Maintaining connections with those we love can have an incredibly positive effect on our health and happiness. Especially during a socially distanced pandemic (but really, all the time!) it’s important to prioritize our relationships. When it seems like stress, loneliness, and anxiety is ever increasing, putting your mental health first can actually start with thinking of others.

Check out these five ways you can add more warmth and feeling to your connections in stressful times.

1. Schedule Your Touch Points

Picking up the phone is a simple thing to do but it can be hard to prioritize when life gets in the way. We spend our days working from home… doing errands… cleaning the house… laundry… grocery shopping… attending to our families… and those are just a few of the daily responsibilities we hold. As the pandemic drags on, these tasks can become grueling. It’s easy to forget to take care of OURSELVES, let alone worrying about our relatives in the next province over—or even more guilt-inducing—our neighbours right next door!

The truth is, speaking with the people we love makes those everyday responsibilities easier to bear. The connections we keep are our support system. When we open up and talk about how we really feel, we're able to overcome adversities and feel supported. Having the gift of a friend who listens can lend us more mental resilience as we vent and discover we’re not alone. Sometimes all it takes is a change in perspective to realize that picking up the phone is not a chore, but a necessity, in maintaining our mental health and balance.

This season, be sure to schedule-in some time to reconnect with those who bring you joy. Speak to the people who listen in times of hardship and extend an ear to them too—so that all parties can exchange their common experiences of anxieties and struggle in our everyday lives. By the end of your call, you’re bound to feel a sense of relief, a stronger support and even encouragement to continue on. Your loved ones may be needing it even more than you!

2. Write a Heartfelt Letter or Card

It’s true that oftentimes when faced with hardship, we are eventually reminded of the blessings and positive things we have in our lives. We’re forced to slow down and think deeply about what—and who—matters to us most.

These feelings of gratitude can spark inspiration to express to those we love most why we appreciate them in our lives. It doesn’t have to be on paper, it could be an email with a simple note of gratitude, a three pager text, or a social media shoutout. The important thing is that we grow closer to each other and express our gratitude.

Think about what makes your loved one unlike any other and offer a sincere compliment for the way they make you feel.

3. Send a Gift

You can’t go wrong with sending your loved ones flowers from a local florist! A floral delivery is sure to brighten anyone’s day no matter the occasion. This type of gift is convenient because it suits every personality and can be achieved online. Your choice of flowers and personal note can be completely customizable. And providing support for a local business is an added feel-good decision in helping our fellow Canadians succeed together.

With apps and restaurant delivery, it’s easy to send a neighbour dinner or a surprise treat. Maybe you want to lighten up a new mothers' load down the street, or delight your grandmother with her favourite take-out. These days, it’s easy to make it happen right from your phone. To support a local restaurant directly, purchase gift cards and pass them on to your foodie friends.

If time allows and you’d like to give something a tad more personal, home baking is a great way to spend a day. De-stress and clear your mind with a solo baking day, connect with your significant other over some chocolate chips, or make it a family affair to help entertain the kids. Baking for others is a beautiful way to express love and remind people you’re thinking of them!

A homemade gift basket is also a completely customizable and fantastic way to show how well you know someone—and how much you care. Include seasonal essentials like the recipient’s favourite tea, coffee, treats, or reads. (Think about including some Bradosol Throat Lozenges to help alleviate those winter dry, sore throat symptoms in a crunch.)

4. Host a Zoom Party or Group Activity Online

Okay, so maybe sharing drinks and giving hugs is no longer socially acceptable, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still get your best friends together for a game night to remember!

Video calls now extend beyond your average office staff meeting and have become a tool used by many from teachers hosting home school, to performers showcasing their music, and even to chefs hosting cooking lessons! Host a wine tasting, book club or scavenger hunt and you’re sure to be scrambling for your charger so the laptop doesn’t die!

Go ahead and take the plunge. Use your extra social distanced hours to plan an engaging mini-event and see your friends come together for a game or contest. Showcase your competitive side with a fun challenge. By the end of the night you’ll hardly feel like the time has been spent at a virtual distance at all!

5. Arrange a Socially Distanced Walk or Visit

One of the great things about living in Canada is the beautiful and vast outdoors. Our country is lucky to have so much stunning natural foliage and many local parks for us all to enjoy. The Canadian “true north” really is a big playground so why not get out to enjoy it!

If it’s cold outside make sure you wear your classic Canadian puffer jacket or flannel to keep warm. Choose a local trail, neighbourhood park, lake or playground for your next outing with loved ones at a social distance.

Cold and flu symptoms are rare this year, but even so, being outside in the dry winter air can lead to a rough throat—and a cough is the last thing anyone wants right now! Bringing along a pack or two of Bradosol is always a good idea (you might want to have both flavours handy, to share with everyone in your party).

