Having a stressful move? Moving to another location can be a harrowing experience even for the most patient and calm people. How can you reduce stress when a big move is approaching? Here some helpful hints to give yourself a better night's rest!

First thing you should do is prepare. Before bed and in the morning, get in a traditional meditative position. This will help you retain your meditative state for a longer period of time. Make sure your body is relaxed, and your eyes are closed.

Mouth exhalation

When you exhale through your mouth, you relax your head, neck and chest. Breathe in through your nose, and raise your chest and stomach for ten seconds; then gently exhale through your mouth. This is a great way to start the meditation.

Retrospection

This part of meditation should be done at the end of the day. Think about what you did during the morning, and let the thoughts pass you by. The key is to not linger on any one thought; watch them as if you are watching movie pass by. While doing this, gently breathe in and out for 5 seconds each. Once you are done, continue to breathe 5 more times in complete breaths.

Autogentic training

This training involves being in communication with your body. Close your eyes; take 5 complete breaths, and repeat a mantra. Begin with saying your left leg is relaxed, your right leg is now relaxed, etc. Go through your entire body. After you are done, take 5 more full breaths. This is supposed help your entire body relax.

Getting your children ready for school is probably one of the most stressful parts of parenting. Waking your kids up, getting them dressed, making lunch, and just getting them out the door might be a pain. And while those things may be difficult, here are some ways to make it a little easier on both you and your kids.

Food

Kids generally like finger foods, so try cutting their sandwich up into little pieces. It will make it easier for them to eat, and they will probably enjoy it more. Replace sugary sweets with fruit like strawberries, blueberries, and sliced apples. Perhaps add peanut butter or yogurt to dip their fruit in. A healthy side can be vegetables like baby carrots or cherry tomatoes. Another good addition is cheese cubes. Sandwich alternatives could be quesadillas or dumplings! At the end of the day, your kids should eat what they are given. However, giving it to them in a way they like can convince them to eat healthier!

Accessibility

How you pack the lunch can can make or break the meal. If you give them a plastic lunch box, make sure that it isn't difficult to open. You may want to use a general paper bag, but that may not be feasible as the bag may break. Ideally, an easily accessible bento box may be the best option.

Ready-made food

Prepare lunch the day before, so you don't have to rush in the morning to get your kids their food. Set aside an hour before you go to sleep to prepare their lunches. Usually, it shouldn't take any longer than an hour to prepare simple lunches.

Give your kids the nice healthy lunch that they deserve. Good luck this school year, and don't stress out!

Sometimes you want to get away, but you don't have the funds (or the time) to travel abroad. Well, how about traveling through Canada? Take a day trip to the closest big city, and indulge in the amazing cuisine and other luxuries presented to you!

Food

First, and always the most important, find good food. The great thing about Canada's big cities is that they are so multicultural. In Toronto, there's a Jamaican-Italian fusion restaurant called "Rasta Pasta." In Vancouver, try creative new sushi rolls at "Volcanoes." And in Montreal, you eat the always classic poutine. If you travel to Montreal before the summer is over, go to "La Banquise" which offers imaginative editions of the original classic.

Culture

If big cities have anything in common, it's culture. Whether it's the Caribbean flair of Toronto or the old world feel of Montreal, there is plenty of cultural experiences to be had. In Montreal, there is a music festival every weekend of the summer. In Toronto, there are constantly summer activities at the waterfront

Night Life

If you are looking for a night out on a budget, there are a couple of easy tips. First, do not go to any clubs or bars that are being advertised on the sides of buildings or taxis. If you are in Toronto, check out Dundas West. This neighborhood is up and coming with tasty restaurants and affordable bars. In Montreal, check out Main Street or St. Laurent Avenue for bustling bars and clubs. You can even relax on a patio on Prince Arthur Street, and sip on your favorite drink while passing the time away.

If you are looking for a relatively cheap and quick vacation, you have some local cities waiting for your arrival!