ISSUE EIGHTEEN
SPRING-SUMMER 2024
AUTHENTICITY: LIVING IN HARMONY WITH YOURSELF
ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN ART OF LIVING SOCIETY HOLISTIC HEALTH
ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN
10 — 13
INSPIRATION
14 — 17
WORLD 20 — 23
SOCIETY
24 — 34
HOLISTIC HEALTH
42 — 55
WELL-BEING AT WORK
58 — 60
CULTURE
62 — 65
À TABLE
72 — 75
Guillaume Lemoine
President
Emilie Lefebvre-Morasse
Vice-President of Marketing and Sales, Editor in Chief
Arianne Filion
Assistant Editor in Chief
Caroline Croteau
Senior Director, Brand and Content
Sarah-Maude Dalcourt
Production and Brand Director
Marie-Eve Trudel
Media Creativity and Brand Content Strategist
Creating a Timeless and Meaningful Interior, by Lysanne St-Laurent
A Beautiful Place for Nothing: An Interview with Pierre-Yves Lord
The Art of Spontaneity, by Franck Laboue
When Disillusionment Creeps into Motherhood: An Interview with Catherine Gauthier and Astrid Hurault de Ligny Flourishing Together: In Search of Multiple “We”s, by Hugues Lefebvre-Morasse What If We Talked About Positive Masculinity? An Interview with Mickaël Carlier
The Power of Frequencies Explained, by Jacinthe Roy Rioux
Salutogenesis: Optimizing the Potential of Your Health, by Jérôme Perreault
Toxic Positivity: Avoiding Unpleasant Emotions at All Costs, by Dr. Valérie Courchesne
The 10 Golden Rules of Remote Work: Comments Collected from Jacques Forest and Manon Truchon
Song Prescriptions, by Nicolas Gendron Ode to Lightness, by Anne-Marie Turcotte
Recipe: White Chocolate Cream and Buffalo Yogurt, by Raphaël Podlasiewicz and Jonathan Schneider Tasting: For the Pleasure of the Senses, by Stéphanie Dupuy
Sarah Lamarche Artistic Director
Catherine Gaudet Linguistic Revisor
Gaëlle Meslin Linguistic Revisor
Bianca Des Jardins Photographer
SLRR Translation Firm Translation
Cover credits
Photo: Matt Charland, Olivier Champeau, Ralph Samson
Printing Imprimerie Solisco Inc.
Advertising sales Christine Mailloux magazine@stromspa.com
To collaborate Arianne Filion on content afilion@stromspa.com
Publisher Strøm Nordic Spa 1001, boul. de la Forêt Nuns’ Island, Quebec H3E 1X9
Legal deposit — ISSN 2369-5897 National Library of Canada and Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. The opinions expressed in the articles of Strøm Magazine are the sole responsibility of the authors. The availabilities, vintages, and prices mentioned in the magazine are subject to change without notice. Any reproduction, in whole or in part, is prohibited without the permission of Strøm Nordic Spa. All rights reserved. Publication mail — 42293512
Strøm Magazine is printed in Quebec on Rolland Opaque30 paper containing 30% post-consumer fibre.
Swimwear: Pøleå, Forest green, Strøm collectionSince the beginning, Strøm Magazine has had the immense privilege of collaborating with experts from all walks of life to write the articles that compose it. With great generosity, they offer us their knowledge and share their perspective—some from season to season, others more occasionally. It is with great pride that we invite you to discover them here.
VALÉRIE COURCHESNE Valérie is a clinical psychologist and postdoctoral researcher. Her great interest in science popularization led her to become a contributor to Strøm Magazine several years ago.
STÉPHANIE DUPUY Landing her first job at the SAQ really got her hooked! Several courses and 18 years in the wine industry later, Stéphanie loves drinking, sharing, and—above all—talking about wine! The sommelière has written for Strøm Magazine since 2008.
NICOLAS GENDRON A cultural journalist for Ciné-Bulles magazine, among other publications, Nicolas has written for Strøm Magazine since 2015. He is also—and above all—an actor, director, author, and artistic director.
FRANCK LABOUE A native of Brittany, Franck is eternally curious. A specialist advisor at Voyageurs du Monde, he ended up settling down in Quebec. He has written for the magazine for nearly six years.
HUGUES LEFEBVRE-MORASSE A designer and an interdisciplinary doctoral student in planning, Hugues specializes in the spatial issues specific to communities of sexual diversity and gender plurality. He has been a faithful contributor to Strøm Nordic Spa for many years.
JÉRÔME PERREAULT A kinesiologist and physiotherapist by training, Jérôme works to improve the well-being of his patients using a holistic approach to physical health.
ROY RIOUX An artist of words and images, Jacinthe explores the relationship that connects people through history, nature, culture, and holistic and spiritual life. Having participated in the founding of Strøm Nordic Spa, she has written for the magazine from the very beginning.
LYSANNE ST-LAURENT A designer by training and a co-founder of the Vives St-Laurent interior design studio, Lysanne promotes the firm’s projects on the local and international scale by combining her expertise in planning with her love of communications.
ANNE-MARIE TURCOTTE Holding a master’s degree in creative writing, the author works with La Bonne Mine on manuscript evaluation. Her first novel, La terre maternelle , was published in March 2024 by Éditions XYZ.
JACINTHEDear readers,
Fifteen years ago, a new spa experience emerged on Nuns’ Island—the first Strøm Nordic Spa. Today, Strøm is no longer just a spa, but an emblem of excellence and wellbeing. With a team of over 1,300 members, Strøm has built its history on the foundation of unshakeable values: creativity, competence, integrity, benevolence, and diligence.
At the heart of this success is management and leadership that reflect our commitments: authentic and resolutely human. Every interaction, every action taken within our team reflects this integrity. We firmly believe in respecting each other’s ideas, working as a team, and getting everyone involved.
We see our growth not as an end in itself, but as a means of pursuing our primary mission, which is to do good for people and make a meaningful contribution to our community. We are driven by the steadfast belief that we significantly impact our customers’ lives and enhance their everyday quality of life.
Strøm continues to innovate with the construction of the second phase of our Saint-Sauveur location, scheduled to open in 2025. This new chapter is a continuation of our previous achievements. While MontSaint-Hilaire evokes the farmhouse style of the neighbouring orchards and Quebec pays tribute to its industrial past, Saint-Sauveur is a contemporary ode to après-ski. Our inspiration? Quebec’s Laurentian Mountains, with their rocky peaks and wilderness. The new pavilions stand like refuges nestled in the valley, havens where the fire crackles and the river lulls our senses.
Our commitment goes beyond simply building; it’s about creating harmony between the natural environment and the built environment, between respect for the past and our vision for the future. We honour the history and traditions of each region in which Strøm operates.
This project in Saint-Sauveur is the symbol of our ambition: that the authenticity we hold so dear should be reflected in our spas, and that each of our customers should leave feeling enriched and rejuvenated. Strøm is more than a place; it’s a philosophy of life that aims to elevate the self.
As we celebrate 15 years of existence, we invite you to discover and rediscover the Strøm experience. Our unique signature awaits you in five exceptional havens across the province, where nature meets innovation, and where well-being finds its most sincere expression.
Guillaume Lemoine President
What is this indescribable feeling that emerges when we come into contact with striking authenticity, whether through a person, place, or experience? It’s like feeling an echo of truth resonate within us, an instant connection that transcends words and appearances.
Meeting an authentic person is like finding a long-lost friend, where each interaction is imbued with a deep sincerity and a mutual understanding. Likewise, discovering an authentic place transports us to a parallel universe, where each wall, each stone tells a true and timeless story. At the end of the day, being in contact with authenticity inspires us to embrace our own inner truth, reminding us of the power of living in harmony with who we really are.
This edition allows you to discover inspiring stories and unique perspectives that highlight authenticity in all its diversity. Our commitment to creating an open, inclusive, and respectful dialogue, where every voice is valued and each experience honoured, is at the heart of our editorial approach.
In the article on motherhood without taboos, we explore, in an honest and non-judgemental way, the truth of maternal experiences, acknowledging the importance of giving all voices—traditional and unconventional—the chance to speak. We also highlight the crucial role of shelters and safe spaces for members of the queer community, as well as the need for a forum for men wishing to change the experience and perception of masculinity. After all, the need for affiliation is universal.
To address the issue of toxic positivity, we encourage you to think about the importance of recognizing and accepting all our emotions, positive or negative, on our journey to a fulfilling life, understanding that the desire for authenticity also involves being truthful in the way we process our emotions and how we welcome those of others.
Finally, we draw our inspiration from places that reflect their history, trips without fixed itineraries, where every decision is guided by instinct and emotion, as well as ancestral vibrational practices that connect us more deeply to ourselves and the world that surrounds us.
We hope that these articles will inspire you to follow your own path to a more authentic life, which is ultimately the greatest sign of respect that we can show to ourselves.
Happy reading!
Emilie Lefebvre-Morasse and the editorial team“Authenticity is not something we have or don’t have. It’s a practice—a conscious choice of how we want to live.”
– Brené Brown
Creating a timeless and meaningful interior requires a holistic approach, where each element becomes the unifying thread between the past, present, and future. This approach starts with the clever layout of interior spaces, aimed at making them scalable and flexible.
This is also possible by preserving the original architectural elements, which allows singular spaces to be created by establishing links between the traces of the past and the new design elements.
Interiors that inspire a feeling of well-being are marked in particular by a commitment to the senses, such as touch, sight, and even smell. This experience is achieved by meticulously selecting natural materials such as terracotta, slate, wool, or hemp, which allow the space to diffuse relaxing atmospheres synonymous with comfort.
Consequently, the choice of materials plays a crucial role in creating a meaningful interior space. Finally, the promotion of quality objects and the reuse of pieces of furniture also contribute to the creation of unique spaces that are part of the quest for timelessness.
By combining these simple gestures, we move beyond fleeting trends to create spaces that tell a story and shape environments that embody lasting, deeply striking beauty.
