Diet and exercise often take center stage when we think about health. However, the quest for well-being extends beyond the plate and the treadmill. Here are some lesser-known, yet scientifically backed, approaches to enhance your overall health:

Forest Bathing: Originating in Japan as "Shinrin-Yoku," forest bathing involves immersing oneself in a forest environment. This mindful exploration can reduce stress levels, improve mood and might boost the immune system.

Laughter Yoga: Combining laughter exercises with yoga breathing increases the intake of oxygen, releases endorphins and can be a mood enhancer. Plus, it's a fantastic way to connect with others in a joyful manner.

Earthing: Walking barefoot on natural surfaces, such as grass or sand, is called "earthing" or "grounding," and is believed to neutralize negative ions, reduce inflammation and improve sleep.

Music Therapy: Listening to or engaging with music can stimulate emotions, which can result in a stress-relief response. Music therapy has also been found effective in managing conditions like depression and anxiety.

Digital Detox: In our hyper-connected age, occasionally unplugging and taking a break from screens can help reduce eye strain, improve sleep quality and enhance real-world social connections.

While these techniques might not replace a balanced diet or regular exercise, integrating these alternative practices can offer a refreshing boost to your health journey.

Remember, health is holistic, and sometimes thinking outside the box can lead to the most profound wellness revelations.

Dear friends,

Due to extreme cold temperatures anticipated over the following days, in light of the current Arctic Outflow Warning issued by Environment Canada, I am sending out this general reminders for all of you, to assist in mitigating loss or risk for your properties. Please review the tips and suggestions for minimizing the risk to person and property during this cold weather.

DO:

1. Exterior checks looking for; open / broken windows and doors (this can lead to frozen pipes which are the number one source of loss during cold snaps),

2. Maintain heat in vacant units and in front entrance areas of units where fire sprinklers are located to a minimum of 21 degrees,

3. Ensure that exterior hose bibs have been winterized. This may include shutting off water supply, disconnecting hoses and adding a cover to the exterior bib, depending on your individual property needs.

DO NOT:

4. Attempt to remove excessive ice build-up on roof or ice dams.

5. Try to turn off your sprinkler systems to avoid freezing, residential fire sprinkler systems reduce fire-related deaths, injuries and property damage.

6. Leave your space heater on all night, they should be used only for a limited time and should never be left unattended.

Thank you for your attention to this matter,

Gino Pezzani

The holiday season has likely brought an influx of new items and decorations into your home, and now that January is here, it's the perfect time to clear out the clutter and start afresh.

I am excited to share some valuable strategies with you to help declutter and organize your home for a fantastic start to 2024. This "Refresh & Renew" guide is divided into five sections, each offering practical tips and insights to create a more harmonious living environment.

• Section 1 – Understanding Your Space

• Section 2 – Decluttering Made Simple

• Section 3 – Smart Storage Solutions

• Section 4 – Creating A Personalized Organization System

• Section 5 – Refreshing Your Space

Wishing you a joyous and organized start to the New Year,

Cold weather is no reason to ease up on your sunscreen routine, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. UVB rays, which are the primary cause of sunburn, are weaker in the winter. However, UVA rays, which contribute to premature skin aging, remain steady year- round and can penetrate clouds, fog and windows.

On a snowy day, UVA rays can be worse: Snow reflects up to 80 percent of UV light, so the rays hit you twice.

The best protection is an even coat of broad-spectrum sunscreen over all exposed skin, even the tops of your ears and around your hairline. A moisturizing sunscreen can do double duty, protecting you from the sun and harsh winter air.

Lila the songbird lived in a dense, tranquil forest, where no wind rustled the leaves and no water flowed. With a voice that could make trees sway in emotion, Lila sang melodies that spoke of old tales and new beginnings. But in this forest, a unique silence prevailed, which swallowed her songs and caused her to feel isolated and unheard.

One day, as Lila sang a melancholic tune, a wandering fox named Ren was drawn to the faint but subtle notes. Lila, sensing a potential audience, sang louder and poured all of her emotions into the song, hoping Ren would hear her. But the forest's thick silence was impenetrable and muffled her spirited song.

