How to Make The Most of Our Summer

Woman wearing a straw hat and sun glasses on a beach

How to Make The Most of Our Summer

They say time flies when you are having fun and nothing can be more true then our precious summer months. Once September approaches, I always find myself saying, “the summer flew by”.

The key to getting the most out of our summer is by being more intentional with this time. Our short summers are precious, so to really maximize the time and benefit here are some of my simple rules:

‌

Start Each Day with a Powerful Intention:

I have often found in my life that when I start each day with an intention I get the most out of that day. Intentions in our mind are like channels on a TV, you can choose what you are dialed into and what you want to focus on. So when we set intentions to have a great day, to have fun, to be productive so I can play hard etc., we get to experience exactly that.

‌

End with Gratitude and Reflection:

Ending each day of your summer before you fall asleep with some daily gratitude will anchor in that good feeling and raise your vibration for your next day. Gratitude at the end of the night allows you to anchor in all the good that you have. It will allow you to tune into more of the magic that is all around this time of year.

‌

Summer Goals:

Set some goals for yourself. These can be small, like reading a new book, or big, like learning a new skill. Writing down your goals and checking them off as you go gives you a sense of accomplishment and keeps you motivated.

  • This summer me and my family have all decided to learn Italian. We are having so much fun on Duolingo spending minutes a day and challenging and motivating each other.

‌

Making the Most of Nature:

Nature is medicine and this time of year is extra special with everything in full bloom. Go for a walk in the park, hike a trail, or just sit outside and enjoy the fresh air. Nature is very calming and helps you feel peaceful. It also gives you a chance to think and reflect on what is important to you.

  • One of my daily intentions is taking a walk break at work. Productivity goes up, and I get to enjoy some of the awesome whether during my workday.

‌

Practice Mindfulness:

One of the reason time seems to fly is because we are not anchored in the present moment. This means paying attention to the present moment, taking time to pause. You can do this by meditating, being intentional with one thing at a time, or simply taking deep breaths and focusing on your breathing. Mindfulness helps reduce stress and increases joy.

‌

Make Time for People Who Fill Your Cup:

Surround yourself with positive people. Spend time with friends and family who make you feel good about yourself and learn to say no to those that don’t. Connection and love are a huge part of our inner peace.

‌

Lastly, Put Yourself FIRST.

Remember that it’s okay to take breaks, say no when needed, and have fun. Do things that make you happy, whether it’s playing a sport, painting, or just relaxing with a good movie. They key is to give yourself permission to do this, hang up your martyr card and take time to enjoy and have fun! Taking care of yourself gives your more capacity for everything and everyone else in your life.

By following these tips, you can make the most of your summer and get the emotional nourishment you need. Enjoy every moment!

With love,

Julie

The Positive Change Group

The Power of Your Words and How You Can Change Your Life

We have so many superpowers that can immediately change our lives, and yet we do not always pay enough attention.

One of the biggest superpowers we have is the power of our words. We underestimate how words affect our reality.  Working in the emotional health space I have seen how detrimental words can be in that we can carry emotional shackles from the time we are young based on what others have said to us. These emotional shackles can affect our confidence, our belief in ourselves and for many we can be holding ourselves back or keeping ourselves small all based on the effects that people’s words have had on us from the time we were a child.

The good news

As powerful as words can be to create trauma or negatively impact our abilities or trust in self, they also have the opposite effect by appropriately changing words to have a more positive impact.

The words we tell ourselves carry more power than what anyone else says to us. The emotional healing we can get from changing our inner dialogue to a more positive one can almost immediately create a change in our reality.

For example, if you are used to saying “This is so hard”, “It is hard for me to do this”, “Nothing comes easy in life”, then you are essentially programing “Hard” into your subconscious mind and as a result things do feel hard. I know for me this program was deeply coded in me from the time I was a kid. There came a point in my life where I hit rock bottom burnout and knew I needed to make a change. I tried to change my outer world with no luck because the power of change is within. Then I changed the dialogue in my own head and my biggest shift was replacing the word ‘Hard’ with ‘Ease’.