“The preservation of original architectural elements is a declaration of love for the history of a place. Every preserved detail is a page in an architectural book, a story that continues through the generations.” – Tadao Ando
PROPER LAYOUT AND PRESERVATION
Harmony in the interior layout combined with the meticulous preservation of the essential architectural elements represents a dedicated approach to creating built environments imbued with character.
By recognizing the inherent value of the original architectural features, such as exposed beams, windows, and brick walls, we infuse a space with a depth and authenticity that span the ages. These elements are not limited to being simple vestiges of the past; they become the narrators of the very history of the space.
The integration of these elements of the past goes beyond mere preservation; it amounts to a celebration of architectural heritage. This approach allows spaces to come alive beyond the present moment.
Preserving the original beams helps give warmth and authenticity to any space.
“Natural
materiality
in architecture is the silent symphony between earth, wood, and light, creating a timeless dialogue with nature itself.” – Frank Lloyd Wright
The careful selection of local, natural materials for our interiors is a wise choice not only for the present, but also for the future. Furthermore, natural materials, such as wood, stone, and linen, provide a warmth and authenticity that resist the fluctuations of trends
Their intrinsic beauty intensifies over time, developing a unique patina and a character that ages well, granting the interior a timeless quality. By investing in quality materials, design becomes a heritage and affirms the commitment to sustainability and timelessness of those who design and inhabit the place.
“In architecture, quality transcends quantity. Each carefully designed element becomes a centrepiece, contributing to the substance and soul of a space, proving that grandeur lies in attention to detail, not in the abundance of elements.” – Alvar Aalto
By emphasizing quality instead of quantity, creating a meaningful interior becomes a resolute quest for sustainability. Choosing timeless, meticulously designed furniture is a sound decision to get away from fleeting design movements. By privileging quality, each element becomes a fully fledged work of art, reflecting exceptional know-how and attention to detail. In this way, the quality of the objects transcends their simple utilitarian function to become the common thread of an interior story, a narrative that evolves and matures with the passing seasons.
Raw and organic, slate is timeless and suitable for many types of spaces.
Photo: © František G.
The play of materials creates interesting contrasts. Here, linen and velvet welcome and gently diffuse the light.
Photo: © Mathilde Langevin
“Reusing is recognizing that each brick, each window, has a story to tell. It’s giving a voice back to these forgotten elements and creating an architectural language that transcends eras.” – Jean
NouvelInfusing our spaces with a warm atmosphere and personalizing our homes becomes an exceptional experience when we choose to do so by giving objects a new life. Instead of simply buying new pieces, reusing existing objects, each with its own history and patina, becomes a form of creative expression.
This approach to personalization creates spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also rich in character and authenticity. By offering objects a second chance, we celebrate not only sustainability, but also uniqueness, to create spaces that truly reflect the soul and personality of their inhabitants.
By forging an interior that is at once timeless and distinctive, we honour our heritage, reaffirm our commitment to sustainability, and celebrate uniqueness. These spaces evolve into living expressions where each object contributes to the story and authentically reflects the essence of those who inhabit them. By adopting this approach, we create spaces that transcend eras, manifesting an enduring and relevant beauty in perpetual evolution.
Founded in 2018, Vives St-Laurent is an interior design studio that operates in the residential and commercial sector. Their approach emphasizes the intersection between aesthetics and functionalism. The team’s work is based on the principle of quality, and they create spaces that are simple, suitable, and without anything superfluous. The studio is interested in the temporality of the design project, where the lines are straight and geometrical, where the textures evoke both what has passed and what is to come.
A timeless décor showcases materials that will stand the test of time.
Photo: © Zhao Yangyang
Curious, energetic, and “chill” by his own admission, Pierre-Yves Lord is a host, producer, and DJ. With more than twenty years of experience in his field, he always has a thousand and one projects on the go, taking advantage of the quieter moments of the year to travel. Recently returned from a stay in the sun, he opened up to us with generosity, truth, and wisdom during an almost contemplative telephone conversation.
PIERRE-YVES LORD
Hello, Pierre-Yves. What does authenticity mean to you? Do you think it’s possible to be authentic in your line of work?
“Oh, authenticity is definitely important, my God! In entertainment, in interviews… in short, in the branch of communications I’ve chosen, we ask for the truth from our guests. When we host certain people, we say to ourselves, ‘Ah, I hope he won’t break out his tape!’ If you ask people to be truthful, and on your side, you’re wearing a mask, playing a character… that’s not fair, and people end up feeling it.
“Authenticity is a quest for people, but also for our life choices. ‘Am I really as loyal as I think? Am I playing a role in front of my family, my friends, my co-workers? Or do I say what I think and assume?’ I don’t think authenticity happens overnight; I think it comes with maturity, and that at the same time, it belongs in some sense to childhood, that it’s taken away from us little by little as we learn to play the game of life.”
And what’s your relationship to positivity? Are you a positive person in life?
“I try, as much as possible. For me, gratitude and positivity are connected. If you’re grateful to be alive, to be supported, you end up seeing beauty in your condition, whatever it is; it’s not any more complicated than that. No matter what life sends my way, I tell myself I can always enjoy the sunshine, listen to people laughing, dance…
“However, recently, I’ve been more tired, and it seems like when the body is about to give up, positivity is one of the first things that can fall by the wayside. Seeing things in a positive light isn’t necessarily a given; it takes effort.
“Always focusing on the negative, especially when we can’t control events, can have a domino effect that’s really devastating and reconfigure our brains in a funny way; I’m sure of it. We are what we think, at the end of the day. I know that sounds like a “Post-It” quote, but I believe it anyway. If you fill your head with bright ideas, they end up shining through in many areas of your life. People sell it to us as the laws of attraction. There’s nothing esoteric about it. When you believe in something and absorb it, it gets reflected.”
In recent years, you’ve been seen getting involved in several projects involving young people, such as Conte pis raconte and 100 génies. Is this just a coincidence?
“Not at all! That was really something I wanted to do. I’ve always had an interest in working with young people, giving them a voice. I think if I hadn’t made my way into communications, I would probably be working in a youth centre today, or something like that.”
What appeals to you about being involved with them?
“There’s a part of me that doesn’t want to get older. I find that aging is a disease. Looking at life through the eternity of childhood is reassuring to me. I love watching my kids grow up and, thanks to my job, being able to contribute even a little to the development of our young people, in all humility.”
What kind of dad are you?
“I’m a curious, fun dad. For their part, my kids would definitely say I’m not as cool as I look on TV. But I’m a father who does what’s possible with the tools I have. My kids are learning to be human beings, and I’m learning to be their father. It’s not always easy.
“Sometimes, I slip back into my teenage mindset. When I’m demanding with them, I remind myself that at 14, I didn’t enjoy shovelling the driveway or folding the laundry either. Now that my kids are teenagers, I try to have more empathy in my parenting, whereas I was stricter when they were younger.”
“There’s a part of me that doesn’t want to get older. […] Looking at life through the eternity of childhood is reassuring to me.”
You were a Strøm ambassador in 2023. What can you tell us about wellness?
“We live in a time when our attention is very focused on material things, but ultimately, if we don’t take the time to settle down and connect with ourselves, it ends up catching up with us.
“We should draw more inspiration from the Scandinavian people, for whom thermotherapy is part of their habits, hygge , all that. Is it any wonder that these people are less stressed, happier, more connected with nature, more sensitive to design, that they think more about the layout of spaces, whether they’re schools, hospitals, restaurants, libraries, so that living environments are more conducive to the overall development of human beings? I think it’s all connected, that we should make more room for relaxation in our lifestyles in Quebec. It’s not laziness, it’s not a vacation; it’s working on yourself. A morning or an afternoon at the spa to regain your energy, to come back rested to the intense pace of daily life… it should be prescribed by the RAMQ!”
Are you able to prioritize relaxation in your daily life, despite a busy schedule?
“Yes, much more now. That, too, is a process. When I was in Nicaragua this winter, I spent several days doing nothing. I got up and went to the edge of the pool, and I didn’t do anything because I didn’t feel like doing anything. I had my book with me and sometimes, I read three pages, took a nap, looked at the birds, baked in the sun. And I didn’t feel guilty, because I needed it. But it’s true that it took me a few days before I got used to this pace and gave myself permission to do nothing at all.
“What’s funny about wanting to take time for ourselves and rest is that at the same time, we often want to perform our relaxation. We post on social media and put ourselves on display to show how relaxed we are. But who do we need to prove this to, really? I don’t think it’s in the spirit of wellness, to have a competitive approach to that and to yourself.”
“A beautiful place for nothing. Doing nothing, looking out a window, going for a walk, jogging a little, experiencing moments as a family… For me, this is important. I’m realizing that there’s something in ordinary life that’s still delicious. The little chaos of the house, the kids squabbling, or a Wednesday night dinner where we’re rushing around because there’s a soccer practice… These are the moments we’ll miss when the house is empty, once the kids have left and we’re older. I don’t want to traumatize them, but sometimes I tell them: ‘Children, everything has an end. One day, this house will fall down and it will be replaced with another one. Everything around you, people, roads… Everything will end at some point, and some things, sooner than we think. So, enjoy and find beauty in ordinary, everyday life.’”
Pierre-Yves with his two children, Édouard and Olivia, and his wife, Mélo.
I saw this green sign at the end of the road. There were names that made my hands tingle; behind that piece of sheet metal was the promise of landscapes which seemed more exciting than the strip of asphalt under my four wheels. After driving under grey clouds for miles, a brighter sun seemed to shine behind the towns listed on that highway sign. I wondered what I was doing there. A few hours later, I had swapped New Orleans for Birmingham. Used to living life at a thousand miles an hour, I had a furious desire for what makes travel essential: the unexpected. Changing your mind like changing your shirt, planning not to plan anything, making improvisation your guiding light… What if that was the secret?
