Category Archives: Positivity

How To Feng Shui Your Home

Have you ever walked into a space and been overwhelmed with a sense of calm, and the sense that the space just… worked? That’s the power of feng shui! With a few easy steps, you can channel good fortune and good energy into your home. Here are a few recommendations for your living areas: feng shui

Natural Flow:You want to create a space that enables energy to flow freely throughout the room. To create this sense of ease and fluidity, imagine if a stream of water were to be running throughout the space. Would it encounter many obstacles, or would it be able to carve an easy path?

Let It Shine: You want to enable as much light as possible – especially natural light! Attempt to brighten dull or dark areas of the room with mirrors and clear, bright lighting. Try to avoid fluorescent or yellow tinged, unnatural lighting. Halogen bulbs are a great way to mimic natural light.

Plants: For a healthy chi it’s important to incorporate as many plants as you can into your living space. This is an integral principle when it comes to energy flow.

Close Off: In order to maintain energy balance, ensure that doors to other rooms are closed off.

Pristine Presence: Arguably the cardinal rule of having good feng shui is being clutter free. Have very clear organization and do your best to have a knick-knack free living space.  This creates a better energy and also appears to be more inviting.

Furniture: Though you may not think about this when purchasing your furniture, its composition means a lot in terms of how it makes you feel. For example, chairs and couches with high backs and sides give a feeling of safety and protection. Additionally, placement is key. Never have a chair or couch with its back to the door. Always have your seating facing the door!

Red: Work the color red into your living spaces to help channel wealth and prosperity.

Last but not least, remember that a happy home is always where there is harmony between people. With these words in mind, we encourage you to adopt a few of these wellness-inducing measures into your home! Are you looking to channel your energy and find inner calm? Consider a QRay bracelet! Learn more about the benefits of QRay.

10 Ways to Practice Gratitude

 It feels good to be grateful. Those who regularly practice gratitude are in tune with what they are thankful for and what makes them happy. This recognition contributes greatly in experiencing positive emotions, compassion and even general kindness. If you’re looking to incorporate some gratitude in your life, here are 10 great practices:

Gratitude

  1. Open Your Eyes

Often it is the things around you everyday that you are subconsciously most grateful for. Caring friends, doting family members, and your unconditionally loving pet. Even the simple things such as having a roof over your head and enough food to eat at dinner sometimes escape your thanks. When you open your eyes tomorrow morning, see every blessing in your life for what it is. As you go about your day, mentally catalogue all of the things you may actually take for granted.

 

  1. Remind Yourself

Throughout the day it’s easy to become discouraged with the stress of work and other everyday things that may demotivate or antagonize you. Don’t let these things tear down your gratitude. Place motivational and positive quotes around your home and workspace. Set your phone background as a favourite quote that reminds you why you’re grateful. All of these simple things will help promote your gratitude.

 

  1. Document Your Day

An effective way to express gratitude is to journal for a few minutes everyday. There doesn’t need to be a specific or explicit narrative – just write! Whether you’re thankful for something incredible that happened or something as simple as generally having a good day. This practice will help you to express your gratitude and appreciation.

 

  1. Embrace Nature

One of the most humbling things you can do as a human being is allow yourself to get lost in nature. Realize how small you are amongst the vast expanse of trees, mountains and oceans. First and foremost, it’s important to both enjoy and embrace nature. Get up early to watch the sunrise, eat lunch in the park, or spend your Saturday hiking and floating in the ocean.

 

  1. Express Yourself

So often our feelings and intentions are never expressed. Kind words, compliments and praise are thought about our peers, but not shared with them. A great way to express gratitude is by actually expressing gratitude. Make sure to message your loved ones or visit them and let them know how much you appreciate them. If someone makes your day, makes you feel good, or if you are just thinking of him or her – let them know! Not only will this make them feel fantastic, but it will also make you feel good knowing you’ve brightened their day.

 

  1. Eliminate the Negative

How many of your conversations are spurred by complaining or gossip? Probably more than you’d like to admit. Keep the positivity flowing by focusing on positive, complimentary and inherently good things. Remain conscious of the words coming out of your mouth and how they will likely be perceived. Do your best to remain uplifting and constructive!

 

  1. Discover Meditation

Being grateful can be difficult when we are inundated with information coming from our smartphones, Facebook, TV, and millions of other information sources we’re on all day. To help you disconnect from the constant stream and successfully quiet your mind, try practicing meditation. Find a few moments a day to sit still, gently close your eyes, take a few deep breaths and turn your focus inward. How are you feeling, how can you find a calm and how can you better your day and your life.