Incredible things started happening once I did this. Ease became my more familiar mantra. When things felt hard, I stopped and said no, this comes to me with ease. Scaling a business with ease, writing two books, raising teenagers etc. all shifted when I shifted the words within my head. This does not mean you will never face challenges however the challenges become growth opportunities, and steps to leap ahead rather than weigh you down or rock your confidence. Changing our words is about healthy living.  It is important to teach our kids this concept so that they understand the power within to create an incredible life. Words hold energy and being mindful of what we tell ourselves is the most self-loving and empowering tool we have.

Dr. Masaru Emoto’s work implies that our intentions and words carry weight and influences the world around us. His work suggests a stewardship of language and thought, proposing that the quality of our interactions could literally reshape the physical world. For example, this image shows a frozen water crystals under a microscope. One influenced by the words “I Can’t Do It” the other with “I Can Do It”.

Power Word Exercise: 💚

Take a piece of paper and outline 3 hearts on your paper.

In each one of the hearts write down your 3 power words you are embodying for the rest of this year.

Steps:

  • Close your eyes and connect with your breath. Breath in for 4 counts hold for 2, breath out for 6. Repeat this 4-6 times until you feel yourself calm and centre.
  • Let the breath flow with ease and ask yourself for your 3 power words. Let your heart speak to you and don’t question what comes.
  • Write these 3 words down in your hearts, infuse them with love energy.
  • One by one close your eyes and feel the energy of each word in your body.
  • Use your paper as a visual anchor so you can look at your power words each day. This will help to code your subconscious mind.

My 3 power words this year are:

  1. Ease
  2. Vibrance
  3. Leap

Other great words that I have gotten from my clients that you can use for inspiration:

  • Freedom
  • Movement
  • Healthy
  • Unstoppable
  • Capable
  • Confident
  • Fun
  • Enjoy
  • Peace
  • Ease
  • Connection
  • Me First
  • Priority
  • Resilient
  • Belief
  • Faith

Words carry energy, everything is energy, hence the power of our words have the power to change things we experience in our lives.

by Julie Cass

The positive Change Group

SELF CARE HABITS that will make you love yourself more!

SELF CARE HABITS that will make you love yourself more!

Do you feel busy and overwhelmed by lack of time. This is true for so many professional women, and the problem is we tend to sacrifice our own wellbeing when we feel pressed for time. However this leads to burnout and overwhelm which creates the negative downward cycle of spinning our wheels and leaching our joy.

We need to change in order for it to change.

Are you ready to boost your energy and your outlook on life?

When you incorporate self care habits it changes your energy and vibration which changes your life. Time can be our biggest excuse but it is not a matter of time in is what you are prioritizing and it is time to start prioritizing YOU!

Before you know it, this will feel like a normal part of your everyday routines. Let’s take a look at self care habits and begin with adding a little luxury to your life:

Add Luxury to Your Life

Luxuries can be small little thing that makes you feel so much joy. Making your favourite tea, taking a bubble bath, or having a pedicure are great examples of little luxuries. Some of my favourite luxuries don’t cost a dime; like taking a walk in a park, hiking on trails, or simply enjoying a picnic outdoors can be a luxurious and rejuvenating experience that won’t break the bank.

Movement

One thing I have learned over my years is that our bodies are meant to move. Finding ways to move your body that feel enjoyable and fulfilling is an important aspect of caring for yourself. If you don’t have time for a work out, simply pick up the pace on routine walks and stairs. You can take 2 trips to unpack the car instead of one and get those extra ‘steps’ into your day.

Body movement offers you better emotional health. The more you do it, the better you will feel.

Declutter

Decluttering your space can have numerous benefits for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It’s a simple yet powerful way to improve the overall quality of your life and create a space that supports calm. Any underlying stress that you may be feeling might originate from clutter.

To start pick one room to start. Maybe your office or your bedroom. Notice how the extra space makes you feel. Clarity in your space connects to clarity in your mind which sparks creativity.

Inner Dialogue

One of the healthiest and most self-loving things you can do is upgrade the internal dialogue from inner-critic to inner-cheerleader.