The idea that tomorrow, or even the next hour, won’t unfold according to plan splits people into two categories of travellers: the first group is petrified by the idea of not knowing in advance where they will sleep that night, while the others are galvanized at being able to put on their adventurer’s hat. It was on this road, which took me to Alabama many moons ago, that my traveller’s instinct was transformed. Suddenly, I no longer had a plan. Looking to my right, I could see my wife’s smile, which was sparkling at the idea of crossing through Montgomery and all the history of the old South as the Alabama pines passed by. She was the one who didn’t want to book a hotel; she was the one who was eager to make me slow down to live better. And she was right. As the GPS repeated “turn right” in its monotonous, disembodied voice, I saw myself tuning it out, a weight lifted from my shoulders as I turned the steering wheel to the left. What did the miles, the detours, and the unforeseen events matter? This new state of mind, this disorganized journey started from a simple observation: the best moments, the ones that stay with you forever, are often the ones you didn’t plan.
Orange Beach, Alabama, United States
I had thought about my trip, considered the steps beforehand, all scheduled almost to the day from Florida to Louisiana, without the slightest “margin of error.” One thing is certain: I had preferred to keep driving, stopping at the last moment at this hotel that I had been eyeing for months, on a whim. Because we were in less touristy areas, because it was the off season, everything conspired to give rise to this feeling of impunity for the traveller. It was total freedom, and one of the best trips of my life. This revelation, this way of experiencing travel could suddenly also be applied on a smaller scale—to a trip in Quebec, for example. If we get tired of the city, if we prefer to reach the sea earlier than expected, or rather head inland because the weather forecast is bad, spontaneity can grant all wishes. Embracing the unexpected, even if that meant causing it, had become my new focal point on that Alabama road.
This agility was built over the course of trips and travel companions, like a new spirit that infused each of my projects. I wanted to react according to the situation and my desires. I wanted to follow my emotions. I recently experienced this feeling in Malaysia, which has transformed into “traveller’s blues” that won’t go away since my return. Left with the desire to remove the parking brake from my daily life, a pressing desire for freedom, I wanted to join my best friend, who had also left to follow his emotions to the confines of Asia. Around a sweetened coffee at a kopitiam in the Chinese district of Kuala Lumpur, without even talking to each other, we felt this current of timelessness passing through that moment. “You know what Margot said to me before I left?” he asked me. I was intrigued by what advice our colleague had given him. “What did she say?” “She told me: say yes to everything!” From these very first hours, that was the recurring theme of this trip. Suddenly, I was renting a car, breaking down my mental constraints about the difficulty of the roads where they drive on the left in Malaysia. Simple morning coffees stretched into half-days, new roads led to villages, encounters, unexpected moments. Improvisation had set us free.
Improvisation allows you to discover charming hotels. Photo: © Bianca Des JardinsApplied to other fields, the gift of improvisation has long been recognized for its ability to draw new ideas from original situations. “The spirit of improvisation is a challenge to the creative sense,” as Charlie Chaplin once said. In its most intense form, improvisation applied to travel would therefore amount to willingly missing your connection, getting off the train before the terminus, or boarding the ferry from the neighbouring dock, just to see what awaits you. One of the most powerful adrenaline rushes.
Deciding on the course of your trip in real time, changing your itinerary the same day, shortening one stage by extending another, changing course or even country: Voyageurs du Monde invites you to explore a new way of travelling. In direct and permanent contact with your advisor and the local concierge service, you invent your trip according to your desires, your mood, and what you feel at that moment.
Attracted by the idea of heading off without a schedule, or still undecided? Talk to your advisor: together, you will determine the starting point and the broad outlines of your trip, the type of accommodation you are considering, and your budget. Your plane (or train) ticket and the first night on site are booked. You set off with the essential contacts (those of your privileged advisor and your concierge at the destination) and a WiFi router or an eSIM card, then all you have to do is follow your emotions and improvise.
“[...] the best moments, the ones that stay with you forever, are often the ones you didn’t plan.”
Becoming a mother is a dizzying experience, a lifetime commitment. Although motherhood is intended to be a promise of unconditional love and absolute happiness, it also has its share of difficulties, which can lead some mothers to question the role that they have chosen to play. At the same time, women who don’t have children, by choice or not, have very little voice, even though their relationship to (non-)motherhood is just as rich, complex, and nuanced.
Catherine Gauthier, author of Je pense que j’en aurai pas, and Astrid Hurault de Ligny, author of Le regret maternel, agree that motherhood isn’t for everyone and that it’s important to ask yourself the right questions before taking the plunge.
CATHERINE GAUTHIER
Hello, Catherine. Why did you decide to speak publicly about not having children?
“It can be a funny thing to talk about something that hasn’t happened to you, but the fact remains that motherhood is a question that all women face, whether they end up experiencing it or not. I wanted children, but I ended up not having any, simply because my path didn’t lead me there. I know many women who didn’t have children—aunts, friends—and yet, I’ve heard few of them say clearly that it was because they didn’t want them. Often, it just doesn’t happen, and we never talk about it. So, I noticed that there were many women who weren’t represented, and I found it important to talk about them.”
C.G.Do you have any regrets about your non-motherhood?
“No. However, for some of the women who testified in my book, it was really a kind of mourning, not having had children. It’s a pain that persists, even years later.”
Hello, Astrid. What is the difference between maternal regret and maternal ambivalence?
“Maternal ambivalence is temporary. For example, after a difficult and demanding day with our child, we often only want one thing: to put them to bed. Once they’re in bed, we look at photos of them on our phone, and we feel nostalgic. In short, negative and positive feelings alternate over a short period of time.
“For its part, regret can fade over time, but it tends to be more permanent, or in any event, to take up all the space in the experience of motherhood. It’s asking yourself, ‘If I had to do it all over again, would I?’, and the answer being no. For me, that’s clearly my answer. And it has nothing to do with my son. It’s the role of the mother that’s regretted, not the child. Now that he’s here, he’s here, but if I could have had another choice at the time, knowing everything I would go through, the difficulties I would experience and still experience today, I wouldn’t do it. I realize that I’m not cut out to be a mother, and I could have done much better for myself otherwise. Of course, I put in 200% so that my child doesn’t suffer from my feelings.”
C.G.
A.H.D.L.
Your two journeys suggest that we are poorly equipped, as women, to know what life with a child, or without a child, will be like.
“Definitely. All the mothers we hear from always say how wonderful having a child is. Nobody really says how hard it is, and you won’t know until you experience it.”
“And it’s the only thing in life you can’t go back on. I really thought I wanted children, but I realize that in fact, I hadn’t thought about it all that much, and above all, I didn’t know what I was getting myself into.”
Catherine, during your separation, your mother told you that she was in mourning over not being a grandmother. Do you feel that women are under a great deal of pressure to have children?
C.G.
C.G.
A.H.D.L.
“Totally. It wasn’t cruel for my mother to have said that to me; it’s just that she was so sure she was going to be a grandmother… Like when friends ask: ‘You have a spare room. When are the kids due?’ It’s a very common question, but it shouldn’t be, because it’s all so personal.”
“It’s an intrusive question about a very private subject. We can’t just say whatever we want, even if it doesn’t come from a bad intention. These kinds of questions can be extremely hurtful. Like ‘when is the second one due?’ We don’t know if people have been trying for three years and haven’t succeeded, if there have been difficulties which mean that there won’t be another one...”
A.H.D.L.
And the pressure isn’t the same for men as it is for women.
“It’s true; there’s a double standard. Men have read my book and told me, ‘It’s funny; we’ve never felt that pressure. At the office, no one ever asks me if I want children.’ It’s as if parenthood were relegated to motherhood: it’s women’s business. But no, it takes two to make a child. And the pressure is real. These politicians who talk about ‘Quebec families’… If I don’t have a family, am I still a citizen? Do I count?”
Astrid, how are you able to make peace with the feeling of regret that you experience every day?
“With years of therapy, and more communication as a couple. I also allow myself to go to France for ten days, all by myself. I did that recently, and it did me a world of good. Taking time for myself all alone allows me to feel better. In my role as a mother, I try to trust myself more, listen to myself a little more. My son is growing up, becoming more and more independent, and that helps, too. And writing the book was very therapeutic. I got great feedback. People told me ‘your book really did me good.’ There was even a person one day who told me ‘you saved my life.’ Knowing that my experience was able to help people calmed me down.”
“These politicians who talk about ‘Quebec families’… If I don’t have a family, am I still a citizen? Do I count?”
A.H.D.L.
C.G.
What should we tell future generations of women about motherhood?
“I’m realizing that when you really want something, when you’re convinced of the path to take, rightly or wrongly, it’s easy to ignore certain information that conflicts with your decision, to see others going for it and tell yourself that everything will be alright for you, that you’ll be able to get through it. I hadn’t asked myself if I really wanted children, but I had even spoken with close friends who didn’t want them, and I simply said to myself, ‘I know their vision; I have another one.’ Except that unless we have our feet in it, we don’t know how we will experience it. In short, I think we could ask ourselves all the questions in the world, but there are some things we can’t control.”
“First of all, let’s make one thing clear: it’s a privilege to even be able to ask ourselves if we want children or not. We have access to that choice now, so it’s important to really think about it and ask ourselves the right questions. You shouldn’t have children just because everyone does it. And even if those who do it all seem to get through it, that’s not a good reason either. As women, we’re not governed by our uteruses. We have the right to decide what we do with our bodies. So, I would say to future generations that happiness can be found outside of motherhood, too. I’ve made my peace with that, and I’m cultivating my happiness even if I don’t have children.”
To listen to the full interview hosted by Evelyne Charuest, follow our podcast Centré sur l’équilibre
In the whirlwind of our daily lives, punctuated by busy schedules and multiple obligations, moments dedicated to family can seem like an oasis where we finally settle down. They are often the first circle of “we” into which we are initiated, where we can speak openly and with vulnerability to people like us who understand us.