 

  1. The Silver Lining

For every challenge you face, think of its silver lining. What did you learn from this challenge? How did this tribulation help shape you in some way? Every negative has a positive and it’s important to always acknowledge the positives in any situation. Even the most difficult hardships help to shape and serve you!

 

  1. The Power of ‘Thank You’

In going about your busy way it’s easy to forget all of the little things people may do for you. The barista making your coffee, the businessman who held the door or the little girl who hands you your dropped $5 bill as your rush off to work. Take that split second to offer that kind stranger a smile and a ‘thank you’. Think of how good it feels to receive thanks for the little things you do and pay it forward. Giving back feels good!

10. Embrace Your Humanity

While all of these guidelines are certainly helpful in practicing gratitude, they are just that – guidelines. Practicing gratitude is about personal thanks and improving your life and your happiness. Missing a day journaling or complaining to one of your friends does not set you back. We are all human and it’s okay to make mistakes! As Confucius once said, “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.”

 

How do you express gratitude? We’d love to hear about it! Share your words of wisdom with us on our Facebook page. If you’re looking to add to your personal wellness, discover the power of a QRay bracelet today!

6 Must-Read Books For A Healthy Mind

Reading helps to expand your mind and escape into a different realm for a period of time. Whether it’s your favourite work of fiction or a biography of someone you admire, reading is such a relaxing activity. Reading can also educate you and open your mind to new concepts that can help to transform your life. In pursuit of a healthy mind, here are 6 books that we highly recommend.

6 Must-Read Books For A Healthy Mind

  1. Wherever You Go, There You Are – Jon Kabat-Zinn

Wherever You Go, There You Are serves as a simple guide for meditation and cultivating mindfulness. This book is useful for those not only new to meditation, but those who have been lifelong practitioners as well. Help to reclaim the fullness of your moments and learn to appreciate the little things once again.

 

  1. Creativity: Unleashing the Forces Within – Osho

This book essentially serves as a manual for those seeking to infuse more creativity and whimsy back into their lives. It is a sort of guidebook for ‘thinking outside the box’ and applying flexibility to all areas of your life.

 

  1. The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are – Brené Brown

We’re constantly being bombarded with images from the media telling us how to look, what to buy and what is acceptable. This book will help you to cultivate a strong sense of self and learn to tune out the personally diminishing messages that the media spews.

 

  1. The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment – Eckhart Tolle

This powerful book has sold over 2 millioncopies and has been translated into more than 30 languages. In Tolle’s book you’ll learn to combat your mind and effectively work towards enlightenment.

 

  1. Buddha’s Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom – Rick Hanson

Buddha’s brain discusses the notion that great thinkers such as Buddha, Moses and Jesus were all born with brains like everyone else’s. How did these great men leverage their brainpower to achieve such great feats and change history? The book combines neuroscience and age-old insights to help you condition your brain for greater happiness, love and even wisdom

 

  1. In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto – Michael Pollan

Pollan’s ‘manifesto’ looks at the trend of eating to lose weight and consuming as few calories as possible, and instead promotes eating to be healthy and also enjoy food. He teaches us to choose food that will enrich our lives and teach us what it actually means to be healthy.

 

What books have helped you reach enlightenment and find a sense of personal wellness? We’d love for you to share them with us! Let us know on our Facebook page.

How To Take Your Yoga Outdoors

The birds are chirping, the sun is shining and the snow has melted, so why keep your yoga practice indoors? Yoga is about embracing and becoming one with nature. Take a look at some of our advice on how to take your yoga outdoors!

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  1. Lose the mat!

Yoga mats can be difficult to place outdoors on uneven surfaces. Opt for a towel so that it can actually hug the surface of the earth, thereby giving you a better surface to practice on. Additionally, if your towel gets dirty wherever you’re practicing, you can simply toss it in the wash afterwards!

  1. Ditch the iPod

As mentioned, yoga is not just about connecting with yourself, but also connecting with nature. Don’t dilute the experience by tuning out nature. Embrace your environment, whether it is a babbling brook or the wind whistling through the branches.

  1. Bring a Sweatshirt

Not just for chilly weather! We suggest that in the final phase of your practice, Savasana, to place a sleeve of the sweatshirt over your eyes to block out the sunlight. This will help you to concentrate on centering yourself and really concentrate on your breathing.

