5 Ways to Care for Your Well-Being This Weekend

As World Mental Health Day is marked on October 10 and the Thanksgiving long weekend approaches, it’s the perfect time to slow down and take care of yourself. In the North, autumn settles gently, the light changes, and so do our rhythms. It’s a season that invites reflection, rest, and reconnection. Here are five simple ways to nurture your mental balance over the next few days.

1. Step outside — even for a short moment

Walking a trail, admiring a lakeshore, or feeling the cold wind on your face can have a real impact on your mood and stress levels. Even a few minutes in nature can help calm the mind, reduce anxiety, and improve sleep. The North offers breathtaking landscapes — let’s take care of them, and let them take care of us.

2. Reconnect with your community

Well-being also grows through human connection. Use the long weekend to share a meal, visit a friend, or take part in a local activity — small gestures that strengthen the community ties that mean so much in the North. These simple moments remind us that no one is truly alone, and that mutual support is one of our greatest strengths.

3. Unplug from screens

Our devices are useful, but they constantly demand our attention. Taking a few hours away from screens helps ease mental fatigue and makes space for creativity. Reading a novel, listening to music, journaling, or cooking a comforting meal are all ways to refocus and enjoy the present moment.

4. Practice gratitude

Writing down three things that bring you joy — a smile, a sunset, a shared cup of coffee — might seem simple, but it can truly shift your perspective. Gratitude helps strengthen emotional resilience and highlight the sources of light, even during darker seasons.

5. Allow yourself to rest

In a culture that moves fast, giving yourself permission to do nothing is an act of self-kindness. Sleeping in, slowing down, watching the snow fall, or simply breathing deeply are powerful ways to restore your energy. Rest isn’t lost time — it’s essential to learn, work, and live well together.

In conclusion

This long weekend, whether you spend it in nature, with loved ones, or at home, take the time to listen to what your mind needs. At Collège Nordique, we believe that individual well-being feeds collective well-being — that by taking care of ourselves, we help build a more human, inclusive, and resilient learning community.

Published October 14th 2025