However, these gatherings can be sensitive moments for some, where isolation affects even those who, despite being present at the table, don’t feel included or welcomed in their own families. What, then, will be the refuges for those who feel removed from daily life, when spaces for authentic connection seem out of reach? In these moments, the search for other “we”s becomes a crucial quest.
This question isn’t intended to minimize the value of the family, but rather to explore the various forms of relationships and kinship that can offer wholeness outside of blood ties. It’s an invitation to broaden our understanding of community and consider other social circles where acceptance, mutual understanding, and the feeling of being an integral part of a welcoming whole take precedence. Thinking about other “we”s therefore becomes a beneficial search for the multiple paths that lead to individual and collective well-being.
The term “kin” goes beyond the concept of family, referring to the notion of people and lineage. “My kin” therefore refers to peers with whom we feel a strong connection stemming from shared experience. From this word comes the notion of kinship (similar to that of relationship), which becomes the central pillar of relationships that emulate (and extend) the family model. These are relationships based on the reciprocity of emotional bonds and unconditional acceptance.
From this quest for meaningful bonds emerges the concept of the chosen family. This is a notion that goes beyond biological ties, allowing each person to form deep ties based on conscious choice rather than genetic chance. Chosen families take various forms, ranging from deep friendships to communities that mutually support each other.
Queer kinship, for example, illustrates this inclusive approach. Historically, queer chosen families were “households” created by those who had been truly and completely rejected by their blood families. These days, they complement caring traditional families and often live with them. They nevertheless remain rich and necessary for finding your community and feeling like you are entering it like you enter your home.
In these chosen families, friends become brothers and sisters at heart, mentors provide caring guidance, and communities emerge around shared identities that are often absent from traditional families. This diversity of kinship enriches human relationships, making chosen families spaces where authenticity is celebrated and resilient bonds form. By understanding kinship as a central pillar of chosen families, we therefore embrace a vision of relationships that goes beyond traditional structures, opening up a path to fulfilling and sometimes-unsuspected connections.
Photo: © Cristina Cerda
Non-mixed groups have existed and made waves for a long time. While they are historically associated with women’s groups resulting from feminist struggles, it is crucial not to overlook the existence of men’s groups as well, and to understand that non-mixed spaces exist as ephemeral enclaves within everyday diversity. However, non-mixed groups are not limited to the male-female dichotomy; they also extend to other forms of identities such as race or sexual orientation.
From this history emerges a new concept, a sort of evolution of nonmixed groups: chosen diversity. Coming together with individuals who share our experiences and values creates a positive dynamic; however, each group can have the autonomy to choose who can join it. Chosen diversity therefore offers an alternative to the constraints of total segregation, allowing for the inclusion of people who don’t necessarily meet all the selection criteria. This deliberate choice guarantees diversity while maintaining a safe atmosphere.
A concrete example of chosen diversity can be observed on Tuesday evenings at BQAM-E, the bicycle mechanics workshop at the Université du Québec à Montréal. Even within a progressive university with one of the largest women’s studies departments in the country, a mechanics workshop nevertheless remains a masculine, even virile space. Women therefore chose to come together to learn mechanics among themselves, far from stereotypical social pressures.
However, the imperatives of masculinity also affect certain men and non-binary people who don’t feel comfortable in traditionally masculine environments. These people are therefore welcome on Tuesday evenings. We might also think of a group of racialized mothers who would like to discuss the challenges of raising children from a visible minority among themselves, but who would also welcome white women with biracial children. In short, this approach demonstrates how creating a safe space for all those who share similar experiences prevails over absolute segregation, thereby fostering inclusiveness and a variety of voices. This is a form of “we” that focuses on both the collective similarities and individual differences that make the group stronger.
Ultimately, the quest for places to come together “among ourselves” is part of a fundamental search for emotional security. Surrounded by loved ones, whether they are bound by blood or chosen, we find the necessary space to express our authenticity and vulnerability, revealing facets of ourselves that we rarely expose on a daily basis. And it is entirely possible that we need to find this feeling in more than one place, in more than one group, in our multiple refuges.
The common expression “safe space” is often used to describe these environments. However, the idea of perfect and complete safety remains out of reach. This is where the emergence of the term “safer space” takes on its full meaning. This nuance highlights the fact that safety is the result of continuous effort, recognizing that the path to total safety is constantly under construction. It also suggests a valuing of risk-taking, where safety is not an end goal, but rather a trajectory on the continuum between inclusivity and exclusivity. In this dynamic, diversity becomes not just tolerated, but celebrated.
By embracing these different facets of community, from chosen families to spaces of chosen diversity, as well as safer spaces, we build a network of “we”s that transcends the traditional limitations of the collective. These spaces not only offer a refuge, but also a rich palette of human experiences, where the celebration of diversity and inclusion are at the heart of well-being. Let’s continue to explore these new forms of “we”s, because it is in the plurality of our relationships that our individual and collective fulfillment lies.
How are traditional codes of masculinity responsible for a widespread feeling of loneliness among men? What are the origins and impacts of this so-called “toxic” masculinity? And above all, what can be done to turn things around? Mickaël Carlier, a social entrepreneur, author, and speaker, hopes to give a voice to positive masculinity by tackling these issues.
Hello, Mickaël. We first knew you as the head of Novae, a media outlet that was dedicated to business practices with a social impact for 16 years. Recently, you founded a site called Des hommes qui changent , a non-profit organization with the objective of promoting positive masculinity. What do you mean by that?
MICKAËL CARLIER
“These days, we talk a lot about problems related to masculinity or masculinities: violence, the societal problems associated with it. The question, therefore, is: how can we talk about masculinity differently, but above all, how can we invent another type of masculinity? Masculinity, and even femininity, come from the patriarchy or certain demands of society. We construct our identity according to certain codes that don’t belong to us personally. We learn that we have to be “like that” to be a man, which is obviously harmful to women, but also to men, and that’s a bit of what I want to highlight. We, too, are prisoners of these patterns, and it would be in our interest to reinvent masculinity.”
Did you say “masculinities?”
“Yes, because on one hand, I don’t have THE recipe, like anyone else. And it’s also because masculinity is a continuum: there are several ways of being a man, and some are more damaging to society than others.”
And where do these ways of being a man come from? Are they innate?
“I’m reading a lot about the subject, and the literature teaches us that there are very few behaviours that are biological. They’re mainly socially constructed. But it’s true that some men still use the biology argument to justify their problematic behaviours, while they have in front of them an opportunity to reinvent their ways of doing things, since they are learned and not innate.”
What are the problems with current masculine social codes?
“We’re told that to be a man, we have to disconnect from our emotions. That we have to be strong, courageous, available, especially in the world of work… infallible, ultimately! And to get there, we learn to detach completely from ourselves—or in any event, mostly. What women know how to do—that is, connect to their emotions, their feelings—as men, we’re told that this is not good.”
And how do we deconstruct these codes?
“The idea behind Des hommes qui changent is to create a platform, a space for discussion and reflection on masculinity or masculinities. Because the problem is systemic: men haven’t had space to vent their frustrations, and the emotion they know is anger, because the other emotions, they haven’t been taught to recognize them and make something out of them. And even anger, what do they do with it? It’s just a heap of rage. In my opinion, there is a great collective opportunity to work with men to bring about major social change.”
Do you think there is enough openness among people—men and women—to bring about this change?
“Yes. And I hope that the men who are going to do the work will then be able to talk about it to their brothers, cousins, and that the word spreads, instead of it still being women who have to carry the message. Can we finally have male ambassadors?
“I get the feeling that I would have understood things much faster if it had been guy friends who had talked to me about them. I have plenty of feminist friends, but I felt the finger pointed at me a lot as a man, and rightly so. Except, obviously, that didn’t put me in a position of openness… On the other hand, if we talk among men, we can understand each other, talk about our frustrations, and take action afterward.”
What can you tell us about male loneliness?
“I think loneliness is THE thing all men have in common. And that’s normal. As for myself, I’ve experienced it and I’m still experiencing it, to a certain extent. We cut ourselves off from our emotions, so we’re incapable of knowing what’s going on inside and unable to tell others about it. That doesn’t help us feel less alone. We mustn’t express what we feel, we have to be strong: it’s untenable as a situation. We become pressure cookers ready to explode at any minute.”
Among women, our friends often offer us a space to open up, share what we feel, and confide in each other. Would you say that this is also the case for men?
“Absolutely not. No, the answer is definitely no. Among men, you should never take the risk of being too intimate, because if that’s the case, it means you’re gay, and you absolutely can’t be gay in our patriarchal system. Unfortunately, we’re still caught up in this mindset today.
“All the men I talk to tell me that if they were able to confide in anyone, it was their spouse. That’s another commonality: the confidante is the spouse. The day the spouse leaves or there’s a breakup, there’s no one left. We return to loneliness.
“And the guy friends, they’ll go play sports, they’ll go to the restaurant, they’ll go for a bike ride, but talking about intimacy, sexual problems, money problems, health problems? Men don’t talk about that.”
So, this means that men can spend time together, but it remains superficial?
“Exactly. I’ve been organizing men’s talking circles for a few months. Recently, one of them explained to us that he had just returned from a weekend at a cottage. He had spent three days with friends. Only his guy friends, no spouses. And yet, he was incapable of telling us how each of them was doing; they had said nothing of substance to each other for three days at a cottage.”
How do you explain that?
“Because it’s prohibited in the masculine codes that come from the patriarchy. Because there’s no place for that; we’re not taught that language. What emotion can we put on what lies within us, apart from anger and “I’m frustrated?” We don’t learn those words. And I’ve written a book, so I have a good vocabulary! But to talk about that, I see that it’s a task that I’ve been developing in recent years. “I’m not feeling well inside” doesn’t say much. It says the start of something, but it’s not enough. So, to then develop a real conversation between men, we don’t have the vocabulary, we don’t have the ease, so we don’t let ourselves go there.”
