If we want to change healthcare outcomes in Canada, we must first ask a deeper question:

What exactly are we measuring?

Because what we measure shapes what we fund.
What we fund shapes what we value.
And what we value shapes how we live.

Right now, much of Canada’s understanding of “wellbeing” is being guided through economic and productivity lenses rather than lived health realities.

And that may be part of how we got here.

What Do We Know About Canada and Measuring Our Health?

1. The Federal Quality of Life Framework

The Department of Finance is leading Canada’s wellbeing tracking strategy through:

Measuring What Matters: Toward a Quality of Life Strategy for Canada
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/services/publications/measuring-what-matters-toward-quality-life-strategy-canada.html

While this represents progress in broadening the conversation beyond GDP, it is still situated within economic policy structures. Health is viewed as one component within economic stability, productivity, housing, and affordability discussions.

The result?

Health becomes downstream of financial systems rather than foundational to them.

2. The Canadian Index of Wellbeing (CIW)

Canada does not have a single federally adopted index that defines wellbeing holistically. The most comprehensive independent framework comes from the University of Waterloo:

About the Canadian Index of Wellbeing
https://uwaterloo.ca/canadian-index-wellbeing/about-canadian-index-wellbeing/wellbeing-canada

The CIW includes domains such as:

• Community vitality
• Democratic engagement
• Education
• Environment
• Healthy populations
• Leisure and culture
• Living standards
• Time use

This is closer to a holistic model — yet it is not the central driver of provincial health funding decisions.

3. How We Measure Time

One striking indicator of how we define health is how we measure time:

Time Use – Canadian Index of Wellbeing National Report
https://uwaterloo.ca/canadian-index-wellbeing/reports/canadian-index-wellbeing-national-report/time-use

Time is categorized largely around:

• Paid work
• Unpaid work
• Caregiving
• Personal care
• Leisure

But the system does not deeply assess the qualitative impact of:

• Cultural participation
• Community gathering
• Nature immersion
• Arts engagement

These are categorized as leisure — not as health infrastructure.

Yet we know that chronic stress, overwork, isolation, and sedentary lifestyles are primary contributors to chronic disease.

4. Measuring Community Wellbeing

Communities can assess themselves through:

Our Wellbeing Survey – Canadian Index of Wellbeing
https://uwaterloo.ca/canadian-index-wellbeing/what-we-do/how-it-works/our-wellbeing-survey

This tool offers promise. It allows municipalities to examine community vitality, belonging, and access to resources.

But again, this is not the core framework used to define provincial healthcare success.

Hospital wait times are measured.
Surgical capacity is measured.
Economic growth is measured.

Belonging, cultural continuity, and nervous system regulation? Not so much.

5. Youth Wellbeing in Canada

For children and youth, we turn to:

Canadian Index of Child and Youth Well-being – UNICEF Canada
https://www.unicef.ca/sites/default/files/2022-07/2019_Baseline_Report_Canadian_Index_of_Child_and_Youth_Well-being%281%29.pdf

This report highlights:

• Mental health concerns
• Social inequities
• Educational outcomes
• Risk behaviours

Yet even here, while social determinants are acknowledged, the cultural and community-based protective factors are not deeply integrated into provincial healthcare investment strategies.

6. The Eight Dimensions of Wellbeing

The Okanagan Office of McMaster University outlines:

Eight Dimensions of Wellbeing – McMaster Okanagan
https://okanagan.mcmaster.ca/about-us/eight-dimensions-of-wellbeing/#:~:text=The%20Eight%20Dimensions%20of%20Well%2Dbeing%20include%20physical%2C%20emotional%2C,overall%20health%20and%20well%2Dbeing.

These include:

• Physical
• Emotional
• Social
• Spiritual
• Intellectual
• Occupational
• Financial
• Environmental

This is a multidimensional model — one that begins to reflect a systems view.

And through:

McMaster Okanagan Initiatives
https://okanagan.mcmaster.ca/initiatives/

we see innovation happening in wellbeing spaces.

But again, these are often institutional initiatives — not embedded at the level of provincial health budget design.

How Did We Get Here?

Over decades, healthcare became synonymous with:

• Acute care
• Hospital beds
• Pharmaceuticals
• Diagnostic testing
• Surgical intervention

Meanwhile, the upstream determinants of health — culture, belonging, purpose, movement, environment — were categorized as “lifestyle choices.”

The confusion arose because:

We began measuring disease management instead of measuring health creation.

Economic output became easier to quantify than community vitality.

And so our systems evolved accordingly.

