Here it comes

As a kid, it was hard saving up the dough for your folks' anniversary gift, but the Bradys didn’t let that keep ‘em down. Third place in the talent show came with no money, but their performance of It’s a Sunshine Day was priceless 😎 

Have you ever felt bad for staying indoors on a sunny day? The phenomenon is known as “sunshine guilt”, and it’s quite common, so don’t get too down on yourself! Here are some ways to understand and manage the feeling. 

Or just hang with Katrina ;)

(Love nostalgia? Play today’s trivia below for a chance to win a $25 Tim Hortons eGift Card!)

1000TH ISSUE GIVEAWAY

Congratulations to Erica Maier, the winner of the $1000 Amazon eGift card. Thanks again to everyone who voted! 🙏😎

IN THE NEWS

Canada ends retaliatory tariffs

According to Oxford Economics, nearly all of Canada’s retaliatory tariffs against the United States have been suspended, as Ottawa effectively stands down against President Donald Trump and proceeds with caution towards warmer relations.

The government imposed 25% tariffs on $60 billion worth of American imports in March, followed by a retaliatory regime specifically to President Trump’s auto tariffs.

However, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government announced a six month exemption for various imports, which include, “products used in Canadian manufacturing, processing and food and beverage packaging, and for items related to health care, public safety and national security.” Carney previously also announced various workarounds to the retaliatory tariffs on automobiles, essentially providing full exemptions for American autos like Ford and G.M.

“It’s a very strategic approach from a new prime minister to really say, ‘We’re not going to have a retaliation,’” Tony Stillo, Oxford’s director of Canada economics, said in an interview. “It’s a strategic play on the government’s part to not damage the Canadian economy.”

The United States agreed on the framework for trade deals with both the United Kingdom and China last week, suggesting Canada could be on deck for negotiations.

REAL ESTATE

Sales fall nearly 10% nationally

Any hope for a spring housing rally got a major wake-up call yesterday, with the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) revealing sales were down 9.8% nationally in April compared to the same month last year.

CREA noted the market appears to be in the same condition today as it was in 2022 and most of 2023, with buyers sidelined by inflation and elevated interest rates. This time, uncertainty due to tariffs and nervousness that they’ll cause an economic downturn are keeping would-be buyers away.

“Given the increasing potential for a rough economic patch ahead, the risk going forward will be if an average number of people trying to sell their homes turns into a large number of people who have to sell their homes, and that’s something we have not seen in decades,” said CREA senior economist Shaun Cathcart in a news release.

Some signs are suggesting this trend may be underway already. 183,000 properties were listed at the end of April, up 14.3% compared to the year before. While this number remains under the long-term average of 201,000, economists will be keeping a close eye on that rolling average as owners continue to list their homes and buyers continue to wait them out.

GOVERNMENT

Carney’s middle-class tax cut

In a symbolic and ceremonial gesture to indicate his seriousness about getting a tax cut done before Canada Day, Prime Minister Mark Carney signed an order to prioritize the initiative the other day, surrounded by his just-sworn-in Cabinet.

“We are acting today on that, so that by July 1, as promised, that middle-class tax cut—that will reduce taxes for the 22 million Canadians who pay federal income taxes—that tax cut will take into effect,” Carney said, before signing the document.

The tax cut is intended to lower the lowest marginal rate by 1%, ensuring all working Canadians get relief from the policy.

Later that day, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne confirmed that Carney’s government has a “series of economic moves” it plans to make, which will be outlined later this month.

“What we have today is the middle-class tax cut. That’s step one,” Champagne said.

“Step two, you’re going to have a Throne Speech. We will outline the Canadian government priorities, and there will be a fall economic statement to follow,” he said, revealing the government doesn’t intend to table a budget this spring.

FEASTING FRIDAYS

Staying sharper for longer with flavonoids

A study published earlier this year in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found certain foods can be effective in assisting graceful aging and maintaining a clear and sharp mind.

"The goal of medical research is not just to help people live longer but to ensure they stay healthy for as long as possible," Dr Nicola Bondonno, an adjunct lecturer at Edith Cowan University, shared in a statement. "We know from previous research that people who have a higher flavonoid intake tend to live longer, and they are also less likely to get any of the major chronic diseases such as dementia, diabetes, or heart disease."

So what are flavonoids? A separate study published in 2016 defined them as "a group of natural substances…found in fruits, vegetables, grains, bark, roots, stems, flowers, tea, and wine.”