Seeing her effort, Ren approached the dejected songbird, who was perched on a branch. He softly said, "Lila, while I may not hear your song as others do, I see its beauty in the way your feathers dance, your eyes shine with passion and the forest responds to your rhythm."

Lila looked at him in surprise and said, "You mean, you can feel the essence of my song?" Ren, nodding with a knowing smile, said, "In this silent forest, it's not about being heard loudly, but about being felt deeply. Your song touches the soul, even if it doesn't reach the ears."

Inspired, Lila found a renewed purpose. She sang not just to be heard, but to connect, to touch and to feel. The silent forest was now alive with emotions, stories and melodies that resonated in the hearts of its inhabitants. And in this unique harmony, Lila and Ren found a deep friendship, bound by the silent songs of the forest.

Plenty of suggestions exist about where you should put your home-remodeling money and how much you can expect in return. Some experts say kitchens, some say bathrooms, and some say family rooms.

However, you—along with the advice from a real estate agent or architect—are the person who knows best about what your house needs. Contractors might overstate how much money you'll get back from what you spend.

Few remodeling projects add as much to the value of a house as they cost. The key to planning should be to make the house more enjoyable for yourself, rather than to spend extravagantly on a feature that might or might not interest a future buyer.

Most buyers have a checklist of must-haves and won’t highly value anything not on their checklist, even something attractive, such as a solarium. If resale is a primary concern for you, then stick to the basics. A unique home takes longer to sell and could bring a lower price than a conventional home.

Adding a bathroom puts your home into a higher tier of properties in the minds of home buyers with checklists. But there is no need to make it fancy, say home designers. An expensive whirlpool will not reap a good return.

As you remodel, architects advise about preserving your home's character. If you have a two-story home, then make a two-story addition. You'll need a foundation and a roof anyway, and the cost of the additional floor might not be as much as you expect.

Think about how you will use the new space. Is there a place for kids to drop their backpacks? Is there a walk-in pantry? If little things matter to you, then they might matter to the next owner, too.

Always think of yourself as a consumer of housing and as a would-be seller. When you wear both hats, you can make smart choices and easy compromises.

Here’s a technique I’ve mentioned before, but it’s so good, it’s worth repeating!

Instead of setting goals and making resolutions for the New Year, try this slightly different idea that might have greater impact on the results you get.

Instead of planning simple goals and resolutions, what if you imagine forward to the time when you are already at your goal, then you ask yourself how you got there?

Instead of saying “I’m going to lose 20 pounds,” or “I’m going to start going on more dates with my spouse,” or “I’m going to start putting 10% of everything I make in savings,” imagine you are already there. Then ask, “How did I get so thin?” “How did my spouse and I get so close and loving this year?” and “How did I get so prosperous?”

This twist is similar to what Noah St. John calls “afformations” in which he talks about turning affirmations on their head. When using this idea in goal setting, instead of affirming what we want in the future, we use the power of our inquisitive mind to picture the result and then ask how we got there. Our minds naturally want to find an answer, and in that answer might lie a more certain path to our goal.

By imagining goals in these terms, too, we’re picturing more than just the goal. We’re picturing the result of the goal.

So go ahead and reframe your New Year’s resolutions. Imagine you’ve already succeeded, and ask “How did I…?

Sincerely,

Gino Pezzani

Ah, the art of regifting! This is when your unwanted items become someone else's treasure. If you're considering passing on that fifth scented candle or that curious looking sweater Aunt Bertha gave you, then you're not alone. Here are some tips on how to master the art of regifting:

The No-Fingerprint Rule. Ensure there's no evidence that the gift was ever in your possession by removing notes, tags, or any suspicious wrapping paper remnants.

No Close-Family Circles. Never regift within your close family or friend circle. Your cousin doesn't need to see her gift being worn by your sister.

Quality Check. Ensure the gift is in good condition. No one appreciates a regifted item that looks like it's been in the back of your closet—even if it has.

Bundle It. If you have several smaller items, then create a themed gift basket. Those random scented lotions can be combined with a few bath bombs and candles for a "spa day" basket.

Although regifting can be a humorous endeavor, it's also a sustainable one. It reduces waste and can bring joy to someone else. Plus, many of us experience a certain thrill when we pull off a successful regift. Just remember to keep track of who gave you what. There might be nothing more embarrassing than regifting something to the original gifter!