The Missing Lens: Quality of Living

If we truly want to change health outcomes in Nova Scotia and across Canada, we must shift from:

Healthcare Delivery
to
Health Creation.

Health is cultivated through:

• Community
• Culture
• Heritage
• Arts
• Tourism
• Nature engagement
• Intergenerational connection

On the East Coast, these are not luxuries.
They are our way of life.

Ceilidhs regulate nervous systems.
Storytelling metabolizes grief.
Music synchronizes heart rhythms.
Movement sustains mobility.
Ocean air invites restoration.

Yet none of these are central line items in healthcare budgets.

The Real Question

If provincial governments are using economic-driven wellbeing frameworks to justify health spending, then we must ask:

Are we funding the repair of disease —
or investing in the cultivation of vitality?

Because these are not the same thing.

A Different Formulation for the Future

To redefine healthcare in Nova Scotia, we may need to:

1. Integrate arts, culture, heritage and tourism into health strategy.
2. Measure community vitality as a health outcome.
3. Track social cohesion as immune resilience.
4. Recognize culture as preventative infrastructure.
5. Design budgets that reflect quality of living, not just cost of illness.

When we redefine health as coherence — between people, place, purpose, and physiology — we shift from crisis management to vitality cultivation.

Closing Reflection

Canada is not lacking measurement tools.
We are lacking integration.

The frameworks exist.
The data exists.
The research exists.

What is required now is the courage to redefine what counts as health.

Perhaps on Cape Breton Island — where community, culture, music, land, and heritage remain alive — we can model a new formulation. Perhaps the Nova Scotia government would realize the value of rural communities and the programs that provide vitality for the community and its people to thrive.

Not healthcare as repair, but, healthcare as a living expression of who we are.

The post Are We Measuring Health — or Just Measuring the Economy? first appeared on Greenwell Center for Holistic Health.

Blue Zone Principles in Everyday Life

Blue Zones are areas around the world where people live longer, healthier lives. These regions share common traits:

• Regular, natural movement incorporated into daily routines
• Strong social connections and community engagement
• Purpose and intention in life
• Consistent self-care practices that reduce stress

Tai Chi aligns beautifully with these principles, offering gentle, intentional movement that strengthens the body, nurtures the mind, and fosters connection within the community.

Tai Chi for Strength and Daily Self-Care

Regular practice of Tai Chi supports physical strength, balance, and resilience—all crucial for wellness, particularly in winter months when outdoor activity may be limited. Movements are slow, deliberate, and accessible to all ages, helping to build strength without strain while enhancing posture and coordination.

In addition, Tai Chi supports emotional and mental health, reducing stress through breath-focused movement, mindful awareness, and the calming flow of energy through the body. This consistent practice creates a strong foundation for personal wellness and Blue Zone living.

Connection Through Community

One of Tai Chi’s most powerful benefits is the sense of connection it fosters. Practicing together strengthens bonds, encourages accountability, and allows participants to share their journey toward health and vitality.

On Cape Breton Island, community members gather to practice at Tai Chi Cape Breton classes throughout the week, building relationships while supporting their physical and emotional wellbeing. A special addition is the new Baddeck Saturday morning class, offering a welcoming space for participants to engage in group practice while overlooking the beauty of the Bras D’Or Lakes.

Partner practices and group routines deepen awareness, coordination, and trust, reinforcing the idea that wellness is not just an individual pursuit—it is nurtured through shared experience.

Integrating Tai Chi Into Your Daily Routine

Strength and connection in motion are not limited to class time. Daily self-care routines incorporating Tai Chi can include:

• Morning warm-ups to awaken the body and mind
• Gentle Seated or Standing forms to maintain mobility
• Short partner practices or shared routines to build connection
• Mindful breathing and flowing movements to regulate stress

Consistency, rather than intensity, is the key. Each small session supports the nervous system, strengthens the body, and cultivates a sense of inner calm, echoing the lifestyle principles seen in global Blue Zones.

Embrace Strength, Connection, and Resilience

On Cape Breton Island, Tai Chi is more than a practice—it is a community-centered approach to wellness. By committing to daily movement and shared experience, individuals strengthen their bodies, support their hearts, and cultivate meaningful connections that enhance longevity and quality of life.

Whether joining Tai Chi Cape Breton classes during the week or attending the new Baddeck Saturday morning class, participants are invited to integrate strength, connection, and mindful motion into their lives. You can see the TCCB class list on the calendar. Baddeck registrations are handled at the Baddeck Public Library.