To listen to the full interview hosted by Evelyne Charuest, follow our podcast Centré sur l’équilibre
In Quebec City or the Eastern Townships, recharge your batteries at one of the Bora Boréal cottages on the water and enjoy a unique high-end experience. Allowing for unparalleled immersion in nature, the Bora Boréal experience has been designed with responsible water and energy consumption in mind, for an eco-friendly stay from start to finish.
Just 30 minutes from downtown Quebec City, the MiniBora cottages, with a capacity of two to four people, offer you a panoramic view of the mountains and several activities to do nearby, such as hiking, fishing, and swimming.
In the Eastern Townships, the MiniBora and BoraVilla cottages await you, ready to accommodate up to six people. Here, the site is surrounded by farmland marked by a remarkable tranquility. Located in the heart of the MontMégantic International Dark-Sky Preserve, the site is the perfect place for stargazing. A skylight installed right above your bed will also allow you to do so in total comfort!
ACTIVITIES IN HARMONY WITH NATURE
Kayaking, paddleboarding, open-water swimming in the lake, picnicking, enjoying the fireplace… The sites are full of outdoor activities. Each cottage is also equipped with its own patio, revealing a breathtaking view of the landscape and the surrounding calm. At Bora Boréal –Eastern Townships, the thermal baths and a relaxation space are also at your disposal to enjoy a memorable stay in all seasons!
Get 20% off a stay of 2 nights or more with promo code BORASTROM20 at boraboreal.com. Valid until May 31, 2024, and from September 15, 2024, to May 31, 2025.
Photo: © Bianca Des Jardins
During your visit to one of the five Strøm locations, create your own facial care ritual and try products thanks to a self-serve station. Full of active ingredients from the boreal forest, skin care products will allow you to enjoy a moment of wellness suited to your needs, both at the spa and at home.
Visit stromspa.com to discover the full skin care line.
“If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency, and vibration.” – Nikola Tesla
Have you ever felt the instant desire to leave a place as soon as you entered it? Conversely, have you ever experienced deep joy in the presence of a person, in a particular place, or by listening to a few musical notes? Everything that exists in this world emits its own frequencies. These frequencies aren’t just abstract concepts; they exert a tangible influence on our overall well-being, our feeling of connection, our ability to prosper, and our aptitude for living fulfilling lives.
Each thought triggers a frequency, each spoken word creates a sonic sphere, and each emotion generates a vibration. How can we exploit these frequencies? Our ancestors integrated them into language, art, and music. From Pythagoras to Sufi mystics, from Buddhist monks to contemporary composers, sonic vibrations have been used as powerful forces to influence us in body, soul, and spirit.
Sound healing is a therapeutic approach that harnesses the power of sonic and vibrational frequencies to promote overall well-being. Among the most popular alternative medicine techniques, sound healing is gaining in recognition, focusing on the individual as a whole rather than specific dysfunctions.
The essence of sound healing lies in listening to specific tones and sounds. The objective is to expose the body to healing frequencies capable of stimulating, soothing, or balancing the energy centres. This approach works by aligning the energies and frequencies of the body in a harmonious state, thereby offering a promising alternative. Tools such as tuning forks, the voice, Tibetan bowls, and crystal bowls are used to generate specific sound frequencies, revealing a world of holistic benefits.
The tangible advantages of sound healing are increasingly recognized, including improvements in brain function, sleep, and mood, as well as reduced anxiety, pain, and depression. Recent scientific studies highlight the validity of this approach, the major advantage of which lies in its non-invasive nature, requiring no physical manipulation or medication.
As explained by Dr. Mitchell Gaynor, former director of medical oncology and integrative medicine at the Cornell Cancer Prevention Center in New York: “If we accept that sound is vibration and we know that vibration touches every part of our physical being, then we understand that sound is heard not only through our ears but through every cell in our bodies. One reason sound heals on a physical level is because it so deeply touches and transforms us on the emotional and spiritual planes. Sound can redress imbalances on every level of physiologic functioning and can play a positive role in the treatment of virtually any medical disorder.”
Sonic vibrations have the ability to reach deep into the energy system, facilitating the liberation of buried emotions and promoting emotional balance and overall well-being. This facet of sound healing meets the needs of those looking for alternative or complementary approaches to traditional methods for healing their emotional wounds and encouraging self-exploration.
The use of Tibetan bowls is full of unsuspected powers. Photo: © Bianca Des JardinsRecent research on healing frequencies, also known as Solfeggio frequencies, reveal their ability to influence brain activity, thus paving the way to potential innovations. Fascinating studies demonstrate their healing impact, revealing interesting prospects for integrating sound frequencies into various therapeutic approaches.
According to Yan Dal Santo, a composer, sound designer, and sound therapist, the healing potential of sound is undeniably measurable. Simply put, sound can be considered a moving wave. As it spreads, this wave creates the sensation of a sound, and as it passes through the body, it exerts an influence. It is not surprising that this interaction has direct repercussions on physiology. It is precisely on this principle that the art of sound healing is based. To quantify sound, hertz (Hz) is used as a unit of measurement, representing the number of cycles per second of a frequency.
“These frequencies have been omnipresent since the world has been the world,” explains Dal Santo. The adoption of hertz in the late 19th century offered us an essential method for quantifying the intangible, allowing us to better tame the vibrational phenomena that surround us. Measuring hertz makes it possible to characterize different forms of energy manifestations, such as sound waves.
Himalayan bowls can be considered a form of vibrational massage, the sound therapist adds. As they spread through the body, the sound frequencies emitted by these bowls act as an energetic massage, penetrating the different layers of being and realigning the energies of the body in order to reduce ailments, considering the individual as a whole.
As the creator of the iconic Strøm Nordic Spa soundtrack, Dal Santo was entrusted with a dual mission: to provide an immersive musical experience, and to convey the sensation of wellness felt after a massage.
It all starts with the sound of the crystal bowl, followed by an atmospheric chakra meditation, where five of the Solfeggio frequencies (417 Hz, 528 Hz, 639 Hz, 741 Hz, 852 Hz) alternate. The skillful use of these frequencies aims to modulate tension and relief. As the composer explains, what captivates the human ear is the polarity in the sounds. Dissonance acts as an energetic catalyst, releasing blockages and infusing new vitality. We are talking here about tension and resolution. Finally, chakra meditation aims to realign the fundamental frequencies of the body to create a sensation of harmony.
The influence of musicality is not limited to the body; it also extends to the emotions. These are not directly connected to frequencies in hertz, but rather to musical harmony. By combining frequencies in hertz with this harmony, you can create a unique tuning that realigns the frequencies of the body and provides an enriching emotional experience.
Dr. Glen Rein, director of the Quantum Biology Research Laboratory in New York, recently conducted a study on the use of the 528 Hz frequency, which has long been integrated into sacred music. Experiments demonstrated resonance in DNA with healing effects when audible 528 Hz sound waves were transmitted, originating from various musical genres.
The influence of musical genres on frequency is particularly fascinating. Sacred music that integrates Solfeggio frequencies, such as Sanskrit mantras or Gregorian chants, demonstrates an increase in frequency ranging from 5% to 9%, while popular music is generally between 1% and 2%. This highlights the crucial importance of integrating Solfeggio frequencies into the process of musical composition.
In 1952, German physicist Winfried Otto Schumann discovered electromagnetic waves between the Earth and the ionosphere, creating what is known as Schumann resonance, a frequency between 7.86 Hz and 8 Hz, also nicknamed the “heartbeat of our planet.” Later researchers, including Herbert König, demonstrated that these resonances correspond to human brain wave states.
Solfeggio frequencies resulting from this resonance bring together various vibrational frequencies associated with physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits.
Recent research reveals that 432 Hz, for example, can slow down the heart rate, while 528 Hz shows potential for repairing the cells of the body.
The 174 Hz frequency, considered a “painkiller,” helps relieve various ailments and reduce physical and emotional stress while driving away negative energies.
The 285 Hz frequency acts as a stimulant for the energy network, which could promote the healing of emotional wounds, the harmonization of relationships, and the activation of creativity.
Slowing down the heart rate, the 432 Hz frequency promotes stress reduction, improved sleep, and harmonization with nature.
The 417 Hz frequency, associated with the liberation of emotional trauma, is considered the frequency of personal transformation.
Nicknamed the “frequency of love,” the 528 Hz frequency is surprisingly linked to DNA repair, physical and emotional healing, and the elevation of consciousness.
Good to know: crystal bowls are now part of the massage therapy experience provided at Strøm Nordic Spas.“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)
This Biblical passage transports us to the early stages of creation, where the creative act was a word, a vibration. The beginnings of the universe are marked by a great vibrational event. Creation is sound, and sound is a manifestation of divinity.
Everything in existence is energy, and each vibrating element produces a sound as a result of the movement of particles in the air, which can be measured in hertz. These explorations lead us to meditate on our fundamental nature and the interconnectedness of sound, energy, and life. As Nikola Tesla, an inventor, electrical engineer, and physicist, put it so well: “If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency, and vibration.”
Each word, each thought, and each expression in life emits a vibration, making us creators. Although contemporary scientists are just starting to grasp the implications of Tesla’s affirmations, our daily actions have a creative nature far beyond what might be considered ordinary.
The Ancients recognized the power of sound, frequencies, and vibrations, a conviction firmly rooted in the significant presence of sound and music within religious practices, ranging from prayers to mantras to the most primitive rituals. Ancestral practices such as singing, dancing, and drumming were once considered essential instruments for reconnecting with the self and connecting with others. Dating back to Antiquity, the philosophers of the time considered music to be true medicine for the soul, a powerful tool of healing powered by vibrations.
These days, in an era of global uncertainty, more and more people are turning to energy practices. This exploration inevitably brings us back to the most ancient practices, reminding us that even in this period of the rapid evolution of the world, ancient wisdom persists.
