We all have heard the idiom, “we all walk to the beat of our own drums.” It holds true in so many ways. Put a hundred people in a room, show them the same scene, and you’ll likely get a hundred different reactions. Each person sees the world through a unique lens shaped by their experiences, culture, and personal history.

Urban design isn’t just about where things go, it’s about how a place makes you feel the moment you arrive. It’s a multidisciplinary practice concerned with the physical layout, sensory experience, and psychological impact of built environments. It’s not just about structures; it’s about how environments actively shape human behaviour, perception, and quality of life.

As Spring rolls around, we pack away our winter coats and relish the beautiful cherry blossoms. What better time to spruce up our homes? Spring is traditionally seen as a period of renewal. In Thailand, they ring in the Buddhist New Year with the Songkran Festival by washing away the impurities of the past, both literally and figuratively (Dandwala, 2024).

Every day, we make countless decisions—some small, some big and others life-altering. Yet, among all these choices, one of the most important decisions we can make is our health and how we want it to be managed in the future. This is where Advance Care Planning comes into play, and it's why Advance Care Planning Day is so important for everyone. 

Recent advances in science have deepened our understanding of the complex connection between gut health and brain function. While these two systems might appear separate, they are closely linked, especially through the role of inflammation. This article explores how gut health impacts brain health, highlighting key factors like inflammation, insulin resistance, and shares the six fundamental pillars of brain wellness. 

In honor of International Women’s Day this month, we will be highlighting brain wellness in the context of women’s health!

Physical book, e-book, or audiobook are all options that can help you reap the health benefits of reading.

 Benefits of Reading

Books can educate and improve the well-being of their readers. Here are more benefits to reading.

 1)    Helping cognitive function (Chang, Wu, Hsiung, 2020)

• Reading more than once a week has been associated with slowing cognitive decline. Start slowly with 5- or 10-minutes of reading a day.

2)    Stress reduction (Liu, Han, Li, & Zhao, 2024)…

Journaling is a simple yet powerful tool for improving mental clarity and overall well-being. For individuals living with chronic brain conditions, care partners, and healthy agers, it provides a structured space to reflect, process emotions, and find solutions to challenges. Mental clarity, the ability to think clearly, stay focused, and make thoughtful decisions, is essential for managing responsibilities, solving problems, and maintaining emotional balance.

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, love is in the air! Let’s explore some of the ways to appreciate our loved ones on this special occasion.

Love languages have a profound impact on brain chemistry by influencing hormones, neurotransmitters, and overall emotional well-being. Understanding this connection can help us appreciate how deeply our relationships influence both our mental and physical health.

Stress is a natural response to the demands and pressures we face daily. While some stress can motivate us to act, chronic stress can harm our mental and physical health. Often, when we’re overwhelmed, the very habits that help us cope, such as eating well, exercising, or connecting with others, fall by the wayside. Instead, we might overeat, overthink, or avoid others, making things feel even more unmanageable. 

Dear BC Brain Wellness Program Participants,

Happy 2025!

 As we welcome a brand-new year, the Participant Advisory Committee (PAC) reflects on the incredible journey we are all on together toward brain wellness in 2025.

”Human relationships are primary in all of living. When the gusty winds blow and shake our lives, if we know that people care about us, we may bend with the wind…but we won’t break” by Fred Rogers

Social health is important all year long, not just around the holidays! Yet the holidays do bring up a lot of different emotions because of social obligations or unmet social needs.

Since its inception in 2019, the BC Brain Wellness Program (The Program) has provided a source of hope and well-being for many. We are thrilled to share the progress we have made in this annual report.

Meaningful human connection is one of the most powerful buffers against life’s challenges and uncertainties. Among the most transformative types of connections are intergenerational.

As the holiday season approaches, many of us look forward to being together with our loved ones, enjoying festive celebrations, and taking time away from our usual routines. However, these months can also bring an increase in stress for similar reasons, putting strain on our mental and physical well-being. In this article, we explore practical strategies for managing your stress this holiday season.

There is no Hallmark holiday for Care Partners….but there should be! However, November is National Family Caregivers Month.

There are many words used to describe the act of providing care to someone else….caregiver, care partner, carer….Sometimes these words are used interchangeably, and other times, people feel one word more accurately describes their role.

Regardless of National Caregivers Month or Care Partners Awareness Day, care partners should be “seen” for all they do in front of and behind the scenes.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of friend, mentor and co-Founder of the BC Brain Wellness Program, Dr. Jack Taunton. The legacy of his work, passion and creativity has left an indelible mark on our country and on all those who had the privilege to meet him. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife Cheryl and all his family and friends. Thank you Jack. Forever in our hearts and never forgotten.

Thank you to all our esteemed guests who attended the BC Brain Wellness Program’s 5th Year Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, October 19! On this special occasion, we celebrated the impact and inspiration of the BC Brain Wellness Program as we enter into our fifth year of supporting individuals living with chronic brain conditions, their care partners and healthy agers. Together, we are the future of brain wellness.

The BC Brain Wellness Program (BCBWP) at the University of British Columbia was founded by two physicians in an attempt to extend the usual clinical care from sick care to prevention and empower individuals to take action themselves to improve their health. The physicians’ clinical experience clearly favoured the inclusion of lifestyle interventions such as exercise, healthy nutrition, creative and cognitive activities, stress reduction, mindfulness and social connection into a holistic health care approach.

Mindful breathing can serve as an important tool for mental well-being! 

Studies show that mindful breathing lowers pain scores and stress, because it allows the individual to focus on their bodily sensations, rather than being distracted by pervasive, often negative, thoughts (Sinclair, 2021).