Mental Health

Sleep trackers promise insight. As an occupational therapist, I want to talk about what the research actually says — and why your score might be working against you.

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

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

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

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

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