Join Us

Empower your wellness journey by embracing the principles of Blue Zone living through Tai Chi. Move with intention, connect with others, and build resilience—one mindful step at a time.

Tai Chi Cape Breton Classes:

• Weekly classes for all skill levels
• Partner and group exercises to strengthen body and connection
• Special Saturday morning sessions in Baddeck with scenic views of the Bras D’Or Lakes

Strength. Connection. Motion.
Make Tai Chi part of your daily self-care, and experience the Blue Zone lifestyle on Cape Breton Island.

The post Strength & Connection in Motion: Tai Chi and Blue Zone Living on Cape Breton Island first appeared on Greenwell Center for Holistic Health.

As we mark Psychology Month, we are reminded of something foundational: mental health is never separate from the body, the heart, or the energetic environments we live within. Our thoughts, emotions, relationships, and physiology are constantly in conversation, shaping how we respond to stress, care for ourselves, and support one another.

At CanBeWell (Canadian Association of BioEnergetic Wellness), February’s theme—Compassion, Connection & the Psychology of Care—invites us to explore compassion not simply as an emotion, but as a bioenergetic force: one that regulates stress, supports healing, and strengthens our sense of belonging.

Compassion as a BioEnergetic Practice

From a bioenergetic wellness perspective, compassion is not passive. It is active, measurable, and deeply embodied. When compassion is present—toward ourselves or others—the nervous system softens, breath deepens, and the body shifts out of survival mode. These changes create the internal conditions where healing, learning, and resilience can occur.

Research continues to show that compassionate states influence heart rate variability, stress hormone regulation, immune response, and emotional regulation. In energetic terms, compassion supports coherence—bringing the body’s systems into greater harmony. This is why compassion is central not only to mental health, but to whole-body wellbeing.

At the Greenwell Center, our programs help you learn more about this harmony, as well as through CanBeWell. We explore how intentional practices—movement, breath, touch, sound, and mindful awareness—can cultivate compassion as a lived experience rather than a concept. These tools help individuals respond to life with greater steadiness, even in times of uncertainty or strain.

Upcoming events to consider:

Feb 22 – Awaken Inner Resonance with Ann-Marie Boudreau and Dr Michelle Greenwell in Mabou

Feb 25 – The Stories We Tell Ourselves with Theresa Stone and Dr Michelle Greenwell online – on sale!

Mar 6 – 8 – Tai Chi Wellness Retreat in West Kelowna, BC with Wine Country Tai Chi Society, facilitated by Dr Michelle Greenwell.

Mar 22 – Sound, Posture and Healing with Ann-Marie Boudreau and Dr Michelle Greenwell in Mabou

The Psychology of Care: Beyond the Mind

Psychology Month offers an opportunity to widen the lens through which we understand care. While traditional psychology has focused primarily on cognition and behavior, integrative and bioenergetic approaches remind us that care is relational and embodied.

Dr Michelle Greenwell, CIH BioEW, first graduated with a Bachelor of Psychology, and enjoyed the profound shifts that movement for wellness created at an emotional level. Her work has continued to discover the deeper aspects of well-being through her latest NeuroArts programs – a link of her passion for the arts, music, dance, Tai Chi, and BioEnergetic Wellness. This winter, her Symphony of Radiance program has brought a heightened awareness to this profound way of working. NeuroArts is empowering at a magnitude not seen by basic movement activities, enjoying music, or doing art for creative expression. You can still sign up for the class, and consider how your self-care can be empowered. Class recordings, art, and additional resources are all ready for you to explore.

How we care for ourselves is shaped by:

• Our nervous system patterns
• Our relational histories
• Our capacity for self-regulation and rest
• The energetic environments we inhabit—workplaces, homes, communities

Care is not just what we think—it is how we feel in our bodies and how safe we feel in connection.

Through CanBeWell’s educational initiatives, newsletters, and events, we continue to highlight practices that support mental health in everyday living—especially in workplace and caregiving contexts where compassion fatigue, burnout, and emotional overload are increasingly common. Be sure to see the FREE award-winning e-books on the front page of the website – Mental Health for the Workplace and BioEnergetic Essentials.

Connection as Medicine

Human connection is one of the most powerful regulators of wellbeing. Feeling seen, heard, and supported alters physiology, strengthens resilience, and restores a sense of meaning. In bioenergetic terms, connection enhances flow—reducing stagnation and supporting adaptive response.

February reminds us that connection begins internally. Self-compassion—meeting ourselves with curiosity rather than judgment—is often the first step toward healthier relationships with others. From there, care expands outward, shaping families, teams, organizations, and communities.