“Currently, there are about 6,000 flavonoids that contribute to the colourful pigments of fruits, herbs, vegetables, and medicinal plants," the study said.

These naturally occurring magic potions have been found to help with reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, maintaining skeletal muscle mass, nurturing blood vessel health, preventing frailty, and boosting cognitive function.

WORKING

Long hours can alter brain structure

According to a study recently published in Occupational & Environmental Medicine, working excessively long days regularly can cause “neuroadaptive” changes in the brain, restructuring areas responsible for working memory, emotional regulation, and broader cognitive function.

The researchers recruited 110 participants from the Gachon Regional Occupational Cohort Study, 28% of whom worked excessive hours, which is defined as upwards of 52 hours per week. The rest worked regular hours.

After assessing each participant with an MRI, the researchers found that those who worked 52 or more hours per week had considerable structural changes visible in the regions of their brains associated with executive function and emotional regulation. The vast majority of the overworked participants were clinicians.

"While the results should be interpreted cautiously due to the exploratory nature of this pilot study, they represent a meaningful first step in understanding the relationship between overwork and brain health,” wrote the researchers.

"The observed changes in brain volume may provide a biological basis for the cognitive and emotional challenges often reported in overworked individuals. Future longitudinal and multi-modal neuroimaging studies are warranted to confirm these findings and elucidate the underlying mechanisms."

PSYCHOLOGY

Frailty can be a self-fulfilling prophecy

Was there a point in your 30s or 40s when you started to find yourself reacting to some sort of physical or mental exercise by thinking, “man, I’m gettin’ old”?

It turns out even having a negative attitude towards aging can act as a self-fulfilling prophecy, according to a study on frailty published in BMC Public Health.

"Many people assume frailty is something that happens when we get much older," said lead author Tom Brennan, a Ph.D. candidate at Flinders University's Caring Futures Institute, "but our research shows the psychological and behavioural warning signs can emerge decades earlier, in people in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. For example, feeling older than you are might sound like a throwaway comment, but it turns out it can be a sign that something's not quite right.”

"With the impact frailty has on our health care system, alongside our growing aging population, it's important we investigate ways to slow its progression."

Brennan and his team surveyed and analyzed 321 Australian adults who were at least 40 years old, with 60% of them considered “pre-frail,” 35% non-frail, and 5% frail.

Pre-frail participants were the most likely to report feelings of loneliness and a negative attitude toward aging, seemingly giving in to the thing they so opposed and allowing it to progress, whereas non-frail participants reported each considerably less.

MUSIC

Cyndi Lauper says she owes Bad Company for her career

Both Cyndi Lauper and Bad Company will enter the Rock ‘N Roll Hall of Fame later this year, and for Cyndi, it’s a perfect bookend to a career that started along the same lines.

It turns out the Queen of Queens owes a little thank you to Bad Company for getting her career started.

“My first gig as a lead singer, not a background singer, was singing one of their songs,” she said in a recent interview with Rolling Stone. “I always wanted to be a background singer, like Merry Clayton. I just loved Merry Clayton growing up.

“I started to feel like background singers had more freedom than lead singers because you could get to really sing high. It was cool in the background. I got the job to be the lead singer because the manager said, ‘Look, you see that girl in the back who can’t dance, but sings really good? Just make her the lead singer.’”

So where does Bad Company fit in here?

“I sang a Free song and a Bad Company song… It was at the Boardy Barn in front of 5,000 nickel beer-drinking folks in the Hamptons. I remember being terrified. But as soon as I started swinging that tambourine to the rhythm and singing, that was it. I stepped off the platform, and I was the lead singer.”

STAKE TRIVIA

Silver screen, golden era

Normally we’re dialed in to ’70s and ’80s pop culture, but today we’re giving you a different kind of blast from the past! 😏 

It’s National Classic Movie Day, so we’ll be quizzing you on some of the greatest films from prior to 1960. Put on your Turner Classic Movies hat and get ready for today’s trivia! Complete the game and earn a shot at a $25 Tim Hortons eGift Card ;)

Winner will be announced on Monday afternoon—keep an eye on your inbox!*

Have a great Victoria Day long weekend Staker!
We’re off on Monday - see you back in the Inbox on Tuesday ☺️

Today’s issue written by Michael Cowan, Joey Cowan, and Maureen Norman.


*SEE FULL STAKE TRIVIA CONTEST RULES HERE.