To stop negative self talk we must first become aware when we are doing it. As soon as you realize you have slipped into negative thinking, stop it in its tracks! To do this don’t let the thought finish, see a stop sign in front of you or a big X that blocks the thought. Then replace that thought with a positive, self promoting thought. The more you do this the more you reprogram your subconscious mind until it begin to believe this new dialogue.

Yes, your mind will begin another round of negative self-talk, however every time you become aware and immediately interrupt them, it gets easier and easier, less and less.

When you notice negative self-talk, you can challenge yourself by asking “Is this true?” and “Would I say this to a friend?” Chances are the harshness that you speak to yourself would not come close to what you would say to a friend. This realization not only reframes your thoughts more positively, it also helps you to practice self-compassion.

Replace negative thinking with positive affirmations that you know are true about yourself.

Over time, your brain can rewire itself to more positive self-talk. This will be the biggest and most self-loving thing you can do because you will notice your life around you begins to change as you change your internal dialogue. This is your POWER!

Julie Cass

The Positive Change Group

Try a Self-Care Retreat.

Hygge-Inspired Holiday Wellness

Cozy ambiance with decorated Christmas tree in front of a wood fireplace.

Hygge-Inspired Holiday Wellness

Hygge is a Danish concept that encompasses coziness, comfort, and well-being. It encompasses holiday wellness. You can explore how to incorporate hygge principles into the holiday season for a more mindful and relaxing December.

Here are a few ideas to help you set the holiday stage.

  1. Embracing Cozy Rituals: Create cozy holiday rituals like hot cocoa by the fire, reading by candlelight, or warm blankets for a sense of comfort and relaxation.
    • In our home we have a few holiday favorite movies where we make popcorn, light a fire and cozy up together with blankets.
    • Some of our favourites: The holiday, Love Actually, Hallmark Cheese (okay, that is for me mostly), The Noel Diary.
  1. Mindful Gift-Giving: Choose thoughtful, meaningful gifts that focus on experiences, quality, and personal connections rather than consumerism.
    • This year we chose to take the kids our for a special night rather than a gift. We are still doing stockings, but our emotional cups are all filled with more quality connection. So we are giving the gift of time and connection.
  2. Stress Reduction Techniques: Remember stress management during the holiday season. You can choose practices such as mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga.
    • Some of my Favorite Breath Techniques are the following to create an instant shift:
  1. Healthy Holiday Recipes: Share recipes for nourishing, comforting, and wholesome holiday dishes that prioritize both taste and well-being.
  2. Digital Detox: Disconnect from screens and social media to foster genuine connections with loved ones during the holidays.
    • In or house we have sacred times that are tech free: Mealtimes are tech-free, before bed is tech free (other than using your device for a meditation 😊)
  3. Gratitude and Reflection: Reflect on the year, express gratitude, and set positive intentions for the upcoming one.
    • Gratitude Practice: For 30 days write down 3 things you are feeling appreciation for, big or small, you will be amazed at the energy shift you feel in your body.
  4. Sustainable Celebrations: Have an eco-friendly holiday season, including reducing waste, recycling, and supporting sustainable brands.

We could all use a little extra “Hygge” this holiday season. Just remember how powerful you are when you set a clear intention you create with so much ease. Set and intention for “Hygge” and you will feel the magic around you.

From our Team at the Positive Change we wish you a:

Happy, Healthy and Hygge Holiday Season.

With Love,

Julie, Susan and Team.

The Positive Change Group

Are you Ready to Let Go?

Are you Ready to Let Go?

 

The willingness to let go this fall is a beautiful reminder of the natural rhythms that happen within the change of season. Have you noticed that fall is a time of letting go? We see the trees literally letting go of their leaves, and when we do this from an emotional healing place, it gives us space to let in the new.

Before it gives us space to let in the new, it also gives us clarity; clarity of what we want. Clarity of what our new program can be. On more dreams, bigger dreams, and aspirations.

When we are bogged down with limiting beliefs, whether that’s insecurities, feelings of not being good enough, it would do us good to let go of the things that don’t serve us. Are you repeating a program from the time you were a child that has held you in darkness and not allowed you to shine your light?

