Angel Ianakiev

October makes everyone think of Halloween with ghosts, witches, scary movies, haunted houses and things that go bump in the night. October has another very important celebration; World Mental Health Day. We are using this day as a reminder that taking care of your mental health doesn’t have to be scary. October 10th, World Mental Health Day is a perfect reminder that caring for our minds should feel just as normal as caring for our bodies. We make appointments when something hurts. We rest...

When life feels overwhelming, sometimes one of the simplest things we can do for ourselves is step outside and take in nature. There are many reasons why they call it ‘the great outdoors’. The idea of intentionally spending time in nature has a name in Japan: shinrin-yoku, commonly translated as “forest bathing.” Forest bathing simply means immersing yourself in the atmosphere of a forest and experiencing it through your senses. The term was introduced in Japan in the 1980s as a way to...

It’s August which means backpacks, number 2 pencils and bus stops. Back-to-school season is here and it can bring a lot of emotions. There’s excitement about new teachers, fresh school supplies and seeing friends again but there can also be anxiety, exhaustion, uncertainty and overwhelm. And it’s not just kids who feel it. Parents, caregivers, teachers and school staff are adjusting to new schedules, earlier mornings, packed calendars and changing expectations too. To help with this season,...