Bradford, Ont. woman promotes positive mental health through laughter yoga
A woman in Bradford, Ont. combines laughter and exercise to promote positive mental health and well-being.
Cathy Nesbit of Cathy's Chuckle Club teaches laughter yoga, offering a free, online class every Tuesday.
Laughter yoga originated in India more than 25 years ago, according to the Laughter Yoga University website.
Nesbit said it's now a global movement and has several health benefits.
"I think the most important part of laughter is the oxygen. When we're stressed, we're not breathing properly, so our body isn't getting what it needs and for sure our brain isn't," Nesbit said.
"[It’s about] deciding every day that I'm going to laugh because when we're laughing we're totally present."
As people continue to feel the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nesbit said there is no better time to introduce yourself into the world of laughter yoga.
"During this cuckoo time, we really need something to help our mental health. We have many problems, so laughter is the fastest happiness hack," Nesbit said.
She said it’s not always easy for people to add laughter into their exercise routine, but even if it’s forced, it’s still worth it.
"The brain doesn't know the difference between real and simulated laughter. As soon as we laugh, we start secreting love drugs and the brain says 'I'm laughing, I must be happy,'" Nesbit said.
"When you give yourself permission to engage in this … and break through that resistance, the magic happens."
Nesbit’s free classes are offered on her website at 9:30 a.m. every Tuesday.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Possible scenarios that could play out in Ottawa as the Liberal government teeters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is said to be reflecting on his future over the holidays after the resignation of his top cabinet minister, Chrystia Freeland, in mid-December. The bombshell move prompted a fresh wave of calls for Trudeau to step down as Liberal leader from inside and outside the caucus.
5 things we know and still don't know about COVID, 5 years after it appeared
The virus is still with us, though humanity has built up immunity through vaccinations and infections. It's less deadly than it was in the pandemic's early days and it no longer tops the list of leading causes of death. But the virus is evolving, meaning scientists must track it closely.
Man who died in Tesla Cybertruck explosion was active-duty U.S. Army soldier, officials say
The person who authorities believe died in the explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck packed with firework mortars and camp fuel canisters outside U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's Las Vegas hotel was an active-duty U.S. Army soldier, three U.S. officials told The Associated Press on Thursday.
Woman, father killed on New Year's Eve were victims of intimate partner violence: Halifax police
Halifax police are investigating three deaths that are connected – two of which they say were homicides resulting from intimate partner violence – in the city on New Year’s Eve.
Mounties investigate discovery of 'very small pipe bomb' in Kamloops, B.C.
Mounties are investigating and appealing for witnesses after an explosive device was discovered Wednesday on a beach in Kamloops, B.C.
LIVE UPDATES
LIVE UPDATES FBI says the New Orleans truck attacker acted alone in an 'act of terrorism'
The FBI now says the New Orleans truck attacker acted alone in an 'act of terrorism' when he drove a pickup truck into a crowd of New Year's revellers early Wednesday, killing 14 people.
Sask. RCMP locate missing inmate of Yorkton prison
An inmate who was wanted for being unlawfully-at-large after not returning to Whitespruce Provincial Training Centre in Yorkton has been found and arrested.
FORECAST
FORECAST Weather warnings issued in 6 provinces and territories
Wintry weather conditions, including heavy snow and wind chill values around -55, prompted warnings in six provinces and territories early Thursday morning.
Who are Canada's top-earning CEOs and how much do they make?
Canada's 100 highest-paid CEOs earned $13.2 million on average in 2023 from salaries, bonuses and other compensation, according to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
Kitchener
-
Perth County resident loses $320K in computer scam involving gold bars
A Perth County resident has lost $320,000 in a computer pop-up scam after receiving a notification there was a security breach of their personal information.
-
Kitchener, Ont. artist designs new Raptors logo for Indigenous Heritage Game
The Toronto Raptors have unveiled a reimaged Indigenous-inspired logo, created by Kitchener, Ont. visual artist Luke Swinson.
-
UPDATE
UPDATE Heavy snow and snow squall warnings for parts of southwestern Ontario
After a weekend of mild and wet weather, winter is making its return to southwestern Ontario, with Environment Canada issuing heavy snow and snow squall warnings for Waterloo Region, Stratford, Wellington County and Brant County.
London
-
London president named to the Order of Ontario 2025
A local president and CEO has been named to the Order of Ontario for 2025.