What are you willing to and permitting to release and let go to create clarity; to empty your tank? Let’s look right now at all the things that you can let go of.

Old Habits:

October can be a great time to reflect on unhealthy or unproductive habits and consider letting go of them to make room for personal growth.

Grudges and Resentments:

Just as trees shed their leaves to start anew, individuals can release grudges and resentments that may be holding them back from moving forward in their relationships and personal well-being.

Stress and Anxiety:

Autumn can be a time to embrace tranquility and reduce stress. Letting go of excessive worry or anxiety can help create mental space for a sense of calm.

Material Possessions:

As you witness nature simplifying itself, you might consider decluttering your own life by letting go of material possessions you no longer need.

Negative Self-Talk:

Shedding self-doubt and negative self-talk can be a powerful way to promote mental and emotional growth.

Expectations:

Release unrealistic expectations you may have placed on yourself or others, allowing for more authentic and less stressful relationships and experiences.

Regrets:

Just as the falling leaves can symbolize the shedding of regrets, it’s a good time to reflect on past mistakes, learn from them, and let go of any lingering regrets that may be hindering personal growth.

Past Attachments:

Whether it’s relationships, memories, or experiences that no longer serve you, October can be a time to release attachments to the past and embrace the present moment.

Fears:

Face your fears and consider letting go of irrational or limiting fears that may be holding you back from pursuing your goals and dreams.

Expectations of Perfection:

Let go of the need to be perfect in every aspect of your life. Instead, embrace imperfection as a natural part of the human experience.

When we link the idea of letting go with hypnosis, we achieve an emotional detox. The healing power is really in just releasing and letting go so that the magic of transformation can happen.

Tips on how we let go when we notice the leaves falling from the trees.

  1. Become consciously aware of the thoughts in your mind that are creating disharmony, meaning emotional discomfort. You can do this by questioning your emotions and asking, “What is my emotion connected to?” “What thoughts or programs am I telling myself?” Once we can pinpoint the thought then we can simply do a tapping exercise to let that go.
  2. Do a brain dump. Write in your journal all the negative things you’re ready to let go of. Just do a brain dump on a journal very cathartically to let it out. You can burn that page, ceremoniously if you like. The key is to just let go of what no longer serves while sitting in presence.

The idea of letting go during October when the trees shed their leaves can be a metaphorical reflection on personal growth, change, and renewal.

By Julie Cass

The Positive Change Group

 

Work Life Balance – Why it is impossible to achieve unless we internally shift.

Work Life Balance

Why it is impossible to achieve unless we internally shift.

 

Work-life balance is something that millions of people try an achieve every year with very little success often leading to burnout and overwhelm.  What exactly does work life balance mean and why has this become one of the most sought-after ideals of our modern-day world?

Work-life balance is often referred to as balancing the time we spend at work with time spent in our personal lives including time with loved ones, social time and selfcare.  The problem with this is we may never actually get a balance between the two, however what is important is how you feel.  The truth is it is nearly impossible to achieve balance all the time because there will be time-sensitive deadlines or projects that come up with work and throw the balance off.

So how do we successfully manage this delicate equilibrium between the demands of work and personal life?

Rather than waiting for your external world to give you the balance, they key is understanding that it is an internal job to achieve this balance. So much of this has to do with our perspective on things. What is the story we are telling ourselves and where is your mind right now?  Many times, we feel out of balance because our mind and body are disconnected.

Let me explain.

1. Upgrading the ‘story’ we tell ourselves

A mindful approach to your thoughts will help you achieve inner peace and balance. Many times, our inner story is around telling ourselves how hard something is or complaining about the task at hand or the person we need to deal with. A self loving or balanced approach to creating inner peace must first come from changing inner dialogue to more up-lifting and encouraging statements such as:

“I got this.”

“I am strong, and I can handle this.”

“This project might be demanding but I can do it and I am giving myself the necessary breaks I need to recharge.”

“This might feel like a challenge right now, but the answer is always there, and I will figure it out with ease and grace.”

