How do you manage stress?

The best stress reliever for me is slipping on my headphones and letting music carry me while I’m outside, surrounded by all the colours of nature. I listen to a mix of Fearless Soul, Bread, Neil Diamond, Shawn Mendes, Matchbox Twenty, OneRepublic, Crystal Gayle, Carpenters, and other easy‑listening favourites that help me think and settle my mind.

Some of my favourite moments  — sitting along the Waterfront watching the Harbour move, or resting by the Pond in Bowring Park, letting the music blend with the water, the trees, and the calm around me. It’s the simplest thing, but it’s where I feel most grounded.

I truly love where I live. The colourful homes, the historical buildings, and the way the city carries its past right out in the open — it all makes St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador feel warm, vibrant, and deeply rooted. Every street has its own personality, every corner has a story, and I never get tired of noticing the little details that make this place so unique. I love walking here, taking it all in…

I’m going to tell you a secret: I’ve learned that the stress of life hits a lot less when you genuinely love your life. It took me a long time to understand that.

As long as I have what I need and get to enjoy some of the amazing things life offers, I feel content. There will always be challenges, pressures, and days that feel heavier than others, but loving the life you’ve built softens the edges. It gives you something steady to lean on, and you can handle stress a whole lot better!