-
Snow squall warning in effect for parts of Midwestern Ontario
Parts of Midwestern Ontario are under a snow squall warning, according to Environment Canada. Other areas are under a weather advisory.
-
Single vehicle collision leads to impaired charges on New Year’s Day
Charges have been laid after a single vehicle collision in London on New Year’s Day.
Windsor
-
Vehicle crashes into Running Factory window during theft on Walker Road
Windsor police are investigating after a break-in and theft at a business on Walker Road.
-
Man accused of taking upskirt photos of women on New Year’s at downtown business
Windsor police have arrested a Sarnia man for taking upskirt photos of a woman at a local business.
-
Statements to police admissible in Windsor terrorism trial
A Windsor judge has ruled that an accused statements to the Windsor police are admissible in an ongoing terrorism trial.
Northern Ontario
-
Body of one drowning victim recovered in Temiskaming Shores, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police's underwater search and recovery unit has found the remains of one of two victims of Sunday's drowning in Temiskaming Shores.
-
Possible scenarios that could play out in Ottawa as the Liberal government teeters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is said to be reflecting on his future over the holidays after the resignation of his top cabinet minister, Chrystia Freeland, in mid-December. The bombshell move prompted a fresh wave of calls for Trudeau to step down as Liberal leader from inside and outside the caucus.
-
Charges after transport driver in northern Ont. fixed window with duct tape
A transport truck driver has been charged after a motorist alerted police about a commercial motor vehicle that had duct tape covering the driver's side window.
Sault Ste. Marie
-
Sault motorist stopped at green light charged with impaired driving on New Year’s Eve
A New Year’s Eve traffic stop in the Sault has led to impaired driving charges for a local resident.
-
Suspended driver from Alberta charged with stunt driving in northern Ont.
A driver was caught speeding at more than 160 km/h on Highway 17 near Blind River, Ont., Ontario Provincial Police on Thursday.
-
One charged with impaired driving of a snow machine
An impaired snow machine driver without a helmet crashed into a snowbank last week, police in northwestern Ontario say.
Ottawa
-
ByWard Market restaurant closes after more than 35 years
Blue Cactus has closed its doors in Ottawa's ByWard Market after serving customers for more than 35 years. A sign on the restaurant's door at 2 ByWard Market Square says Blue Cactus will be "closing its doors effective immediately."
-
4 youths facing charges following ‘multiple incidents’ in eastern Ontario: OPP
Four youths from eastern Ontario are facing multiple charges after they were involved in multiple incidents stretching from Smiths Falls to Cornwall, Ont. on New Year’s Day, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
-
Chick-fil-A to open second Ottawa restaurant on Jan. 9
Chick-fil-A is set to open in the Rideau Centre next week, the second location in Ottawa.
Toronto
-
Ontario approves 9 facilities to convert from supervised consumption sites to treatment hubs
The province has released new details of its plan to convert some of Ontario’s supervised consumption sites to Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) hubs amid backlash from community advocates and medical professionals who say the closures will lead to more deaths.
-
'Absolutely crazy' snow squalls trigger whiteout conditions, crashes in parts of southern Ontario: OPP
Snow squall warnings are in effect for parts of southern Ontario with up to 60 centimetres of snow expected in some areas, and provincial police say they’re already responding to multiple crashes and rollovers across the region.
-
Road closures and TTC service changes to impact Toronto traffic this weekend
Road closures around Toronto and TTC route changes may make any travel plans on the first weekend of 2025 longer than normal.
Montreal
-
'Really disappointing': Organizer says Montreal New Year's Eve fireworks show interrupted by 'technical issue'
New Year's Eve is usually a time when spirits are high and everyone is in a celebratory mood, but if you spent the night at the Old Port in Montreal chances are you might have been let down.
-
From industrial highway to developer's paradise, Montreal's Lachine Canal turns 200
It used to be that on New Year’s Eve, people living along Montreal’s Lachine Canal would throw open their doors to hear the nearby factories blow their horns when the clocks struck midnight.
-
Unloading of grounded ship in the St. Lawrence postponed to Saturday
The unloading of the cargo of corn from the Cypriot ship that ran aground on Christmas Eve in the St. Lawrence River in the Verchères area has been postponed.
Atlantic
-
Woman, father killed on New Year's Eve were victims of intimate partner violence: Halifax police
Halifax police are investigating three deaths that are connected – two of which they say were homicides resulting from intimate partner violence – in the city on New Year’s Eve.