CanBeWell’s community spaces—newsletters, conversations, workshops, and collaborative projects—are designed to foster this sense of shared learning and belonging. They offer places where people can explore wellness together, grounded in both science and lived experience.

Supporting Mental Health Through Everyday Tools

One of CanBeWell’s core commitments is accessibility. Bioenergetic wellness is not reserved for specialists—it offers practical tools that support daily self-care. Simple practices such as conscious breathing, gentle movement, grounding touch, and intentional pauses can significantly influence mental and emotional wellbeing.

These approaches do not replace psychological care; rather, they complement and enhance it, acknowledging the inseparable relationship between mind, body, and energy.

As Leadership Team President, Michelle’s role has been to help steward this integrative vision forward—ensuring that compassion, research-informed education, and practical application remain at the heart of CanBeWell’s work.

An Invitation for February

This month, we invite you to:

• Reflect on how compassion shows up in your body and daily choices
• Explore CanBeWell’s resources, newsletters, and events
• Consider how bioenergetic practices might support your mental health and relational wellbeing
• Engage with a community committed to care, curiosity, and connection

February teaches us that care is not something we offer only when things are easy. It is something we cultivate—through presence, practice, and relationship. Compassion, when understood as a bioenergetic force, becomes a pathway toward resilience, healing, and meaningful connection.

Through CanBeWell and the Greenwell Center, we continue to explore what it means to care well—for ourselves, for one another, and for the systems we are part of.

With warmth and compassion,

Dr. Michelle Greenwell, CIH BioEW
Leadership Team President, CanBeWell
Founder, Greenwell Center for Holistic Health

The post February is Compassion, Connection & the Psychology of Care first appeared on Greenwell Center for Holistic Health.

A Formula for Success

The full Touch for Health program is built on a unique formula that goes beyond physical wellness. Participants learn to:

• Set intentions and goals for clarity, ease, and flow throughout the day.
• Develop awareness of subtle cues from the body about imbalances in the systems.
• Activate energy techniques to bring muscles, thoughts, emotions, and motion into harmony.
• Release pain, restore coordination, enhance memory, and calm emotions for a clear and focused mind.

Touch for Health isn’t just about “fixing” what’s wrong—it’s about cultivating harmony so that body, mind, and spirit work together with balance and vitality.

A Window into Ancient Wisdom

One of the most powerful aspects of Touch for Health is muscle monitoring, which provides insights into the body’s energy systems. This connects directly to the Five Element Theory of Chinese Medicine, and Dr Goodheart’s research in applied kinesiology, which links muscles, meridians, organs, and elements in a way that makes healing and self-care accessible.

With this knowledge, participants discover how to apply energy balancing techniques to daily life—whether that means reducing stress, supporting health goals, or releasing old patterns that no longer serve them – BioEnergetic Wellness.

Colin MacLeod’s Story: Music in Harmony

Sometimes the best way to understand the power of Touch for Health is through the experiences of others. Musician Colin MacLeod discovered that by learning Touch for Health, his relationship with music transformed.

He found new freedom in his playing—less tension, more fluidity, and a deeper connection to his instrument. The stress and effort he once carried into performance began to dissolve, replaced by effortless expression and joy.

Colin’s story shows how this system doesn’t just support physical wellness—it expands creativity, intuition, and self-expression.

How Might Life Feel Different?

It’s natural to wonder: Could this really work for me? Touch for Health offers tools to bring balance into every aspect of daily life. Imagine:

• Feeling less tension in your body.
• Moving through your day with clarity and ease.
• Approaching your goals with confidence and empowerment.
• Releasing effort so joy and creativity can flow naturally.

It sounds almost too good to be true—but time and again, students find that these simple techniques make a profound difference.

Upcoming Opportunities

If you’re curious to experience Touch for Health for yourself, here are upcoming opportunities to join us:

Level 1 Class – Begins November
Deep Dive Class – Begins October
Movement & Music Class – Starts September 9

Each program offers a chance to learn, grow, and discover new ways of bringing balance into your life. Whether you’re a musician like Colin, a wellness seeker, or simply someone looking to feel better in daily life, Touch for Health has something to offer.

Join Us

Touch for Health is more than a class—it’s a journey into self-awareness, empowerment, and effortless living. The knowledge you gain becomes a toolkit for wellness that you can apply anytime, anywhere.

Are you ready to create change? To move through life with more joy, flow, and harmony? We invite you to step into this experience and discover what’s possible.

Join us and let your wellness journey begin.

