Tag: wellbeing
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There’s No Such Thing as Normal: 13 Essential Lessons About Sex from 20 Years of Sexual Healing
There’s no universal norm when it comes to sex Sexuality isn’t a one-size-fits-all blueprint. The idea of a single “normal” can distort conversations, create anxiety, and keep people from seeking the support they need. After two decades of fielding questions through the column Sexual Healing, one of the most important truths has become clear: normal…
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Remembering Kieran Shingler: A Life Cut Short by a Sudden Illness
A life described as funny and gentle What began as a routine feeling of unwellness quickly escalated into a life-altering tragedy. On Bonfire Night 2022, a 26-year-old man started experiencing severe headaches and a loss of appetite. Those early symptoms, easy to dismiss as a passing cold or flu, masked a more serious underlying condition.…
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Five Practical Things to Do for Your Mental Health Before Year-End
Five practical steps to protect your mental health before year-end As the year rushes toward its close, many people feel the weight of seasonal stress, accelerated schedules, and budget pressures. The good news is you can take meaningful, low-cost actions that support your mental health without relying on quick fixes. Here are five practical steps…
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Love After Nasopharyngeal Cancer: How Romance and Resilience Redefine Healing
Introduction: Love as a Lifeline After Nasopharyngeal Cancer Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is a rare and challenging diagnosis that tests not only the body but also the heart. When treatment ends, survivors often face a long road of physical recovery and emotional adjustment. Yet alongside medical milestones, a powerful force often emerges: love. Relationships can become…
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Five Practical Ways to Support Your Mental Health Before Year’s End
Five practical things to do for your mental health before the end of the year As the year draws to a close, many of us feel a mix of reflection, stress, and the pressure to hit goals. The good news is that you don’t need expensive programs or heavy medications to bolster your mental health.…
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Five Practical Things to Do for Your Mental Health Before the End of the Year
Introduction: Why year-end wellbeing matters As the year closes, many of us feel the pressure of deadlines, financial concerns, and social obligations piling up. While there’s plenty of high-profile advice on mental health, the most effective strategies are often practical, small, and easy to fit into a busy schedule. Here are five straightforward steps you…
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Esther McCarthy 2025 Highlights: Cork Carry On After Sober October
From Sober October to Cork Carry On: A Year of Highlights and Lowlights Esther McCarthy has long written about everyday resilience, but 2025 felt like a real-life meditation on endurance, gratitude, and community. This year brought a mix of personal milestones and quieter moments that remind us how a year can hinge on small victories…
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The perfect morning routine: how to build a happy, healthy start to the day
Redefining the perfect morning The idea of a universal, flawless morning routine is a myth. What truly matters is establishing a set of habits that personalizes your wake-up, supports your wellbeing, and adapts to the realities of daily life. Instead of chasing a one-size-fits-all blueprint, aim for a flexible framework that blends consistency with space…
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We Survived 2025: Lessons in Resilience and Renewal
Introduction: Why Survival Became the Benchmark If 2025 taught us anything, it’s that survival is not a small feat, even when the world pretends otherwise. The year didn’t come wrapped in fireworks or headlines about instantly dramatic breakthroughs. Instead, many people found themselves navigating everyday pressures—economic shifts, climate anxiety, and the constant barrage of news…
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How to Find Your Joy in the Year Ahead: Six Canadian Tips
Introduction: A pause to consider joy In challenging times, it can feel like happiness is elusive. Yet a small shift in perspective can reveal pockets of joy scattered through everyday life. Six Canadians from different walks of life share their practical tips for finding joy in the year ahead, offering a mix of small rituals,…