A week into the New Year and our resolutions are all still holding strong, right? Some of us are surely holding up to our end of the resolution bargain, but a large number of us might be losing steam, or we might have had a slow start. Every year the lists start floating around and the inevitable questions, “What are your resolutions this year?” comes up over and over again. Here are a few tips to refocus your attention on the question that matters; not “what are your resolutions?” but “How do you plan to keep them?” Change can Happen Anytime We use Jan 1st as a benchmark for making change, but why? We like the idea that last year’s choices, goals, achievements or failures are closed up in a neat little package and tucked away. We start fresh on January 1st by forgetting the bad (and in doing so...
If you are not getting a good night's rest, you aren't alone. Did you know that 1 of every 3 Canadian adults between the ages of 35-65 are not getting enough sleep? And that doesn’t take into consideration the quality of our sleep. When it comes to sleep quality: 1 in 2 adults have trouble going to sleep or staying asleep. 1 in 5 adults do not find their sleep refreshing. 1 in 3 adults have difficulty staying awake during waking hours. Why do we need the recommended 8 hours of sleep? These days, not getting enough sleep is normal. But just because it’s prevalent – doesn’t mean it’s a norm we should be comfortable with. In fact, insufficient sleep can affect our health for the worse. Here are just some of the health issues that lack of sleep are associated with: Obesity Type 2 Diabetes Cardiovascular disease Injuries Depression...
Big life events require big investments. When you’re preparing for big life changes - such as buying a house, having a baby, or gearing up for retirement - you’re probably reviewing your finances and considering how you’ll achieve your financial goals. At these moments, it’s a good idea to review your life insurance policy. Does your current policy accommodate your changing priorities? Does your policy fully protect your assets and help secure your family’s future? Here are a few examples of how big life events may change your life insurance needs. Buying a New Home Buying a new home is a significant purchase and often means taking on debt. With the rising cost of home ownership - the average Canadian home now costs $586,000 (up 18% in the past year!) - many Canadian families need two incomes to pay their mortgage. If you were to pass away, would your family...
Are you missing your regular gym workout these days? With the weather turning chillier, maybe you've been less inclined to exercise outdoors the way you may have been doing in the summer and fall. Instead of giving up your daily sweat and crawling under a pile of blankets for warmth this winter, why not try the getting fit in the comfort of your own home? The Many Benefits of Exercise It is no secret that regular physical exercise has a lot of health benefits. Exercise can strengthen your immune system, so you're better able to fight off colds and flus. It can also reduce stress, increase happiness and control weight. Working out is good for your muscles and bones, increases your energy, reduces the risk of chronic disease, helps brain health (memory in particular!), improves sleep quality and has been shown to relieve pain. Why Getting Fit at Home Is...