No matter what, we all deserve to be loved and valued. Make sure to take the time this year, whether you're single or in a relationship, to express your love in unique ways.
Spend some time expressing your love and gratitude to those around you. Making breakfast in bed for your loved ones can be as simple as delivering a handwritten message. Relationships can be strengthened significantly by demonstrating care.
Reach out to loved ones; whether it be through a phone call, text message, or a handwritten note, spend some time to let them know that you are thinking of them and value them. Give the people you care about the gift of time, connection, empathy, compassion, and a safe place to be vulnerable.
Dr Chandni Tugnait, a Psychotherapist, Life & Business Coach, & Founder-Director of Gateway of Healing, shares 14 ways to help you create meaningful memories:
Have a spa day: Treat yourself and your loved one to a relaxing spa day, complete with massages, facials, and other pampering treatments.
Plant a tree: Plant a tree together in honour of your relationship or friendship. This can symbolise growth and remind you of the love you share.
Do a puzzle: Working on a jigsaw puzzle helps enjoy each other's company and boosts the satisfaction of completing a task as a team.
Have a photography session: Have a professional photography session together or take candid photos of each other throughout the day.
Go stargazing: Find a secluded spot away from city lights and spend the evening stargazing and discussing your hopes and dreams for the future.
Write a song: Write a song together, either from scratch or by remixing a favourite song to make it your own.
Plan a scavenger hunt: Create a scavenger hunt for your partner or friends, leading them to different locations with unique gifts and special memories.
Create a care package: Put together a care package for someone you love, including their favourite treats, a cosy blanket, and a handwritten note.
Create a memory book: Collect photos, mementoes, and memories from your relationship or friendship and create a memory book that you can look back on for years to come.
Have a movie marathon: Choose a selection of your favourite romantic comedies or heart-warming films and spend the day with your loved ones.
Play games: Play games together, such as board games, card games, or video games. This can be a fun and playful way to spend time together.
Make handmade gifts: Create handmade gifts for each other, such as a painting, a photo album, or a knitted scarf.
Take a dance class: Sign up for a class together and learn how to salsa, tango, or swing dance.
Perform acts of kindness: Plan a day of random acts of kindness, such as leaving positive notes for strangers, paying for someone's coffee, or donating to a charity.
Jagjeevan Singh of Brampton, Ont., who is one of Bajaj's patients, developed Type 2 diabetes two years ago at age 32. Singh said he believes the stress of his job at a large warehouse contributed to the chronic disease. But he improved his condition by switching jobs, changing his diet, losing the weight he'd gained from not eating properly while doing shift work, and started practising yoga and meditation.
Plogging a trend that combines jogging or walking and picking up litter. It is an excellent way for residents to get outside and increase their physical activity, while also giving back to the community.
How to stay hopeful, strong and happy during difficult times
The ultimate purpose of our lives is to be HAPPY! However, given the unpredictable times that we live in, especially the current state of the world, coupled with the stress of our day-to-day living — for many — the very term ‘happy’ seems like a far-fetched notion.
Flexibility is not only key for improving mobility and healing aches and pains, it can free up blocked energy pathways, and can open new realms of fitness capabilities.
There is more conversation on topics such as sleep, energy, digestion, hormones, lifestyle and emotional health vs. just the archaic model of calories consumed and intensity of exercise.
While physically caring for yourself mostly involves getting enough water, sleep, nutritious food, and exercise each day, it can also include things that make your body feel good.