-
Man who barricaded himself inside Porters Lake home found dead: N.S. RCMP
A man who barricaded himself inside a home in the Porters Lake, N.S., area Thursday morning has died.
-
Halifax police 'conducting an operation' in city's north end
There is a heavy police presence in Halifax’s north end, where officers are “conducting an operation" Thursday afternoon.
Winnipeg
-
St. Andrews home a total loss following fire
A home in St. Andrews is a complete loss following an early morning fire on Thursday.
-
Winnipeg man dies following two-vehicle crash: RCMP
A 32-year-old man from Winnipeg has died following a two-vehicle crash on New Year’s Eve.
-
Gas tax returns to Manitoba
Manitoba’s gas tax holiday has now come to an end.
Calgary
-
Marathon rezoning meeting and transit troubles among Calgary City Hall's biggest stories of 2024
Calgary’s city council had a busy year in 2024, contending with backlash over bag fees, a marathon debate about city-wide rezoning, broken water mains and a stop-and-go process with the Green Line LRT project.
-
'It's just unbelievable': Calgary-based band performs in front of thousands in iconic Rose Parade
A Calgary-based band travelled to Pasadena, Calif., to play in the 136th Rose Parade on New Year’s Day.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER Calgary to see colder temperatures until next week
A stagnant weather pattern will support the flow of Arctic air toward the U.S. Midwest over the next few days.
Edmonton
-
'Radon exists everywhere': How to detect and keep the harmful gas out of your home
An invisible, odourless and harmful gas could be making its way into your home.
-
'We had so many hopes': Syrian refugee family reflects on nearly a decade in Canada
When asked about her life in Syria a decade ago, Amani Shamseddin struggles to find the words.
-
New year brings new Alberta taxes, electricity 'rate of last resort'
Alberta’s electricity “rate of last resort” starts Wednesday, replacing the province’s previous default rate for consumers who don't have a contract.
Regina
-
Regina police charge 2 following armed robbery investigation
Regina police have charged two people following an unsuccessful robbery attempt outside a business on News Year's Day.
-
Sask. RCMP locate missing inmate of Yorkton prison
An inmate who was wanted for being unlawfully-at-large after not returning to Whitespruce Provincial Training Centre in Yorkton has been found and arrested.
-
No injuries in early morning Regina house fire
No one was hurt in a house fire in Regina early Thursday morning.
Saskatoon
-
Man seriously injured following a shooting in Saskatoon
Police say a 20-year-old Saskatoon man is recovering in hospital after being shot while at a residence on the 100 block of Avenue V South.
-
Saskatoon mayor optimistic about what's to come, despite challenges
As Saskatoon welcomes 2025, Mayor Cynthia Block begins the year with optimism, reflecting on 2024's accomplishments.
-
Sask. women between 47 and 49 now eligible for breast cancer screening
More Saskatchewan women are now able to access breast cancer screening as the province takes a phased approach to lower age eligibility.
Vancouver
-
Woman found dead at Port Moody marina, criminality not ruled out
A woman was found dead in the water in Port Moody on New Year's Day, according to police, who say criminality has not been ruled out in the case.
-
Mounties investigate discovery of 'very small pipe bomb' in Kamloops, B.C.
Mounties are investigating and appealing for witnesses after an explosive device was discovered Wednesday on a beach in Kamloops, B.C.
-
Eyewitnesses to unsolved Vancouver homicide urged to co-operate with police
Vancouver police are urging witnesses to a fatal stabbing several years ago to "do the right thing" by coming forward and co-operating with investigators.
Vancouver Island
-
Eyewitnesses to unsolved Vancouver homicide urged to co-operate with police
Vancouver police are urging witnesses to a fatal stabbing several years ago to "do the right thing" by coming forward and co-operating with investigators.
-
Mounties investigate discovery of 'very small pipe bomb' in Kamloops, B.C.
Mounties are investigating and appealing for witnesses after an explosive device was discovered Wednesday on a beach in Kamloops, B.C.
-
'Cash poor' businesswoman is worth at least $20M, can pay off mortgage debt, B.C. court rules
A Vancouver businesswoman who claimed to be too "cash poor" to pay off a roughly $3 million mortgage debt – despite having claimed a net worth in excess of $94 million as recently as 2018 – has been ordered to pay up.
