Let’s all make February the happiest month of the year! Happiness Habits 613, a grassroots local wellness group, is back for another 28 days of free community experiences in February to dig deeper into cultivating happiness for the entire city. Through in-person and virtual community events, the nine pillars of happiness are showcased to everyone and anyone.
Why 28 days? It takes at least 21 days for the brain to embrace and lock in a healthy habit. Why February? It’s generally the most challenging month for people to get through with a smile on their faces and a glow in their hearts. What is a “healthy” habit? Feeling gratitude, creating meaningful experiences, connecting with nature, and being part of a community are examples that contribute to our happiness quotient.
Since 2015, Happiness Habits 613 has fostered community happiness through intentional, everyday actions. Happiness research tells us 40 percent of our happiness stems from internal activities we can fully control, 10 percent is due to external factors, and 50 percent is from our genes. What we think, say, and do impacts our well-being.
Tamara Robinson and I are back for 2023 to provide the fun, connections and recipe for long-term happiness.
Co-leads Tamara Robinson and Stephen Bierbrier at Nu Grocery. Photo provided.
Lots of new stuff this year, including collaborations with Nu Grocery, Marcelo Cuenca, Brooke Eagle, Saje Wellness, Laura D’Alessandro, Decathlon Ottawa, Kanata Nordic, The Movement Co, and a fresh interactive Happiness art installation at Urban Art Collective (1088 Somerset St. W. in Hintonburg). A book club is also still in the works.
Here are our top picks for the events we are most looking forward to (aside from the kick-off event):
Tamara’s Top Picks
- Nutrition and minimalism chats/workshops powered by Nu Grocery (143 Main St.)
- Mindfulness hike at Fletcher Wildlife Garden
- Fill the Freezer at Parkdale Food Centre
- Self-care workshop powered by Saje Wellness Rideau Centre
- Sunset snowshoe at Gatineau Park
Stephen’s Top Picks
- Hintonburg mural run/walk powered by Urban Art Collective
- Happiness hike with Megan Hayward
- Skate on Rideau Canal Skateway powered by Mad Radish
- Happiness yoga powered by Decathlon Ottawa
- Nordic Ski powered by Kanata Nordic
Happiness Habits is also thrilled to promote ongoing free (or close to free) community fitness and wellness events in February, including Creative Mornings, Ottawa Public Library movie nights, Ottawa Art Gallery art events, Canadian Women of Colour Leadership Network, November Project, Ottawa City Run Club, Capital Sessions, Ottawa Bike Social, Movecamp, Simply Meditation, the National Arts Centre, Women of Colour Remake Wellness, The Lotus Movement, Black Ottawa Connect, Assembly of Seven Generations, Arboretum Hill Club, Mill Street Milers, Sunrise Trails… and on and on and on.
Photo provided.
Happiness Habits loves how many events are linked to February, including Winterlude, Black History Month, Winter Pride, the BougeBouge indoor 5K, the Gatineau Loppet, Somersault’s Winterman and Family Day.
Let’s celebrate it all… TOGETHER!
2023’s Happiness Habits launch event, “Getting Unstuck,” takes place Wednesday, February 1, starting at 7pm at Mill Street Brew Pub (555 Wellington St). Tickets on Eventbrite are free, but there are only 50, and they are going fast.
Happiness Habits 613 is a grassroots volunteer-led initiative that aims to increase happiness and build community in the Ottawa and Gatineau are. Info and events can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Eventbrite. Stephen Bierbrier is a community fitness advocate, runner, hiker, yogi, and cyclist. Tamara Robinson is a trail runner, registered holistic nutritionist, and fitness fashion influencer.
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