The post Unlocking Wellness with Touch for Health: A Musician’s Testimonial first appeared on Greenwell Center for Holistic Health.

This is the guiding spirit behind CORAH (Centre for Rural Aging and Health), a program funded by the Nova Scotia Department of Seniors and Long-Term Care, with locations across three NSCC campuses including the Strait Area Campus in Port Hawkesbury. Designed to support individuals aged 55+, CORAH offers diverse social, learning, cultural, and recreational opportunities that reduce isolation and promote holistic wellbeing.

This special podcast episode features the talents of Michele MacPhee. Michele MacPhee is the Administrator and Project Coordinator for the CORAH program in Port Hawkesbury. With a strong background in community engagement and adult education, Michele is passionate about creating inclusive, empowering spaces for older adults to connect, learn, and thrive. Through her leadership, CORAH has become a vital resource for enhancing the health and well-being of seniors in the region, offering innovative programming that fosters social connection, lifelong learning, and holistic self-care. Her collaborative spirit and dedication to meaningful community development continue to inspire positive change across generations.

The Power of Participation

From group knitting circles to Tai Chi classes and creative workshops, CORAH’s programming cultivates more than hobbies—it nurtures joy, purpose, and connection. When people gather to learn and grow together, they rediscover their value in the community and open new doors to healing and vitality.

Dr Michelle Greenwell’s, PhD CIH, Tai Chi satellite program, running as part of the Strait Area CORAH offerings, is one powerful example. These community classes blend gentle movement, breath, and intention to invite participants into a deeper relationship with their body, energy system, and surroundings. The practice emphasizes ease, fluidity, and inner peace—cornerstones of self-care and stress reduction at any age.

Beyond its physical benefits, Michelle’s approach to Tai Chi offers a bioenergetic wellness lens, using awareness, goal-setting, intuition, and community support to guide participants into empowered daily living. This program has quietly become a hub of friendship, storytelling, laughter, and mutual encouragement.

Intergenerational Benefits: A Win-Win for All Ages

When seniors engage fully in community life, everyone wins. Intergenerational programming—whether through shared meals, music, movement, or mentorship—encourages the transmission of wisdom and emotional support between age groups. Located at the local community college, programs interact with youth through shared presentations, interactive workshops, and program development by students for senior participation. There are some very positive gains from this interactive approach.

Additional workshops for CORAH by Michelle have included Tea with Intention – exploring tea as a health aly with special beverage recipes and food pairings, Sleep for Wellbeing (featured on Telile’s Community Channel, Episode #146), and Chronic Pain Relief through BioEnergetic Wellness techniques have further expanded CORAH’s impact. These workshops introduce simple yet profound techniques for self-care, including breathwork, hydration, mindful movement, and tea rituals.

Each offering builds a toolbox for daily resilience, helping participants respond to life’s challenges with grace and confidence. And more is coming in the fall of 2025 and spring of 2026—with new sessions on emotional wellness, energy balancing, and community healing already in development.

A Cup of Connection

This philosophy of intentional living is steeped beautifully in the HoneyBEE tea blend from the Cape Breton Tea Company, which was featured in this recent Be Well with Dr. Michelle Greenwell podcast. With warming ginger and soothing vanilla, this blend captures the spirit of community connection and vibrant aging. Paired with the affirmation:

“Feel the boost to your spirit and the playfulness and joy that transpires. A zest for life is encouraged with each sip.”

…it’s a gentle reminder of the sweetness and vitality available in every moment, especially when shared with others.

Just a little note that the HoneyBEE blend is great as an iced tea, and is fantastic in the Switchel Recipe as an electrolyte replacer. Any tea blend can be used in the recipe, but there is a fondness for the HoneyBee tea.

Moving Forward with Peace and Purpose

As we look to the future, programs like CORAH offer a blueprint for healthy, connected, and empowered aging. They remind us that when we include and celebrate our senior population, we all benefit—from stronger relationships and deeper empathy to a more peaceful and resilient society. And, yes, 55 + is considered senior, and includes many of us still in the workforce.

We encourage you to:

• Explore CORAH programming through NSCC campuses and virtual workshops
• Watch Telile Episode #146 for tips on sleep and Tai Chi
• Try a cup of HoneyBEE tea as part of your daily wellness ritual
• Check out the BioEnergetic Essentials book for accessible tools on intention and energy care
• And follow the Magnifying Peace Project to see how small actions ripple into big change

Together, let’s magnify peace, one connection at a time.

The post 🌿 A Zest for Life: Engaging Our Seniors for Community Wellness and Connection first appeared on Greenwell Center for Holistic Health.

