With winter comes the excitement of moving through the snow on toboggans, skis, snowboards, skates, and snowmobiles. One of the most common modes of transportation in the winter, though, is one that many people dread: everyday winter driving. Winter driving impacts all Canadians. Even for those who manage to avoid driving themselves, winter roads conditions can cause delays for delivery drivers, postal workers, ride-sharers, and more. When everyone does what they can to mitigate the risks of winter driving, both individual drivers and their communities can benefit. Winterize your ride [1] This tips can help make sure your vehicle is road-ready (even when you'd rather be curled up...

What comes to mind when you think of digital clutter? Is it as intrusive as physical clutter? How do you clear your digital mess? It often helps to revisit your digital space on a periodic basis to address the various aspects of digital decluttering. Keeping your virtual organization in check can have a positive impact on your mental and emotional well-being. What is Digital Clutter? Digital clutter involves any unnecessary data you have stored, whether on your phone, computer, or in the cloud. This can include photos, videos, emails, files, chats, contacts, etc. The most common problem areas for the average person when it comes to managing digital...

In the aftermath of the holiday season hustle and bustle, it's natural to feel down. You may notice you feel more tired, less motivated, or just not quite like yourself. You might even feel anxious or depressed. It is important to know that you are not alone. Many people suffer from the winter blues, and each person has their own way of working through it. There are countless ways you can manage these feelings and care for yourself. Finding what works best for you may take some exploration. We are here to provide you with more information about the winter blues and inspire you with some ideas for...

You have something to say, and you have put great consideration into just what information to include, which words to wield, and the audience you are approaching. But have you thought about which communication mediums will deliver your message most effectively? This choice can seem obvious or even arbitrary, but the way people receive information can be more impactful than the information itself. Canadian communication theorist and the father of media studies Marshall McLuhan coined the phrase “The medium is the message”[1], highlighting the importance of how we relay information. The same message delivered through different communication mediums can have a vastly different impact. For example, breaking up...

Canada’s National Day for Truth & Reconciliation was established on September 30, 2021 and coincides with Orange Shirt Day. This day serves to memorialize the tragic history of the residential school system and the echoing impacts today. On September 30th, Canadians honour those who have felt the trauma of residential schools – the children who never came home, the survivors, their families, and their communities. The Residential School System of Canada Today, schools are a place of learning and conversation. We feel safe sending our children to school for the day, and are equally confident in the knowledge that they will come home each evening. However, this was...

Our technology and securities are continually improving, but so are hackers and their malicious software. The standard practice of choosing strong passwords, while important, is not enough anymore. Take a moment to consider the digital accounts that you commonly access. You will likely notice a trend across these platforms now requiring multiple steps to verify who is trying to login to the account. Multifactor Authentication (MFA) is a process using two or more credentials in combination to verify a user’s identity. These credentials will fall into three categories: Something you know: like a password, passphrase, or PIN Something you have: like a security token or security code Something...

In today’s workplace, many of us can relate to the fast-paced environments that leave us feeling challenged and accomplished. There are strong positive points for the constantly moving environments; people are adapting faster, as well as developing and strengthening competencies like time management and problem-solving. These environments are fostering innovation. However, when these environments are unmanaged and unbalanced, they can cause people to experience a heightened state of stress. When researching how to reduce stress, you will likely come across resources recommending that you find sources of stability. Balancing your nervous system is an excellent way to not only reduce stress, but to address it at the source....

No one wants to fall victim to fraudulent letters or scams and with today’s technologies, these cons can arrive in a number of ways, whether that be through direct mail or email. These letters sound convincing as they can impersonate an attorney, financial institution, or government agency. It is best to be cautious, especially when receiving unexpected communication, and learn how to detect warning signs. It is always a good practice to take a second look at an official letter or email and never click on the link provided or respond to a phone number included, even if your initial take is that the communication is real. If...

As summer comes to a close, employees are taking vacations to try to enjoy the last of the warm weather. But if they are leaving the country, they should be prepared and make sure that they are covered by travel insurance for any unforeseen accidents. There are many reasons to book travel insurance before planning a vacation. What if an emergency happens and flights needs to be cancelled? What if luggage is lost? What if there is a medical mishap and a visit to a hospital is required? What happens if you are pickpocketed? Luckily, most basic travel insurance policies cover these unexpected events and will help reimburse...

Maintaining good oral hygiene is important for our overall health, which is why most employers make sure to include dental plans in their employee benefits packages. Even if you follow a diligent oral hygiene routine, it is always good to take advantage of your dental benefits to be certain there are no surprises. Your dental hygienist is a professional doctor that is looking out for your health and you should visit them just as often as you would your family doctor. It is highly recommended that adults visit their dentist regularly at least once a year, however some people may go sooner if their benefits plan allow them...