top of page
All Posts
Why Medication is NOT Your Solution for Chronic Sleep Issues
Approximately half of all Canadian adults struggle with sleep, with recent data indicating an increasing trend in sleep difficulties and diagnosed insomnia (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2025). These individuals are often looking for a quick fix , and in response, up to 70% have turned to a sleeping aid or have used cannabis-derived products or alcohol in the last year (Morin et al. 2024). Sleep aids include prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and dietary sup
vikstevens
Mar 224 min read
Meditation Practice to Increase Your Daily Mindfulness
In a Modern world full of ongoing distractions, social comparison, world and personal worries and a never ending “to-do” list, it is no wonder that stress, anxiety and depression levels in individuals have dramatically risen over the years. As a matter of fact, in Canada, anxiety and depression rates have increased significantly over the past decade, with a 60% rise in cases among children and adults. Young women are disproportionately affected, with anxiety disorder for this
vikstevens
Mar 98 min read
Fatigue vs. Sleepiness: Why the Difference Matters for Your Recovery
You've probably said it before: "I'm so tired, but I just can't sleep." That frustrating experience actually points to something important — and understanding it is one of the first steps toward better sleep. Feeling tired is a common experience, but not all tiredness is the same. Many people confuse fatigue with sleepiness, yet these two states affect the body and mind in different ways. Knowing the difference can help you address the root cause and improve your overall wel
vikstevens
Feb 262 min read
Why You Can't Sleep Even When You're Exhausted: Understanding the Link Between Sleep and Anxiety
It's midnight. You've been awake since 6 AM. You sat through back-to-back meetings, ran errands, cooked dinner, and finally collapsed into bed — and now you're staring at the ceiling. Your body feels like lead. Your eyes are heavy. But sleep? Nowhere to be found. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone — and more importantly, you're not broken. There's a very specific reason this happens, and once you understand it, the path forward becomes much clearer. Public Health Issue
vikstevens
Feb 194 min read
Resetting Reference Points for a Happier Mood: Strategies and Insights
Feeling stuck in a cycle of dissatisfaction often comes from comparing our current situation to fixed reference points. These mental benchmarks shape how we perceive success, happiness, and progress. When these points become rigid or unrealistic, they can drag down our mood and overall well-being. Resetting these reference points offers a practical way to improve mood and foster a more positive outlook on life. Let’s take for example this visual illustration: This optical ill
vikstevens
Feb 126 min read
Exploring 5 Key Lifestyle Factors to Protect Against Depression
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common mental disorders worldwide, affecting over 320 million people. It is the result from a complex mix of biological, social, and psychological factors. Symptoms of depression include cognitive (e.g. concentration difficulties), emotional (e.g. sadness), behavioural (e.g. avoidance) and physiological (e.g. appetite and sleep disturbances) issues. These symptoms have a great impact on the individual's daily life including s
vikstevens
Feb 57 min read
Understanding the Population at Risk for Sleep Problems
Sleep problems affect millions of people worldwide, yet many underestimate how widespread and serious these issues can be. Certain groups face a higher risk of developing sleep disorders, which can lead to significant health challenges. Understanding who is most vulnerable and why helps us recognize the importance of addressing sleep problems early and effectively. Insomnia is one common sleep disorder that can make it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep. It also can cause you
vikstevens
Jan 265 min read
The Inseparable Link Between Sleep and Well-being
Sleep problems are a significant and growing worldwide health issue, often described as a global epidemic. Sleep problems can be described as the difficulty in initiating or maintaining sleep or suffering from non restorative sleep. Sleep is fundamentally essential for numerous aspects of human function and well-being. It is a vital process that the body requires to repair itself and function properly. Sleep is not only a major activity that occupies about one-third of our l
vikstevens
Jan 156 min read
The Critical Role of Occupational Therapists in Addressing Sleep Issues
Sleep problems affect millions of people worldwide, disrupting daily life, reducing productivity, and harming overall health. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, sleep is a basic human need and an essential occupation across the lifespan. Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a conceptualisation of the needs (or goals)that motivate human behaviour, which was proposed by the American psychologist Abraham Maslow, in 1943. The Benefits of quality sleep include improved: Cardiova
vikstevens
Jan 74 min read
Unlocking the Secrets to Finding your Dream Job
The average Canadian spends about 37.3 hours per week at their main job, according to Statistics Canada . Working 37.3 hours a week might feel like a lot if we're reluctant to go to work each day and are merely performing tasks for a paycheck. Conversely, for others, 37.3 hours a week passes quickly. How inspiring is it to encounter someone who appears to have truly discovered their "calling"? Those individuals who don't focus on the number of hours they've "worked" this week
vikstevens
Dec 31, 20254 min read
Investing in Memories - How Experiences Boost Our Happiness Over Material Possessions
People spend a great amount of their annual income to acquire awesome “stuff” for family, friends, and for themselves, in hopes to increase overall happiness. However, does acquiring awesome “stuff” really increase our mood? As a matter of fact, the thought of buying something new temporarily boosts our mood but as we acquire the new “Thing”, our mood quickly drops back to baseline. Research continues to demonstrate that aspiring to the American Dream of financial success has
vikstevens
Dec 25, 20254 min read
Why knowing is never enough to change a behaviour
Knowing is only an illusion when it comes to behavioural and habit change. Three strategies are provided to help you to transform your life-enhancing goals into actionable achievement.
vikstevens
Dec 18, 20256 min read
bottom of page