7 | O akville B eaver | T hursday,M ay 23,2019 insidehalton.com AIRE ONE MADNEss sAlEAIRE ONE MADNEss sAlE $700 OFF HI-EFFICIENCY CENTRAL AIR *Call for Details $1990$1990 *Startingfrom 10 Year Factory Warranty $29 /MTH OAC* FURNACE OR CENTRAL AIR DIAGNOSTIC SPECIAL FaSt & Reliable SeRviCe $49$49 * *Call for details HIgH EFFICIENCY FURNACE & CENTRAL AIR PACKAGE INCLUDES: • 95.5% High Efficiency Gas Furnace • High Efficiency Central Air R410A Refrigerant • 10 Year Factory Warranty $3990$3990 *StartingFrom Heating & Cooling Over 120,000 satisfied custOmers 9 Locations to serve you better www.aireone.com OAKVILLE 905-849-4998 1-888-827-2665 95.5%EFF. ONLY OR /mth$59OAC* RECEIvE UP tO $2,765 IN mANUFACtURER & GAS COmPANY REbAtES* *Call for Details Pud bySteveNease J.M.C Concrete Interlocking LTD Oakville's Favourite Patios & Driveways! DIAMONDDIAMOND DIAMONDDIAMOND LIKE US ONAsk for John www.jmcconcrete.ca 905-878-8595 • stamped concrete • interlocking • exposed aggregate • flagstone • french curbs • retainingwalls • garage floors • free estimates It's no secret that self- care is vital to maintaining optimal mental health. It is anything that we do to take care of our overall well- ness, recharge our batter- ies, decompress, relax and feel good. We may think of self- care as grand gestures like massages and spa visits, and while these may be amazing, self-care can also be everyday activities. What makes something self-care is the intention we bring to it - the activity it- self is less important than the fact that we deliberate- ly make the time for some- thing we enjoy. We've heard tons of great self-care ideas from our clients, as well as peo- ple who take our courses and workshops. Some stuck out as activities that might seem like typical self-care choices, but it was the attitude behind them that really stuck a chord with us. Here is a selection of five cool and unique ideas for self-care: "I cleaned the snow off of two strangers' cars when I went out last night." Doing nice things for others really can make us feel good about ourselves! And that's some of the best self-care there is. "I went to class." This may not sound like self-care, but the person ex- plained that she was taking a class in something she en- joyed just for herself - not for a grade, not for anyone else. It was time for herself that she really valued. "I watched TV." Again, not what we would usually think of as self-care. But it was a show that the person had record- ed and had been excited to watch for a long time, but never had the time. So, he carved out an hour to have a healthy snack and enjoy the time to himself. "I let my partner take me out for dinner." This person said that she always preferred her own cooking to going out. How- ever, when her partner sug- gested going to a restaurant, she thought of not having a kitchen to tidy or dishes to do and went for it. Time saved on cleanup, a yummy meal, and good conversa- tion with her partner - an all-around win. "I didn't spend any mon- ey." This person found that her usual self-care ideas were things that cost mon- ey - pedicures, manicures and shopping. So, she de- cided to push herself to try something new and took her dog for a long walk, and then curled up with a good book instead of her regular go-tos. Now, she has an even fuller self-care tool box to access. We've certainly learned lots about self-care from people we meet each and every day. Give some of these a try! Melanie McGregor is the communications and advancement specialist at the Canadian Mental Health Association Halton Region Branch, which provides mental health/ addiction community sup- port and education. Visit www.halton.cmha.ca for more information and follow @cmhahalton on Twitter. SOME IDEAS FOR SELF-CARE OPINION PLENTY OF SIMPLE AND EASY OPTIONS, WRITES MELANIE MCGREGOR MELANIE MCGREGOR Column Dear editor: The media can make progress on climate change by relentlessly informing consumers of positive solu- tions to root causes. Let's hear about the breakthrough science and innovations from local businesses and academics, who have a global perspec- tive. As citizens, we should ask why our governments subsidize legacy industries like auto, fossil fuels and plastics. Instead, invest in the fu- ture: Trains, public transit, alternative energy, local food, cycling infrastruc- ture and waste reduction technologies. Speak out to your repre- sentative in government when they disregard the value of green space and so- cial determinants of health. Demand a policy and legislative game plan to build sustainable systems and jobs. And, as citizens, we have to walk the talk. JUDY TYSON PROMOTE POSITIVE SOLUTIONS TO CLIMATE CHANGE SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT INSIDEHALTON.COM