For Marian Egan, Michelle’s partner in this Magnifying Peace Project, crochet isn’t just a hobby — it’s a form of moving meditation. As the yarn glides through her fingers and each stitch forms a rhythm, she find herself returning to stillness. The repetitive motion gently calms her nervous system, quiets her thoughts, and reconnects her with her breath. It is a way of weaving peace through the chaos of everyday life.

Craft as Meditation

When we engage in a creative process like crochet, knitting, or weaving, we activate more than just our hands. We step into an embodied mindfulness practice — one where movement and breath are in harmony. The rhythmic motion of stitching allows the mind to settle and the body to relax, similar to practices like Tai Chi or walking meditation. The hands become portals to presence, and through them, we craft not just garments or blankets, but a softer, more regulated inner world.

These simple, repetitive actions create what neuroscientists refer to as a flow state — a neurological sweet spot where time slows down and the mind becomes absorbed in the moment. In this space, we are no longer dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. We are simply here, now.

Science Behind the Stitch

You don’t have to take our word for it — science backs the healing power of crafts. A 2013 survey by the British Journal of Occupational Therapy found that over 81% of respondents with depression reported feeling happier after knitting. The study noted improvements in cognitive function, increased feelings of relaxation, and reduced stress.

Another study published in the Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences found that engaging in crafts like knitting or crocheting reduced the risk of cognitive impairment by 30-50% in older adults. These findings highlight what many of us intuitively know: that the act of making with our hands can nourish our minds, uplift our spirits, and protect our long-term mental wellbeing.

A Practice of Peace and Healing

In the face of global unrest and personal challenges, we need tools that empower us to stay centered and grounded. Crafting becomes more than a pastime — it is a peace practice, a way to self-soothe, reflect, and reset. As we stitch row after row, we are reminded of the power of slow, the wisdom of quiet, and the beauty of being.

This is how we magnify peace — from the inside out.

Join the Movement

What practice brings you back to peace? Whether it’s crochet, baking, music, or walking in nature, your peaceful presence matters. We’d love to hear your story.

If this post resonates, please:
Share it with someone who could use a little calm
Watch and subscribe to the Magnifying World Peace YouTube series
Comment on the video and let us know what brings peace to your hands and heart

Together, we stitch a more peaceful world — one breath, one moment, one intention at a time.

Watch Episode 3: “Mindful Crochet – Meditation Through the Hands” now on YouTube and help us share this peace-filled message with more hearts and homes.

Did you miss Episode 1: “Painting Peace” by Marian Egan? Or, Episode 2: “I am Comfortable with Peace” by Dr Michelle Greenwell, CIH? Be sure to check out these episodes too!

Are you looking for Tai Chi to help you with your movement meditation? Be sure to visit the shop at the Greenwell Center to sign up for Dr Michelle’s online classes. You can find the local in-person classes, on Cape Breton Island, on the calendar. And, if you live in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, consider the classes offered by Wine Country Tai Chi Society in several locations, including West Kelowna and Peachland.

The post Magnifying World Peace Through Mindful Crochet: Crafting Calm, One Stitch at a Time first appeared on Greenwell Center for Holistic Health.

By Dr. Michelle Greenwell | Greenwell Center for Holistic Health

In a world of rapid change, unrelenting stress, and constant information overload, the idea of peace often feels distant—if not impossible. But what if peace wasn’t something we had to find “out there”? What if peace could begin within each of us, as a daily, intentional act?

This project invites each of us to step into a space of reflection, creativity, and connection, and to become active participants in cultivating peace—not only for ourselves but for our families, communities, and the planet. Read more about Peace and get the link to the podcast to learn more…

Are We at Peace?

Despite living in an era with more access to wellness tools than ever before, stress, anxiety, and emotional disconnection are rising.

According to the American Psychological Association’s Stress in America Survey (2023):

• 76% of adults reported experiencing health impacts from stress.
• 27% feel they lack emotional support.
• More than 70% feel overwhelmed by global issues, including violence and climate change.

Similarly, a Gallup Global Emotions Report (2022) found that negative emotions have reached a record high worldwide, with rising rates of sadness, worry, and anger.

These statistics show a clear truth:
We are not at peace.
And yet, we are yearning for it.

Peace as a Practice, Not a Destination

The Magnifying Peace Project encourages a shift in perspective. Peace is not a passive state we wait to achieve—it’s an active frequency we choose and cultivate through:

• Our thoughts
• Our words
• Our actions
• Our wellness routines
• Our creative expression
• And most importantly, our relationship with ourselves

Through weekly prompts, creative invitations, tea rituals, and card decks, the project gently guides participants to explore what peace means to them—and how they can share that peace outwardly.