Each of our words, thoughts, and emotions emits vibrational strengths, creating a frequency that attracts similar energies, acting according to the law of resonance.
Our words and thoughts are the architects of our reality and the environment we inhabit. Since energy is contagious, awareness and positive application can transform our reality in a constructive way. The expansion of this consciousness invites us to pay special attention to our language and the words we use.
Our vibrational signature, which reflects our being in its entirety, has a direct influence on our life experiences. By harnessing resonance and harmonizing with universal frequencies, sound healing seeks to elevate our vibrational energy.
By grasping the principle of resonance, we realize that we are a reflection of the universe, and that the universe in turn reflects our humanity. This understanding broadens our perspective on the deep interconnectedness between our individual existence and existence as a whole, highlighting the importance of our actions in the great concert of Life.
Sources
Calamassi, D. and Pomponi, G. P. (2019). “Music tuned to 440 Hz versus 432 Hz and the health effects: A double-blind cross-over pilot study.” Explore , 15(4), 283-290. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2019.04.001
Chalmers, D. J. (1997). The conscious mind: In search of a fundamental theory (philosophy of mind) (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
Goldsby, T. L. and Goldsby, M. E. (2020). “Eastern integrative medicine and ancient sound healing treatments for stress: Recent research advances.” Integrative Medicine , 19(6), 24–30. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7819493/
Hunt, T. and Schooler, J. W. (2019). “The easy part of the hard problem: A resonance theory of consciousness.” Frontiers in Human Neuroscience , 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2019.00378
Müller, H. H. O., Moeller, S., Lücke, C., Lam, A. P., Braun, N., and Philipsen, A. (2018). “Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) and other augmentation strategies for therapy-resistant depression (TRD): Review of the evidence and clinical advice for use.” Frontiers in Neuroscience , 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2018.00239
Plitkins, M. (2022, December 21). “Think you’ve heard it all? New research into ‘the science of sound’ proves otherwise.” Forbes https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2022/12/21/think-youve-heard-it-all-new-research-into-the-science-of-soundproves-otherwise/?sh=425c3d6c684b
Smith, G. H. (2022, May 27). “Healing with frequencies – the new frontier in energy medicine.” The International Center for Nutritional Research. https://icnr.com/alternative-medicine/healing-with-frequencies/
As explained previously, vibration refers to the periodic movements of particles, and frequency measures the number of changes in a unit of time, expressed as hertz (Hz), which is also used to measure sound. Quantum physics confirms that each atom or molecule vibrates at a specific frequency.
Pascal Fries, a neurophysiologist at the Ernst Strüngmann Institute, played a key role in the study of gamma, theta, and beta waves, which represent different neuronal oscillation speeds. He introduced the concept of “communication by coherence,” emphasizing that neuronal synchronization is essential for effective communication.
In other words, the synchronization of the “movements” shared between neurons allows for fluid communication. These discoveries suggest that human consciousness emerges from “cerebral harmony.”
These ideas influenced the resonance theory of consciousness advanced by Jonathan Schooler, professor emeritus of psychological and brain sciences at the University of California at Santa Barbara: consciousness lies in synchronized vibrations, called resonance.
From atoms to living beings (animals, plants, humans), everything vibrates at different frequencies. Resonance occurs when objects, made up of atoms, or living organisms gradually synchronize, creating spontaneous self-organization, a powerful and mysterious phenomenon.
A concrete example of this synchronization occurs in women who, when they interact frequently or live together, may see their menstrual cycles naturally synchronize. Another fascinating example can be observed when several metronomes are placed in the same room without initially being tuned. After a few minutes, these metronomes end up spontaneously synchronizing their beats, thereby illustrating the intriguing concept of resonance in dynamic systems.
Another example that illustrates the concept of resonance can be found in the field of acoustics. If you have ever played guitar, you may have noticed that when you play a string, a similar string on another nearby guitar may start weakly vibrating without being directly touched. This is an example of acoustic resonance, where the vibration of one string influences the sympathetic vibration of an identical string, even if they are not physically connected. This simple demonstration illustrates how resonance can occur in complex systems, even remotely.
Resonance frequency can be used and amplified to cause destruction or construction events. In other words, by understanding and acting on the frequency at which something naturally vibrates, objects can either be destroyed by amplifying these vibrations or structures can be built by using these vibrations in a controlled way.
Resonance therefore constitutes the foundation not only of human consciousness, but of physical reality as a whole.
Nowadays, our vision of health is based on our knowledge and understanding of the factors leading to its deterioration. Scientific studies, pharmacology, and even the way that Western medicine is taught focus primarily on the processes causing the onset and development of illness. This perspective is referred to as “pathogenesis.”
Of course, focusing on the causes and development of pathologies is beneficial, and even necessary to our survival. However, this approach seems to negatively affect our collective vision of health by cultivating a reactive rather than preventive way of caring for it. Indeed, in our society, we are in the habit of going to see our family doctor (if we even have one!) only when there is a problem, and rarely to implement healthy lifestyle habits with them aimed at ensuring our well-being. We also tend to view the doctor as the only expert on our health, without considering our individual and social responsibility or all the other factors that influence our health on a daily basis. In addition, when a pathology occurs, the solution is often medication. While this offers rapid and effective relief, it does not attack the origin of the problem (when this is relevant) and unfortunately does not rule out the risks of a relapse.
These days, therefore, we define health as the absence of its opposite: disease. The goal of salutogenesis is instead to reflect on our ability to create health.
In the 1970s, a medical sociologist by the name of Aaron Antonovsky conducted an epidemiological study aimed at determining the impacts of traumatic and stressful events on the intensity of perimenopause symptoms in women. In order to collect valid results, Antonovsky carried out a classic research protocol by comparing a group of women with a generally stable life history (control group) to another group made up of women who experienced traumatic events, including some who had survived concentration camps during the Second World War (experimental group).
The results of the study were relatively obvious: women who experienced events causing high levels of stress had more severe and intense symptoms. However, Antonovsky observed that within the experimental group, a small number of women had achieved results very similar to those of the control group. More specifically, nearly one third of those who had survived concentration camps were revealed to be in good
psychological health. In the context of an epidemiological study, it would have been customary to interpret these results simply as outliers that had no bearing on the main conclusions of the research. Antonovsky nevertheless decided to push the research further to understand why and how these women who had undergone traumatic experiences could show signs of a healthy and prosperous life.
This curiosity was the trigger for the study on salutogenesis, or the theory of the origins of health. After carrying out new research with these women through interviews and questionnaires, Antonovsky was able to reach the following conclusion: the women used the resources at their disposal to promote their health.
The theory of salutogenesis overturns the dichotomous classification of Western medicine according to which an individual is either healthy or sick. Conversely, it illustrates health as a continuum. Throughout our lives, we move along this continuum: the fulfillment of our basic needs, access to the necessary resources, and healthy lifestyles lead us toward health (ease); illness, physical and psychological trauma, and poor lifestyles push us in the direction of sickness (dis-ease).
Now, let’s explore the different elements that allow human beings to move along this continuum.
Resources, known as “general resistance resources,” are a fairly broad concept. A resource can be internal, specific to oneself, such as knowledge about a specific subject. Knowing a lot about the health benefits of physical activity, for example, will encourage us to adopt an active lifestyle. A resource can also be external, such as help from a caregiver. Or it can be physical, such as an access ramp for wheelchairs, or intangible, such as a social support system.
A person uses and develops their sense of coherence when they understand the existence of the two notions previously described—namely, that health moves constantly along a continuum, and that they need to identify and use the resources around and within them wisely.
The sense of coherence allows individuals to be more resilient to the elements of daily life and maintain or—if necessary—improve their quality of life.
The sense of coherence is made up of three components:
An understanding of life events (cognitive component).
A person who understands what is happening is more capable of dealing with difficult situations.
The ability to handle them (behavioural and instrumental component). People feel that they have sufficient and necessary resources to meet their needs. Having control helps people live better and healthier lives.
The ability to give meaning to them (motivational component). Life has meaning, and the problems encountered are considered challenges rather than obstacles. Assigning meaning to events increases people’s motivation to make an effort to cope with them.
Outside the theoretical context, it is important to emphasize that we do not all come into the world in the same circumstances. In a purely arbitrary manner, some are born in perfect health and will have the resources conducive to maintaining their well-being available to them throughout their lives, while others come into the world with unfavourable hereditary conditions or very little community and social support.
With this observation in mind, we might therefore wonder if our health really depends on us. Salutogenesis responds that anyone, whoever they are, can aspire to well-being. This is illustrated well by the analogy of the river.
The river has two currents. The first, linear and constant, represents time: it is impossible for us to swim against this current. The second current represents the oscillation between well-being and ill-being, between life and death. It leads us toward a waterfall which runs along the entire length of the river and becomes more intense the
closer we get to the fall. It is possible and obviously preferable to swim against this current to avoid falling into the waterfall and—at the same time—putting an end to our journey.
Our journey in the river of life begins from the moment we are born. By pure chance, some people are born far from the waterfall (healthy) with life jackets (resources). They are therefore advantaged. Others, unfortunately, begin their journey very close to the waterfall and will therefore have to make more of an effort, over a longer or shorter period, to guarantee their well-being. The essential element to remember is that whatever our position in the river, we have the power to keep moving, swim harder, seek out resources, and keep ourselves away from the current dragging us toward the waterfall.
The ultimate goal is to never stop swimming. Even if the current seems insurmountable, even if it seems easier to let it carry you away, you always have the power to improve your lot in life and move toward calmer waters. Become aware of your situation, take advantage of the resources around you, and give meaning to your actions. Salutogenesis teaches us that we should not take our health for granted or see obstacles to it as inevitabilities, because it is always possible to take control of our well-being.
Sources
Antonovsky, Aaron. (1996, March). “The salutogenic model as a theory to guide health promotion.” Health Promotion International, 11(1), 11–18.
