Learn how to cook seasonally

We get it—sometimes you just want a strawberry. But out-of-season foods often require more pesticides to grow, contaminating the soil and water. Build your meals around local, seasonal ingredients. If you have no idea where to start, try one of chef Jonathan Cheung’s seasonally focused classes at his Westmount, Que., cookbook bookstore, Appetite for Books.

 

Journal, but actually 

It’s true: That thing you used to do on and off in middle school until you final­ly gave up for good is a valuable form of self-care. Journaling helps us organize the jumble of thoughts in our minds, improving our memory and allowing us to sleep better, and even boosts our immune system and moods. And don’t put pressure on yourself to do it every day: Even just doing it in moments of stress can help.

 

Say hi to your neighbour

“Things like making eye contact, smiling, asking how they’re doing, giving them a compliment—these are ways that we can forge a moment of belonging with someone else, make them feel like they’re valued and have that reciprocated in turn and build meaning with micro-connections,” says Emily Esfahani Smith, author of The Power of Meaning: Crafting a Life That Matters.

 

Follow Donté Colley on Instagram

There’s no way you can watch even just one of the Torontonian’s motivational IG dance videos and not feel ready to take on the day. (@donte.colley)

 

 

Download the Acts of Random Kindness app

We all need a little help sometimes. This app will send you push notifications to do something kind for someone and even offers useful suggestions for when you’re really stuck. (Call your mom!)

 

This article first appeared in the April 2019 issue of ELLE Canada.