The Three Foundational Questions

In our special podcast episode launching the project, Marian and I explore three guiding questions:

1. What do we hope to achieve with this project, and how can people be involved?
   → Our aim is to build a global community of conscious peace-makers through small but powerful actions—like sharing a word of kindness, creating an art piece, or simply sipping tea with intention.
2. How are our messages of hope being created and shared over the next four months?
   → With guided content, frequency messages, and collaborative moments, we’ll nurture a sustained and supportive energy field where peace becomes a felt experience.
3. If people support this project, what might they cultivate within themselves?
   → Clarity, resilience, self-compassion, and a sense of purpose—these are the outcomes of choosing peace consistently and courageously.

A Moment of Tea: Supporting Peace in Body and Mind

Each month of the project features a tea blend to accompany the journey. For the launch, we’ve chosen The Autograph, part of the Natalie MacMaster Signature Collection from the Cape Breton Tea Company.

This blend includes:

• Peppermint – Clears the mind, supports breath and digestion, encourages mental presence and focus.
• Rose – Opens the heart, supports emotional release, and nurtures a deep sense of love and connection.

Intention: “What special gift can you share with the world?”

The simple act of brewing and sipping this tea becomes a ritual of grounding and reflection, allowing the limbic system to calm and the body’s motor system to soften into stillness. These moments, done regularly, create real, measurable shifts in brain-body balance.

Why Now? Because the World Needs Your Peace

With global conflict and climate crisis dominating the headlines, it’s easy to feel powerless. But real change starts at the energetic level—within.

When we each take action to magnify peace, we:

• Raise our personal vibration
• Influence the energy field of those around us
• Create collective resonance for calm, creativity, and healing

It’s time to stop waiting for peace to come.
It’s time to become the peace we’re seeking.

Ready to Join Us?

Here’s how you can get started:

• Listen to the podcast episode here
• Sip the tea: Try The Autograph and make your tea time intentional
• Follow the prompts: Join our weekly reflections and creative invitations
• Share your journey using #MagnifyingPeace
• Invite others into the conversation
• Join one of our in-person or online Tai Chi classes to cultivate the peace within

Together, we can shift the narrative—from fear to focus, from chaos to calm, from despair to direction.

Because peace is powerful.
And when we magnify it, we heal.

With peace and purpose,
Dr. Michelle Greenwell
Founder, Greenwell Center for Holistic Health
www.greenwellcenter.com

The post Magnifying Peace: A Pathway to Healing from the Inside Out first appeared on Greenwell Center for Holistic Health.

We are very proud to have the Mission4Change CommuniTEA supporting fundraising for the Moyo Family. If you have a group gathering, a business group that you meet with, a community group you gather with, or a family gathering where you could feature the tea and help us fundraise, please reach out to info@greenwellcenter.com.

If you are interested in supporting the fundraising efforts for school supplies, shoes, Grace Pads, a home, farming supplies or seeds, training for family members, final land payment, or medical support, we would love to hear from you. You can reach out to the Greenwell Center, or to Charlene Waines on Facebook or through info@greenwellcenter.com.

Both Wine Country Tai Chi Society and Tai Chi Cape Breton have been fundraising with these teas, and the latest Wellness Retreat offered by WCTCS raised more funds for the Moyo family with purchases. Thank you to these two groups for their efforts!

The post Tea for Compassionate Care first appeared on Greenwell Center for Holistic Health.

Here is the podcast version

Check out the mini clip

More about the podcast

Welcome to the 99th Episode for the Be Well with Dr Michelle Greenwell podcast. Today we explore what you need to bring energy and vitality into your day, and how to make this a habit in all that you do. This habit comes with ease and flow, so it is not meant to be more work or a burden in your day, but rather a life choice that brings you energy and vitality and changes your quality of life.

The BioEnergetic Wellness Formula is derived from the dissertation work that Michelle did identifying the key aspects of the Touch for Health process for balancing the body. This formula empowers all those who enjoy working in the field of health and wellness, specialized kinesiology (as it is referred to outside of Canada), and complementary and alternative medicine. Michelle explores the science and background of the formula as well as the layering of content that empowers and builds the effects of the formula. If you have wanted to empower your day by setting goals and ambitions in a much better way, be sure to listen to this episode to know who and why you are doing so.