  1. Practice Posture

One great thing about practicing outdoors is the unevenness of the ground. This provides a fantastic platform to practice your stability. The uneven surface, as opposed to a perfectly flat hardwood floor, will challenge your balance and give you a better workout.

  1. Skip the Vinyasa

While the uneven surface of outdoors is fantastic, the Vinyasa can be incredibly hard on your wrists. Opt for your other favorite poses and flows, but save the Vinyasa for an indoor session!

What’s your favorite way to take your yoga outdoors? Share it with us in the comments or on our Facebook page!

5 Surefire Habits To a Good Morning

Not a morning person? Never fear! We’ve compiled 5 surefire ‘good morning’ habits to work into your everyday routine!

 

1)    Start your day with a hot shower

Cleanse your body from the day before and jolt yourself awake with some warm water and suds! There’s no better way to shake the morning blues!

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2)    Exercise!

Hitting snooze one too many times? Pump your body with endorphins to ensure you’re starting your day off on the right foot! At least fit in a few basic stretches!

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3)     Music

Nothing makes you jump out of bed quicker than your favourite upbeat jam! While you’re doing your morning routine, make sure it’s to an awesome soundtrack.

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4)    Hydrate yourself

A little H2O does the body good! It’s important to stay hydrated, so start your morning off with a cold glass of water. Additionally, swap your morning coffee for a cup of tea.

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5)    Smile!

It’s only going to be a great day if you let it, so start your day off with a dose of positivity and just smile!

I love mornings!

What do you do to start your morning off on the right foot? Share with us on Facebook!

10 Inspiring Quotes to Uplift You

 

  1. “I am not what I have done, I am what I have overcome.”

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  1. “It’s not who you think you are that holds you back, it’s who you think you’re not.”

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  1. “Do something today that your future self will thank you for.”

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  1. “Expect nothing and appreciate everything.”

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  1. Your wings already exist, all you have to do is fly.” 65841d7ee520295544f9138b00818599
  1. “Life is like a cup of tea… it’s all about how you make it…”

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  1. “Do one thing every day that scares you.”

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  1. “Never let your memories be greater than your dreams.”

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  1. “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” – Albert Einstein

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10.  “Run free and fearless into the future.”

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 Do you have any other favorite quotes that inspire you? Share them with us on Facebook!

5 Secrets for a Happy Winter

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  1. Stay Active! In the winter it can be difficult to find the energy to keep up with your fitness routine. To combat this, buddy up and find a friend who’s willing to tag along and motivate you. Winterize your workout routine and buy some winter workout clothes to help you muster up that extra motivation!
  1. Keep Social It can be awfully tempting to hide away and hibernate in the winter months, but it’s important to stay social! Socializing can be a powerful way to boost your mood and keep morale up during the winter months. Call up a buddy or two and hibernate together with some Christmas movies and hot cocoa, or engage in a winter activity like ice-skating!
  1. Eat Healthy During the winter months it’s natural to want to eat warm, heavy foods that fill us up. Fatty and sugary comfort foods can mess with your blood sugar levels and actually leave you crankier than before you indulged! Instead, indulge in foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, whole grains, veggies and protein!
  1. Light it up! The National Institute of Mental Health found that exposure to bright light in the early morning can be a powerful and effective treatment for seasonal depression. So as soon as you wake up, throw open your curtains and turn on all the lights in your bedroom! Additionally, scented candles or a fireplace also act as a calming, soothing feature in the evenings.
  1. Supplement The lack of sunlight among other things in the winter can leave a nutritional gap. It’s important to stock up on the appropriate vitamins before the winter months hit in order to stay as happy and healthy as possible. Vitamin D, fish oils, Vitamin B12 and a good multi-vitamin are all great ways to supplement your winter nutrition!

Do you have a special way that you keep positive and healthy during the winter months? We’d love to hear! Share them with us on our Facebook or Twitter page!

Fascinating TED Talks That Will Make You Think

Have you heard of TED Talks? TED (Technology, Entertainment, and Design) is a nonprofit organization that puts on conferences featuring inspiring speeches from experts. These speeches help to spread interesting and unique ideas that can change the way that you see the world. From the simplest topics to the most complex, TED Talks are a great way to enrich your day and give you a chance to think about questions that you might not have considered otherwise. We’ve put together a collection of some of the most thought-provoking TED Talks ever made. They’ll make you gasp, they’ll make you laugh, but most of all: they’ll make you think!