Lindström, B. and Eriksson, M. (2005, June). “Salutogenesis.” J Epidemiol Community Health , 59(6), 440-2. DOI: 10.1136/ jech.2005.034777. PMID: 15911636; PMCID: PMC1757059. Mittelmark, M. B. and Bauer, G.F. (2016, September 3). “The Meanings of Salutogenesis.” In: Mittelmark, M. B., Sagy, S., Eriksson, M., et al., editors. The Handbook of Salutogenesis [Internet]. Cham (CH): Springer; 2017. Chapter 2. PMID: 28590655.
Being told that it could always be worse when bad news is announced or “there are plenty of other fish in the sea” when we are heartbroken isn’t always what we want to hear! While these words are always well-intentioned and aimed at comforting us, in the long term, they might well end up having the opposite effect. This is what is known as toxic positivity.
CAN POSITIVITY REALLY BE TOXIC?
We live in a society where there is little room for emotions such as anger, resentment, sadness, and even stress. These emotions are often described as negative, and not expressing or feeling them is valued in many environments. For example, someone who never gets angry or who always seems in full control of their emotions is often admired. This can encourage the denial of unpleasant emotions and a positivity taken to the extreme, which can actually become toxic.
Toxic positivity is the denial or rejection of so-called “negative” emotions. It is the idea that we should always maintain a positive attitude, regardless of the situation in which we find ourselves, but also regardless of the emotions we feel. Expressions such as “see the glass half-full,” “everything happens for a reason,” and “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade” are all examples of valuing positivity to the detriment of certain emotions. Many psych-pop works or articles encourage these types of practices, claiming for example that you just have to smile in front of the mirror to feel better or say a positive sentence such as “it’s going to be OK” out loud to influence the outcome of a difficult situation.
Until now, few studies have examined toxic positivity in itself, as the concept is quite recent. Little is therefore known about individual predispositions to toxic positivity. It can be hypothesized that it could more strongly affect people who may have been exposed to very negative parents or environments, and who built themselves up by adopting excessive positivity to defend themselves in this environment. Individuals who grew up around people who left little or no room for unpleasant emotions, and who advocated positivity at all costs, might also adopt these so-called “toxic” positive behaviours. Phrases such as “don’t cry,” “stay strong,” “be brave,” “don’t think about it too much,” and “focus on the positive” may encourage the person to repress difficult emotions and discourage them from expressing them.
Excessive positivity can indeed become toxic and have harmful effects. First of all, because all emotions are important: whether they are pleasant or not, they all play a role, on both the individual and collective level. Anger encourages us to fight against injustices or assert our rights. Sadness allows us to receive support from our loved ones, and bitterness leads us to set limits with certain people who may have wronged us in the past, for example.
On the personal level, it can lead us to deny our own unpleasant emotions or to mask those deemed less acceptable. Good mental health doesn’t mean being happy all the time or never feeling unpleasant emotions. It’s true that being able to see the positive in more difficult moments can be helpful, but staying positive regardless of the context isn’t. Rejecting the negative aspects of a situation and the emotions associated with them doesn’t help us feel better, and can even have the opposite effect by generating guilt and shame about the emotion felt.
Instead of devoting effort and energy to repressing your emotions, why not work instead on accepting, understanding, welcoming, and naming them appropriately? This advice also applies to children! As a parent, it can be tempting to protect our children from situations that could generate unpleasant emotions. But to be able to become a functional and happy adult, it is necessary for the child to learn how to recognize, work through, and express the difficult emotions that they feel. They are part of the human experience, and we will unfortunately be doing the child a disservice by trying to protect them from these situations at all costs.
Excessive positivity can also harm our interpersonal relationships. Firstly, being able to feel and—above all—express the right emotions to our loved ones allows us to receive the appropriate response from those around us. Then, by being able to listen to and welcome the emotions shared by the people around us without judgement or opposition, we are capable of validating them and making our loved ones feel that they have been heard and that they can confide in us without fear. This promotes more open communication and more authentic relationships. Conversely, adopting an exclusively positive discourse by saying to your friend that it’s not so bad, it could be worse, they will come out of it stronger, for example, may send the message to the other person that their emotions are not legitimate, that they are not up to the task, and thereby make them feel misunderstood. Repeatedly exposed to this type of reaction, there is a good chance that the person will eventually decide not to confide in others anymore, or even to deny their emotions.
If some of our loved ones tend to fall into toxic positivity when we open up to them, it may be helpful to mention to the person we are addressing that we don’t expect them to make us feel better or find a solution to the shared issue, but to simply listen to us and validate our feelings. We all have that need to be heard, to feel understood, and to have confirmation that our emotions are normal. The good news is that listening and normalizing what the other person is feeling is actually simpler than trying to find a solution! Most of the time, this approach will also be more effective at helping the other person feel better. Here are four concrete examples of phrases that let you acknowledge the other person’s feelings and express your support without falling into toxic positivity.
Instead of the first sentence, say the second sentence:
It’s not so bad.
I see that this situation is making you (sad, angry, etc.).
It will be alright.
I’m here for you.
Keep smiling.
What can I do that would make you feel good right now?
Don’t cry.
Do you want a hug?
It could be worse.
This situation must not be easy for you.
Everything happens for a reason.
I know it’s not easy right now, but I’m hopeful that you will be able to get through this ordeal, and I will be here to help you.
In conclusion, I would encourage you to practice validating their difficult emotions when some of your loved ones share their experience with you. Then, observe the beneficial effect on your relationship with them! Of course, don’t hesitate to apply the same approach and show the same compassion to your own emotions.
You ensure balance around you; let us be yours for a moment.
Photo: © Bianca Des Jardins
While the year 2020 marked the start of the pandemic, it also marked the advent of remote work. For four years now, workers whose jobs allow it have been fulfilling their roles more than ever from home. And especially in Canada, which stands out on the international stage as one of the places where people work the most from home. In Quebec, one in five people work from home, making it the province with the second highest proportion of remote workers after Ontario.
Over the past four years, what are the major trends and best practices that experts have been able to identify with respect to this new way of working? To find out, we met with Jacques Forest, professor of organizational behaviour at UQAM, and Manon Truchon, full professor at the School of Psychology at Université Laval, who offer us 10 tips to make the most of the advantages of remote work while avoiding its disadvantages.
1. PRIVILEGE THE HYBRID FORMULA
JACQUES FOREST: “The Gallup firm shows that for jobs where remote work is possible, the hybrid formula should be favoured: two or three days per week at home, and two or three days at the office. Among other benefits, this makes it possible to support the creation of deep ties—that is, more meaningful relationships with colleagues, which are more difficult to create remotely.”
MANON TRUCHON: “The literature varies, because sometimes as little as 20% in-person work is recommended, or one day out of five. Alternating between home and the office allows people to cut down on commute times and enjoy more flexibility and autonomy, but also to meet their needs for socialization and belonging, which are quite universal.”
2. LISTEN TO YOUR PERSONAL PREFERENCES M. T.: “Our personality also influences the space we would like to make (or not) for remote work. For example, people who tend to ruminate will probably prefer to be surrounded by others to be able to confide in and discuss with their colleagues. Those who are more isolated in their everyday lives and whose social life revolved around work are also likely to benefit from an increased presence at the office.
“Conversely, some people love to be alone, and the more they are alone, the better and more concentrated they are. For them, it may be advisable to work remotely most of the time, if their job allows it.”
3. MARK OFF PROPERLY FOR BETTER RECOVERY
J. F.: “The work of Sabine Sonnentag, a professor of organizational and work psychology in Germany, shows that when we expend energy, whether at work or elsewhere, it’s not a problem. The problem is when we can’t recover it. On a daily basis, we have three energetic ‘batteries’: we have a certain amount of physical, mental, and emotional energy. As long as remote work is properly marked off and doesn’t interfere with our personal lives, it can be an ally in the efficient recovery of these three types of energy.
“For example, a Swiss researcher demonstrated that commuting—that is, going to work and coming back home, at the rate of one hour on the way there and one hour on the way back—was as damaging for an employee’s mental health as losing their job. So, if remote work helps mitigate the effects of this time-consuming component of work, it becomes an ally in recovering energy. However, it has also been shown that it’s good to have a buffer zone between your work life and your personal life, which should be around 15 to 20 minutes. It is therefore a question of balance.”
4. SET UP
M. T.: “If you don’t have to commute to get to work, you should find other ways to create buffer zones between work and home. To do this, it’s best to have a room dedicated to work in your home, where you don’t go when you’re not working. This allows you to create a physical barrier between your work life and your personal life.
“Otherwise, you can turn to psychological barriers. Turning off your devices after finishing work and not touching them again for the rest of the evening can be a great starting point. Then, take a few minutes to decompress after your work day instead of diving immediately into your family life. This doesn’t need to be complicated; it can be as simple as drinking a cup of tea, calling a friend, taking a walk for a few minutes, or listening to a song.”
5. EMPHASIZE DISCONNECTION
M T.: “The flexibility that remote work has allowed us to gain is excellent for our mental health, but being connected 24/7 isn’t a good idea for either our mental or physical health. Establishing a schedule and setting daily and weekly goals to be achieved is good, but on the other hand, you also have to develop healthy habits in terms of life, sleep, food, rest, and exercise. It should be noted that one of the disadvantages of remote work is that it leads to an increasingly sedentary lifestyle and therefore an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and musculoskeletal disorders, as certain studies report.”
6. ESTABLISH A STRUCTURE
J. F.: “With respect to disconnection, currently, either employers allow employees to be completely free to do whatever they want or they put very strict rules in place. What you should aim for is neither control nor total freedom, but structure. For example, an employee who sends emails outside of office hours while specifying that they don’t expect an immediate response will establish a structure that won’t compromise either their freedom, because they can continue to send emails whenever they want, or that of their recipients, who can reply when they see fit.”