“Right now, I am going to solely focus on work and then tonight when I am home, I will enjoy a wonderful meal with my family.”

If you want to feel better the most effective way is to change your internal story. You will feel better when you change what you tell yourself!

2. Connecting Your Mind and Body – Being Present

Being present is an essential aspect of attaining work-life balance. It means fully engaging and immersing oneself in the present moment, whether at work or in personal life. When you are present, you can give your undivided attention to the task at hand, improving productivity and efficiency. Being present also enables you to connect with others on a deeper level, fostering stronger relationships and social support networks.

In the context of work, being present means focusing on the task at hand, minimizing distractions, and practicing mindfulness. It involves being fully engaged in work-related activities and avoiding multitasking, which can lead to decreased productivity and increased stress.  Multitasking is like fracturing your energy trying to divide yourself in pieces leaving you feeling depleted. With singular focus, you can be more present and hence more productive and achieve better outcomes. Ultimately, you will feel better and have a bigger sense of accomplishment allowing you to leave work at work.

Conversely, being present in personal life entails dedicating quality time to loved ones, pursuing hobbies and interests, and taking care of yourself physically and emotionally. It involves setting aside work-related thoughts and concerns and being fully present with family and friends. Set your device aside and engage in activities that promote relaxation and rejuvenation. Being present in personal life helps you recharge your batteries and find fulfillment outside of work. This meditation is helpful in becoming aware of the present moment.

Work-life balance is primarily an internal working that necessitates self-reflection, setting priorities, and making conscious choices. Being present in both work and personal life is crucial for achieving a good balance. By cultivating mindfulness and being fully engaged in the present moment, you can enhance your overall well-being, improve productivity, and foster meaningful connections in all aspects of your life.

by Julie Cass

The Positive Change Group

 

Yogi Tea

Employee Wellness

Yogi Tea Recipe

Here’s a cozy hot tea that makes the whole house smell fabulous.

The simple pleasures is where it’s at in life. With the winter months and the colder weather here, simple pleasures like a spicy warm homemade cup of delightful tea can help shift our energy and feel a sense of gratitude.

This recipe brings me so much joy, not only in making it but also sharing it with friends. I often have a pot of this simmering on the stove during the colder months.

It’s the perfect accompaniment on the sofa, by the fire, or under a warm cozy blanket. The delightful taste of the combined spices is beautiful. It is definitely one for the taste buds and it warms the body and soul with every nurturing sip of this cup of love.

Make it for friends and the whole family to enjoy.

Hope you love this as much as we do!

You can substitute any milk alternative of your choice. i.e. Oat Milk, Almond Milk, etc.

*Here is the original Yogi Bhajan recipe:

Measurements can vary according to your taste. Be careful not to put in too many cloves or cinnamon sticks.

To 3 litres of boiling water add:

  • 20 whole cloves, see them dance!
  • 20 whole green cardamom pods (you can open them up)
  • 20 whole black peppercorns
  • 5 sticks of cinnamon

Continue boiling for 15 – 20 minutes, then add:

  • 1/4 teaspoon of any black tea. After one or two minutes add:
  • 1/2 cup cold milk per cup of remaining liquid

When it returns to the boiling point, remove immediately from heat. (Watch closely so it doesn’t boil over.) Strain and serve with honey to taste, if desired.

The black pepper is a blood purifier, the cardamom is for the colon, the cloves for the nervous system, and the cinnamon for the bones. The milk aids in the easy assimilation of the spices and avoids irritation to the colon. The black tea acts as an alloy for all the ingredients, achieving a new chemical structure which makes the tea a healthy as well as delicious drink.

Slices of fresh ginger root may also be included, especially when you are suffering from a cold, recovering from the flu, or you just want extra energy.

*This recipe is from the Book; Kundalini Yoga: The Flow of Eternal Power. It was printed with permission from Copyright 1969 Yogi Bhajan.

with Love,

Julie

 

How Corporate Wellness Boosts Profits

business employees stretch break

What defines the success of your business? Is it profits, customer satisfaction, or impact on the community? The more you break it down, the more you realize all these factors have one thing in common. You can’t define your success without a happy workforce to make it happen.

