Meditation

Hard on Yourself: Try Some Self-Compassion

Discover what self-compassion is, why it’s important and experience a brief strategy for cultivating it in this 5 minute free audio. Prefer to read it. Here is what is in the audio. Compassion How often do you find yourself saying “I messed up”, “I should have done better”, “I am not good enough, strong enough, or smart enough”.  It seems that we have lots of compassion for other’s mistakes,...

Resiliency in the Workplace

Join Wendy Woods for Resiliency in the Workplace on April 4 and 5, 2014 in the Applied Mindfulness Meditation program at the University of Toronto.  Learn how self-compassion and compassion can contribute to resiliency and impact the workplace.

Health Intelligence: Promoting health and wellness in healthcare

In her article Health Intelligence (H.Q.): Promoting health and wellness in healthcare, Michele Chaban MSW, RSW, Phd, suggests “if we want better health care, we need health and wellness to be an integral part of our care systems. We need to embody what we are trying to achieve.” Chaban highlights a study by Dr. Bruce Barrett where patients dealing with ARI (Acute Respiratory Illness) were assigned to a control,...

Meditation can Increase Concentration- especially when Multitasking

A recent study (The Effects of Mindfulness Meditation Training on Multitasking in a High-Stress Information Environment, 2012) shows that practicing mindfulness meditation can help people stay on task longer with fewer distractions and also improves memory and reduces stress. The Experiment Three groups of Human Resource managers were tested on their ability to multitask. All were given an initial round of testing. The first group was then given 8...

Mindfulness Practice Reduces Cognitive Rigidity

The old adage “experience makes you wiser” may not always be the case.  Studies have shown that experience may actually blind you to seeing simpler more innovative solutions. According to a recent study, mindfulness meditation can help reduce this tendency also known as cognitive rigidity. In two separate studies with either experienced or novice meditators, Greenberg, Reiner and Meiran (2012) examined the impact of mindfulness meditation on cognitive rigidity....

Meditating at Work: A New Approach to Managing Overload

Want to be more effective and productive at work? Simply click on Noetic Now to access the article.

Quotes of the Week

The practice of mindfulness begins in the small, remote cave of your unconscious mind and blossoms with the sunlight of your conscious life, reaching far beyond the people and places you can see. ~
Earon Davis Don’t worry about what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.
~Howard Thurman, American author, philosopher, theologian, and civil...

Techniques for Clearing the Mind

Here are some techniques to clear your mind and calm the mental chatter. Write to Release. Reverse negative habits and mental patterns that threaten your productivity by engaging in free form writing, at least once a day for 30 days. Grab your pencil and paper and sit in a quiet private area where you won’t be interrupted. Close your eyes and take three deep breaths before you start writing....

Bust through Stress in 3 minutes or less

The reality is that stress is an inevitable part of life. However, the key to living a more balanced life is to manage stress so it doesn’t manage you as opposed to trying to eliminate it completely. Here is a quick Watershed Training Solutions Stress Busting strategy: Take 10 Slow Deep Breaths – Why? Breathing is one of the easiest systems to control in order to relax (Dr John...

Quotes of the Week

Image courtesy of markuso/FreeDigitalPhotos.net “Hanging onto resentment is letting someone you despise live rent-free in your head.” ~Esther Lederer, a.k.a. Ann Landers, Syndicated Advice Columnist, 1918-2002 “If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it.” ~William Arthur Ward, Author “He who breathes deepest lives most.” ~Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Poet, 1806-1861 “Meditation here may think down hours to moments. Here the...

Importance of Breathing

Image courtesy of federico stevanin/FreedigitalPhotos.net Breathing is something we all do but most of us don’t do it properly. We breathe shallowly and quickly so we don’t get the benefits that our bodies need from a decent supply of oxygen into our lungs. Another wonderful benefit of proper breathing is that it can quickly help us manage stress. Here are 3 quick ways to improve your breathing: Check in...

Meditate like the Busy Person You are

I was asked to join a great group of women as they explore spiritual topics.  Since Monday night was only our second meeting, I suggested that we start each meeting with a guided mediation. This would ensure that we leave our stress, worry and busyness behind to be fully present. Luckily everyone agreed.I then lead them through a 7 minute meditation focusing on the breath and relaxing our bodies...

5 Ways to Create a More Relaxing Environment

When you are relaxed you are more productive, creative and less stressed. Here are 5 simple tips: Clear the clutter.  Organizing the mess frees you of the mental energy you encounter every time you see it. Put pictures that elicit feelings of relaxation and serenity (e.g. vacation spots, nature) Have soothing music playing. Here are some or our favourites: Satori – Music for Yoga and Meditation, Tibetan Chakra Meditation...

Seven Ways to Reward Employees without Breaking the Bank (Plus a bonus for when you have funds)

The downturn has left many companies short of funds; leaving employee rewards programs in the dust. Yet, ignoring achievements leaves people upset and feeling unappreciated, reducing productivity and employee engagement. Here are seven ways to reward employees for free, plus a bonus for when a little funding trickles through. Enjoy. Surprise them with an early end to the day: Show your appreciation for all their hard work by giving...

Create your greatest 2010

Wishing you a happy, healthy and fulfilling new year! This year I am excited about the New Year. In fact I am much more enthusiastic than I have been in a very long time. Why?  I am looking at this year as a fresh start, a blank slate and a new beginning.  It’s not that 2009 was so bad or that I need to put it behind me.  Instead...

The Amazing Benefits of Meditation

In July I wrote about the importance of meditation as a way of managing stress.  Meditation has been proven to have many benefits in addition to stress relief which are listed below. I hope these benefits help convince you to give meditation a try. You don’t need to become a Buddhist monk or move to India to start meditating.  You can start with as little as 5 minutes a...