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in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, D ec em be r 19 ,2 01 9 | 18 5450 Harvester Rd, Burlington Overhead Door (Hamilton-Burlington) Ltd. 905.333.1772 info@overheaddoorburlington.ca overheaddoorburlington.ca THeRmacORe®THeRmacORe®THeRmacORe For premium construction and maximum thermal efficiency, a Thermacore® insulated steel door is the ideal choice. This series of doors feature our sandwich construction of steel-polyurethane- steel as well as between-section seals with thermal breaks to reduce air infiltration. With several panel designs to choose from, these doors offer design flexibility, durability and thermal efficiency that will help keep your home comfortable in cold or hot climates. Insulated Steel Garage Doors Proud to be servicing the GTA for 35 Years. Overhead Door co. of Hamilton-Burlington™ ON NOW AT THE BRICK! SAVING YOU MORE For more details go instore or online @thebrick.com. The countdown to Christmas is on, and many of us are likely a little (or more than a little) extra busy and stressed. This time of year can certainly bring its share of overload as we fit the myri- ad of holiday tasks into our days, and that can mean that self-care and the things we usually do to maintain our health and wellness go out the win- dow. So what can we do to keep a healthy balance and give ourselves the gift of well-being? A bunch of our team members at the Cana- dian Mental Health Associ- ation have some great sug- gestions to offer: • Any day that you can, bundle up and go on a walk! I find myself sitting inside too much in the winter, which takes a toll on my mental health. The vitamin D and fresh air (even though it's chilly) always makes me feel better! • I keep myself on a bud- get when money is to be spent and remember that the holidays are not just about spending money on others - they're about spending time with others. • When having a stress- ful/hard day, I remind my-ful/hard day, I remind my-f self that "this will pass." Be- ing mindful of the way snow looks on trees and surroundings when I am feeling stressed or need tofeeling stressed or need tof be more mindful helps too. • I enjoy watching all the holiday movies, listening to the holiday songs, and dec- orating - it helps bring the spirit of the season to life for me. I actually leave myfor me. I actually leave myf decorations up until late January! • Keep it simple. I buy holiday treats because I hate baking and I ask peo- ple to bring dishes for the big dinner. It's a load off my mind. • Sleep! Don't work your- self to the point of exhaus- tion for the sake of one day. • I use the Headspace app all the time for myself and my family. Just doing a five-minute meditation to-five-minute meditation to-f gether is so calming. I like the way there are specific ones for when you are un- der the weather, feeling overwhelmed, are a stu- dent etc. • I structure in my calen- dar tasks or activities that are for my interest/well- ness - reading time, orga- nizing time, or time to watch something with my kids. This way, they are giv- en importance and I feel more balanced. • I make a "tonic." I boil, steep and strain fresh gin- ger, fresh turmeric, black pepper, cinnamon, cay- enne, fresh garlic, lemon juice, and apple cider vine- gar. Then every morning or when someone is feeling a little under the weather, we drink a "shot" of the tonic or add some warm water and drink it like a tea. It tastes terrible but alkalizes the body and is the perfect energizer! • I keep traditions that I enjoy and try different things. This year, my fami- ly is going to see the Star Wars movie on ChristmasWars movie on ChristmasW Eve night, and I can't wait! We wish you a happy,We wish you a happy,W healthy, and balanced holi- day season full of the things that matter most to you. 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. OPINION WISHING YOU GOOD MENTAL HEALTH THIS HOLIDAY SEASON HERE ARE SOME WAYS TO MINIMIZE STRESS AT THIS TIME OF YEAR, WRITES MCGREGOR MELANIE MCGREGOR Column SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT INSIDEHALTON.COM