Amy Cuddy: Your body language shapes who you are. Amy Cuddy, a social psychologist, explains how your body language can help make you seem more confident – even if you don’t feel confident!



Brian Greene: Making sense of string theory.
Brian Greene, a physicist, explains the mysteries of the universe in a mind-blowing way!

Isabel Stenzel Byrnes: The art of saying goodbye. Isabel Stenzel Byrnes, a social worker, explains how her diagnosis with a terminal illness changed her life.

Reggie Watts: Beats that defy boxes. Reggie Watts, a musician and comedian, showcases a stunning blend of poetry and music that is as fun as it is entertaining.

Jill Bolte Taylor: My stroke of insight. Jill Bolte Taylor, a neuroscientist, talks about her personal stroke experience from the perspective of a brain scientist.

Apollo Robbins: The art of misdirection. Apollo Robbins, a pickpocket and magician, shares an entertaining demonstration that will leave you guessing!

Benjamin Zander: The transformative power of classical music. Benjamin Zander, a conductor, shows how classical music is so much more than you think it is.

Mark Ronson: How sampling transformed music. Mark Ronson, a producer and DJ, takes us on a musical journey through the history of sampled music.

Are you feeling inspired? Do you have any questions? Contact us!

Living Stress-Free Reading Alone Time

Simple Ways to Live a Stress-Free Life

It’s no secret: our lives are more stressful than ever. Modern society can be noisy, hectic, and overwhelming, but you shouldn’t let it get to you. Even though some stress can be unavoidable, there are many ways that you can change your habits to help you better deal with whatever life throws at you. Take a look at these simple, straightforward methods for living a more stress-free life!

Be an Early Riser

You already know that the early bird gets the worm, but did you know that the early bird also leads a less stressful life? Give yourself an extra 15 minutes in the morning to relax, read the news, catch up on social media, and think about your day. Leaving the house in a rush always starts your day off on the wrong foot, so walk out the door feeling calm and balanced instead. Your day will reflect your mood!

Stay Organized

Organized people are just people who are too lazy to go looking for something later! Keep all of your things in order and you won’t have to experience the stress of searching for them in the future. That old saying rings true: a clear desk is a clear mind! Keep both your workspace and your living space organized to feel more relaxed and in control.

Start a Hobby

Hobbies are not only a fun pastime, but also a great way to get your mind focused on things other than the stressors in your life. Try playing guitar, gardening, or painting – any activity that feels meaningful to you! You’ll find yourself feeling more fulfilled, at ease, and with less time to fret over unnecessary anxieties.

Exercise More

Exercise is great for your mind and even better for your body. Not only will you feel better about yourself, but you will also have a worthwhile distraction from your daily worries. Exercise also releases natural endorphins that will lift your mood and give you a more positive outlook on life!

Set Aside Alone Time

It can be difficult to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern life, but it’s extremely important to set time aside for yourself. Always focusing on the needs of others can be a stressful experience, so make sure you schedule yourself a bit of alone time to relax and think about your needs everyday.

How do you deal with your daily stress? Let us know below or share your tips with us on Facebook!

Happiness Health Positivity

How to Give Others a Happiness Boost

Ever heard the saying “A little goes a long way”? When it comes to making others happy, this saying could not be more true. A simple act of kindness towards someone is remembered forever. You never know, you may lift their spirits on a bad day, or help them through a difficult time. However, the recipient is not the only person that will feel good from your kindness – you will as well! Going out of your way to do something nice for others will give you an instant boost of positive energy.

Happify posted a great article where they share Dr. Zak’s (a neuroeconomist and professor at Claremont Graduate University) favourite ways to make others happy, while also reaping the benefits yourself.

Here are his 5 tips:

  1. Ask “how can I be of service to you?” – you’ll discover an opportunity to help
  2. Maintain eye contact
  3. Stop pretending you’re the only person in the box – always say hello to everyone, including strangers!
  4. Comment on their emotions
  5. Expand your use of the ‘L’ word – let your close friends and colleagues know that you ‘love’ them (if you’re comfortable with it, of course!)

Have a friend that’s been lacking positive energy lately? Maybe it’s time you surprise them with a QRay bracelet! It may help to give them that boost of positivity that they’ve been looking for. We want to hear what you do to make others happy! Share your favourite ways with us on Facebook or Twitter.