive symptoms (such as worthlessness and loss of interest in most activities), seasonal depression is often characterized by overeating, tiredness, and weight gain. Consider making one of these small lifestyle changes to improve your spirits: Help someone (big or small) Seek out a fun winter activity Go

At an auction this week, a handwritten note by Albert Einstein on happiness sold for $1.5 million. It was said that, 95 years ago, Einstein gave the happiness note to a bellboy or messenger instead of offering a tip. Einstein’s message: “A calm and modest life brings more happiness than the pursuit of success combined with constant restlessness.” Einstein’s genius had no limits.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of speaking at the University of Guelph as part of a symposium organized by Exercise is Medicine Canada at Guelph.  The other guest speakers (Dr. Geoffrey Power and Dr. Dan Vitale) were informative and engaging. The audience was attentive and seemed ready to learn and be inspired. Recent clinical research supports what many of us already know… exercise is good for your mental health.  Studies show that exercise helps with mood and improves quality of life.  Exercise (even low level