Despite the cold weather and social distancing regulations, maintaining connection will always be achievable. After all, as Canadians we wear our hearts on our sleeves.

Preserve your mental health and seek out ways you can stay connected with your loved ones this winter. Be sure to share this post to spread the warmth this season!

The Rideau Canal Skateway will be one of many opportunities Canadians have to enjoy winter in 2021.

When it comes to winter, nobody does it like Canadians. The winter season brings us new opportunities to enjoy time together outdoors—at a safe (and fun) distance. So put on a toque, grab a scarf, and get ready to face the crisp fresh air!

Here are our top seven tips on how to enjoy a great Canadian winter.

Embrace the Outdoors

There’s nothing quite like breathing in the fresh air of the great outdoors. Studies have shown that time spent exercising outside can benefit both your physical and mental health. It’s essential to take time out of each day to plan for outside activity, whether moderate or intense. Just don't forget to dress for the weather!

1. Go for a Walk

The easiest way to get out of the house and take in the enchanting winter scenery is to go for a walk. You can enjoy this healthful activity in your local neighbourhood or on a designated walking path. Walking can be done at whatever pace you find comfortable. You can even do it if you're feeling under the weather—and it may go a long way to improving both your physical health and your spirits!

2. Take a Hike

Want to up the ante? Try hiking one of Canada's renowned trails. Canada is celebrated for its magnificent terrain and scenic viewpoints that only get better when covered in crisp white snow. You never know what you'll get to see on a hike, from snow-covered pines, to waterfalls and blue lakes! There are many types of hiking trails located in every region that range from easy strolls to more strenuous hill climbing. So, slip into your hiking boots and start walking.

Handy Hiking Checklist:

• Hiking backpack
• First aid kit
• If you don’t have a knowledgeable guide, make sure you have navigation (map and compass, or GPS)
• Snacks
• Fresh water
• Gloves, hats, scarves, and ear warmers
• Check the weather report before you head out and consider what extra clothing you might need
• Bradosol Lozenges to soothe that raspy throat in the dry winter air

3. Soft-Shoe Over the Snow

Some of us prefer the path less trodden. But exploring the woods off the beaten path can be too snowy for regular hiking boots. Why not try swapping them for snowshoes instead? Snowshoes allow you to stay above the snow surface, and experience the quiet majesty of Canadian forests in a unique way. Make sure you bring a camera, because the splendour of an unspoiled snowy wilderness can be a memory worth keeping!

4. Hit the Hills

While we're on the topic of Canadian landscapes, it would be impossible not to mention the downhill activities Canadians consider to be winter favorites. Activities like tobogganing or sledding, skiing, and snowboarding, are all popular winter sports that allow for healthy social distancing. Aside from the equipment rental and chair lift, it's just you and the open air out there!

5. Take to the Ice

Around the world, Canada is known as the country of hockey and ice-skating. Now, we're not saying you need to suit up and shoot the puck or even land an axel, per se, but visiting your local ice rink for a casual skate is time well spent that you won't regret. Maybe even a frozen pond. Many local rinks can be used free of charge. And—great news for those who are near enough to visit our nation’s capital—it’s been announced that the Rideau Canal Skateway will open this year, when ice conditions are ready. You can check the ice conditions here.

6. Get Lessons

If you’re a first-timer, don't let fear stop you from the experience. Research your local ice rink or ski hill for lessons, or go with an experienced friend. Don't be afraid of falling down; you can always get right back up! If you don’t have your own skates you can rent them at some of the larger rinks. Make sure to research the ice rinks in your area to see what they offer.

7. Cozy-Up Indoors

If you find the winter air to be too harsh for you, you're in luck! Canadian winters can be just as enjoyable indoors as they are outdoors. While you might miss out on the pretty view, we understand that the wilderness is not everyone's cup of tea. Instead, why not enjoy a soothing cup of tea, in the comfort of your own home?

Allowing ourselves to enjoy some time spent indoors can feel relaxing and fun—the cozy joys of a warm fire in the fireplace or backyard chiminea. Playing board games with family members, reading (or writing!) a book, cooking or baking - the list of possibilities is endless!

It’s All About Being Prepared

Winter in Canada can feel like a never-ending blizzard if you're not used to it, but it doesn't have to be. Challenge yourself by stepping out of your comfort zone and stepping into the winter air.

We know that the first snowfall of the year got you excited, so don't be too quick to wish it away. If you follow our suggestions on how to enjoy a great Canadian winter, come this time next year, you'll be looking forward to fresh snow! All you have to do is wear some warm clothes, grab some family or friends, pack your Bradosol (just in case) and take part in these beloved Canadian activities!

Now It’s Your Turn

Do you have a favourite activity we didn’t mention? Have you just discovered (by necessity) a great way to enjoy the outdoors while staying safe and socially-distanced? Tell us all about it by using the comment form below!