Leave your workstation, and let’s go for a little retreat. It’s time to show you why corporate wellness is more important than you think!

What is Corporate Wellness?

To understand the benefits of a corporate wellness strategy, we must understand what it entails. Corporate Wellness is any activity or policy within the workplace that improves the health & wellness of employees. 

An effective wellness policy must encourage workers to adopt healthy habits, encourage teamwork and increase productivity without leading to burnout.

Why does corporate wellness matter?

Employees spend the majority of their lives at work. With more employees working from home than ever before, the work-life balance has shifted negatively towards a busier and more stressful lifestyle. 

High levels of inflation have also put a damper on our ability to reap the rewards of our hard work, while supply chains have crippled, making some sales targets hard to reach. This is the reality of many businesses today, but there are ways to help our treasured staff rise above the issues at hand.

Here are the Facts

  • For every dollar spent on wellness programs, workers spend less time absent and less money on healthcare. 1
  • Long working hours leads to an increased risk of heart disease 2
  • Stressed workers cost the US over 300 billion dollars every year 3

How to make your workplace fit for work?

An effective corporate wellness program can make a huge difference in your staff’s productivity and overall wellbeing. You may also notice a positive return on your investment as workers spend less time sick, less time exhausted and more time creating quality products and services.

Focus on Movement

One of the most popular corporate wellness techniques is to create an environment focused on the fitness of your staff. Establishing a gym at the office or incentivizing staff with a free gym membership may encourage them to stay on top of their game and keep healthy without breaking their pocket. Allow employees 15 minutes per day to take a walk as a health initiative.

Corporate entities may also offer cash incentives to employees that meet their personal fitness goals. This gives each worker a motivational boost, knowing that their company cares about their own wellness beyond the workplace.

Clear the Air

Smoking is one of the most lethal habits in workplace culture. Workers who smoke are more likely to spend more on health-related expenses and spend less time on the job. Heavy smokers may also have a lower life expectancy, which increases the turnover rate within the workforce in the worst way.

Smoke Cessation corporate wellness programs aim to reduce the number of employees who smoke through lifestyle coaching, special incentives for quitting, and medical support to keep them away from cigarettes. 

This simple strategy also boosts the public perception of your company as one that focuses on a healthy and happy workforce.

Team Sports

No need to wait for the next Olympics. You can host your own series of games from the comfort of your workplace. When workers are encouraged to take part in corporate wellness activities outside of the usual workflow, they may work better as a team, get a better understanding of their strengths and weaknesses and show more initiative.

This can be as simple as a paper toss challenge or complex as a multi-level tournament for a cash prize. Teamwork makes the dream work, after all.

Retreats

It’s easy to lose focus on what’s important when we’re always on the grind. One of the most effective corporate wellness programs is a timely company-sponsored retreat. Releasing your workforce from the usual hustle and bustle for a week and experiencing something new together can do wonders for staff morale. 

A well-planned retreat may also encourage new idea development, increasing the company’s offerings and boosting profits in the future.

Encourage Breaks

A burnt-out staff is never a good thing. It’s important to create an environment where workers feel comfortable moving at a pace that yields the best results. An effective corporate wellness program should encourage staff to take a breather every now and then, without worrying about the pause in productivity affecting their performance review. 

Some large-scale companies offer nap rooms where workers can take a moment to decompress before continuing with the day’s activities. Google famously has sleep pods across the campus for this very same reason.

Lunch Luxuries

Food is one of the greatest motivators in the world. A healthy, tasty, and filling lunch program can significantly reduce stress, improve the diet and incentivize the workplace.

Corporate wellness programs should focus on the dietary needs of their workers and encourage a healthier and happier lifestyle. Many tech companies offer free snacks, beverages, and even meals at any given time of the day. Some companies may even deliver healthy snacks directly to your office.

Wellness Works

It’s easy to build a corporate wellness program within your workplace. Work within your budget and start building today for a better, happier & healthier workplace tomorrow.