Michelle shares more about the Mission4Change CommuniTEA tea, the relationship of the herbs found in the playlist on the YouTube channel @michellegreenwell, and how the tea has empowered her meetings, social gatherings, and understanding of the power of herbs to activate energy changes. You can find the “It’s in the Cards” deck and the “Affirmations for the Body and BioField” deck in the shop. You can easily enjoy learning more about the tips and tools that make up a vibrant day for Dr Michelle.

Stay tuned for the 100th episode from Be Well with Dr Michelle Greenwell

Want to Learn More?

Through the Touch for Health community, Michelle shares a passion with an incredible global network. A recent email sent from Adam Lehman shared more about his love for HeartMath, and a clip from a conference he attended. In this clip, Howard Martin talks about intuition and how it is empowered by being in heart coherence with others around the planet.

When we bring our bodies into balance so all the systems are in harmony we create a frequency that others can find enjoyable to be around. Our beacon of frequency through being in balance is recognized by others and the way they interact with us. It also helps us to become an antenna for other coherent activities. This is how our intuition is expanded and heightened.

As you engage daily with the BioEnergetic Wellness Formula, you will discover how your intuition will grow and what is inspired because you found a way to be coherent within, so you could be coherent with others.

If you want to develop these skills consider one of the programs Dr Michelle offers online and inperson. Starting this week is Movement Made Easy and Touch for Health Level 1. Continuing is the Energy of Nutrition in the Qi YINtegration class. Tai Chi class is happening regularly, and the AME for Greatness Project has one spot left for anyone suffering from a chronic illness that has not been able to find resolution through regular health channels. What a powerful week ahead!

The post Living by the BioEnergetic Wellness Formula first appeared on Greenwell Center for Holistic Health.

Exploring the Depth of Grief

An artist who moves people with their craft is such an inspiring and gifted way to live.  How has Ainsley developed the depth to her music and to her way of living?  Today we are going to be talking about the time Ainsley spent with her grandmother and the role that her family has had in her choices and way of living.  As we talk about grief, and the process of moving through it, we expand to the connection of life that is created by our ability to love and to let go of our loved ones. 

As you listen today, please be gentle with yourself, and consider the gifts of knowing and growing that our loved ones offer with their connection.

Have you got your cup of tea ready?

At the Cape Breton Tea Company our tea is created to provide transitional moments for people as they sip the tea.  Grief can be supported by such herbs as lavender, chamomile, rose, valerian, lemon balm, motherwort, hawthorn.  Our intention is important to how we want to transition ourselves into growth and inspiration because of our ability to love and be loved.

We chose our blend, from the Harmony Blends collection, Island VitaliTEA – “Be inspired by the power of nature that surrounds you, rest and release into healing.”  This blend includes Green Tea, Echinacea, Apple, Strawberry, Blackberry and Holy Basil leaves, Rosehip, Hibiscus, Blue Pea Flower, Blue Cornflower petals, Chamomile, Hawthorn Fruit, Cranberry pieces, Honeybush, Rose and Safflower petals, Vanilla pieces and Natural Flavours. In this episode we highlight the essence of Chamomile, which supports the balance of Yin and Yang and is a lift for the heart chakra.  “I release all fears and help others in need.”  

Set your intention for this discussion

As we were thinking about this conversation, we were inspired by the idea that the grief of our experience with love moves us, and how do we move forward. We move forward by looking to help others as we work with our own grief.

Each episode of the Be Well with Dr. Michelle Greenwell podcast includes the BioEnergetic Wellness Formula.  That means that you have the opportunity to have a healing session while you listen based on the way the content is laid out and the activities we participate in.  Before listening you can create a goal or an intention of where you would like to be heading with an activity or in your life, then make your cup of tea, engage in the activities and celebrate at the end. 

Links to the Podcast

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Resources

Are you looking for more resources?  The best way to find all the resources in one location is by visiting https://linktr.ee/greenwellcenter.  Become a regular listener of the podcast and purchase your own tea blends to assist you in transformation while you listen.  Our podcast is designed to bring balance and flow to your day, week, month, and year.  Thanks for sharing us with others who could also benefit.  Please send us your feedback and a review. 

The Cape Breton Tea Company
Celebrating the tastes and smells found on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada through herbs.

The Greenwell Center for Holistic Health
Harmonizing daily habits for wellbeing through sessions in dance, tai chi, healing arts, and tea

Are you interested in learning more about Ainsley Hamill? Check out her resources here:

www.ainsleyhamill.com

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The post Grief and Connection first appeared on Greenwell Center for Holistic Health.