7. USE COMMUNICATION TOOLS SPARINGLY
M. T.: “Today’s communication tools allow us to easily stay in contact with our team, even remotely. However, we are often overwhelmed by videoconference meetings of all sorts! As a manager, you have to ensure that communication with and between your employees remains clear and—above all— efficient. Too many meetings is just as bad as not enough.”
M. T.: “The telephone has gradually been abandoned, but let’s not forget that we can get in touch with a colleague without necessarily having to see each other! It’s often faster, and it takes less energy.”
J. F.: “According to a model used by more than 600 researchers on the planet, motivation consists of three ‘psychological vitamins’ or needs: competence, autonomy, and affiliation.
“The need for competence consists of setting goals and being able to achieve them while overcoming obstacles, making an effort, and observing results.
“The need for autonomy is met when the employee sees that they have flexibility within certain rules and boundaries established by the company, and that they can act authentically and in line with their values.
“For its part, the need for affiliation is met when the employee has satisfying interpersonal relationships and feel that they belong to a group.
“When these three needs are more met than unmet, an employee will be motivated at work. According to this model, the quality of motivation is more important than the quantity of motivation. This is why people who enjoy their work and feel that what they do every day has meaning are generally the most motivated people.”
J. F.: “In conclusion, my biggest piece of advice would be: don’t be afraid to engage fully in your work, then disengage fully. Interesting lives are the ones where people expend an enormous amount of energy, whether it’s physical, mental, or emotional energy, and then they recover.
Among others, this is one reason why having a boring and undemanding job isn’t stimulating. It’s unnatural: at the end of the day, we haven’t expended enough energy to devote ourselves to real recovery. There is no oscillation between engagement and disengagement, and it’s not motivating. Conversely, being engaged all the time is physically and cognitively impossible. Humans have their limits. They vary from one person to another, and even within the same individual, from one day to the next. There are days where our 100% is yesterday’s 80%.
“In the context of remote work, you have to fully engage, then fully disengage, and you have to plan for these moments of disengagement. Schedule activities or moments after work to unwind completely and recover properly. And above all, don’t check your emails during your personal time! This interrupts and pollutes the mindset of psychological detachment, which is the key ingredient in proper recovery, according to Sonnentag’s work. You have to know how to turn that switch off.”
To listen to the full interview hosted by Evelyne Charuest, follow our podcast Centré sur l’équilibre
A day off + admission to the thermal experience offered by your employer
Disconnection Day is an initiative of Strøm Nordic Spa aimed at promoting balance between work life and personal well-being. Enjoy some well-deserved downtime thanks to this additional annual day off. Offered by your employer, it will allow you to rest and recover at a Strøm Nordic Spa, an exceptional place combining nature and urbanity.
Disconnection is a commitment to our mental and emotional health. By taking the time to disconnect, we recharge our batteries, strengthen our emotional resilience, and improve our ability to manage stress.
Furthermore, disconnection may have positive results on our performance at work. Well-rested employees are usually more productive, more creative, and more capable of making wise decisions. By regularly taking time to recharge, they are also more likely to stay motivated and engaged in their work in the long term.
On their side, by allowing their teams to take advantage of this initiative, employers show that they value the well-being of their employees, which can promote lasting work relationships, reduce absenteeism, and strengthen satisfaction at work, loyalty to the company,
and talent retention. In short, investing in employee well-being often results in better overall performance for the company.
So, ready to make Disconnection Day a wellness tradition at your company? Take the path to a more balanced work life today.
Photo: © Bianca Des JardinsIn these pages, from the first issue, I have had the pleasure of spreading the joys and infinite universes of literature. Now, here I am settling down on the banks of song, a literary art if ever there was one, which I practice in my spare time as a songwriter. The theme of this new issue lifts us up and is perfectly suited to the name of this emerging section, intended for Québécois or French-language music: song prescriptions, which I humbly offer you as remedies for the storms and tempests of life. Happy listening!
“L’amour” a song from the album
C’est drôle la vie, from Christophe Maé, 2023
After looking everywhere for happiness on Il est où le bonheur, Frenchman Christophe Maé tackles another enduring cliché on “L’amour” as a duo with Malians Amadou and Mariam: love. Some will be allergic to it, like the rest are to happiness, but the official video clip is enough to win over even the most jaded. The Ugandan group Masaka Kids Africana, which shares the joy of dance with orphans in the country, is invited to the floor first, and the children move with all their soul and a smile to convince us that this is a pervasive feeling, dizzying and stirring all at once. So strong that it can make us “fumer une cigarette” (smoke a cigarette), but then make us butt out almost instantly! Amadou and Mariam’s synthesizers will quickly loosen up your legs, and Maé’s gravelly voice will reconcile you—or not—with the cliché which is nicely reactivated at the turn of childhood.
Suite pour personne an album from Jeanne Côté, 2023
A big winner in 2023 at the Francouvertes competition, Jeanne Côté has a gift for the bittersweet. Her album Suite pour personne is a collection of songs that have their feet in the water—and yet, their current never swallows us, because their wind is lively and brisk. Two titles particularly attract attention in this sense. In “Ouragans,” with its piano in tendrils and waterfalls, we keep our distance from reality, but with the Other, we can restitch the bond, with that gentle call to “Serre-moi la main” (shake my hand). Because it’s well known that “des fois, faut que la vie nous arrose, pour se mouiller” (sometimes, life has to water us to get wet). And with “Y peut mouiller,” Jeanne Côté fights back against the bad weather of a Sunday evening where the air is heavy; how can we combat this fever of greyness and these shady areas that assail our lives? When we have nothing left to lose, why not welcome the rain? And “tourner dans l’orage, courir comme un chien fou” (turn into the storm, run like a mad dog). A soothing, hypnotic album.
Scan the code to access the music on the Spotify platform.
“blood pareil” a song from the album monde autour, from Comment debord, 2023
If you are not yet familiar with Comment debord, a group whose album homonyme featured titles such as “Chalet” and “Ville fantombe” that stood out on the radio, their recent offering has all the groove it takes to expand their fanbase. I admit that I had a big weakness for the first track, “blood pareil,” in which singer Rémi Gauvin clings to a telephone booth to reinvent his ideals. To put it bluntly, he dreams of a world where a social project can be synonymous with the search for other people “qui veulent aller danser après le souper” (who want to go dancing after dinner). Nothing less. It may seem frivolous, but “ça serait-tu blood pareil” (don’t you feel the same in your blood)? All the melodic and percussive lines are entitled to their solo, then get tangled up in a joyous harmony. And then, there is a desire for the horizon that rumbles in living rooms…
“Y a-tu du monde qui ont envie de s’embarquer dans quelque chose de plus grand qu’eux autres Y a-tu du monde qui ont envie de s’arranger pour modifier leur petit bonhomme de chemin” (“Are there people who want to embark on something greater than themselves? Are there people who want to find a way to change their little path?”)
Inuktitut an album from Elisapie, 2023
Although Elisapie’s fourth album is one of covers, it is nevertheless one of her most personal. Drawing on resurfaced musical memories, which constituted refuges for her people and herself against the erasure of their culture in the Far North, the Inuk artist translates a dozen pop and rock hits, from Fleetwood Mac to Led Zeppelin, into her language. The result is captivating and gives the original music a new aura with which it will never be able to part. The song “Qimatsilunga” (Queen’s “I Want to Break Free”) resonates with volcanic power, and Metallica’s “The Unforgiven” becomes, with “Isumagijunnaitaungituq,” a bed of moving waters while adorning itself more than ever with its legendary calling. But with “Uummati Attanarsimat” (Blondie’s “Heart of Glass”), Elisapie hits a home run, the love story becoming as mystical as it is enveloping. An essential object of reappropriation, atmospheric and earthy.
These five books, each offering a unique perspective on lightness, will pair perfectly with an afternoon at the beach, a heartto-heart with yourself on the patio, or your evening reading time. Addressing humour and laughter as well as empathy and vulnerability, these reading recommendations will whisk you away from everyday life to better cling to endearing and often flamboyant characters.
Autopsie d’une femme plate by
Marie-Renée Lavoie (XYZ, 2017)When her husband leaves her for a younger woman, Diane, age 48, loses her bearings. To recover from this hard blow, she develops a plan with the help of her best friend Claudine to hit it off with a new man. For the first time in 25 years, Diane feels like a woman again. The entertaining scenes follow when she meets, in turn, her ex-husband’s new flame, her ex-mother-in-law, a new suitor (and his wife), and even a 94-year-old man. With a tone and humour reminiscent of romantic comedies, the narrator captivates us from the first pages with her authentic reflections. With her laid-back writing style, Marie-Renée Lavoie addresses the theme of separation with disarming lightness without minimizing the strong emotions experienced during this difficult time. It’s a renewed pleasure to find her in the sequel, Diane demande un recomptage
Galumpf by Marie-Hélène Poitras (Alto, 2023)
Winner of the Governor General’s Award, Marie-Hélène Poitras develops the theme of empathy in her latest short story collection. Faithful to her poetic style, the author deals with relationships between humans and animals, and reflects on the humanization of the latter. We follow a little girl when she releases her dog into the wild. We witness the rescue of a parakeet and a goldfish during a fire. After a few years away, an experienced rider gets back on the horse on a beast known to be temperamental. Later on in the collection, we catch up with her riding instructor to dig into his past as a jockey. Toward the end of the work, the loosely autobiographical short story “Galumpf” reveals the author’s writing process, which we see is closely linked to her way of riding horses and her love of animals since childhood.
Marie-Pomme, a fan of detective novels featuring the famous investigator Shirley McSnuffles, works in the Tiki bar in the Hawaiian district of Trois-Rivières. After coming home one night, the bartender finds her neighbour dead, with a piña colada in her hand. Faced with the uselessness of the police officer, who believes it to be simple intoxication, she decides to investigate the murder of her neighbour like her favourite heroine. Then, other suspicious deaths occur, and they all have one thing in common: the victim had consumed a pineapple-based drink just before dying. Carried away by her imagination, will Marie-Pomme be able to gather the clues to unravel the enigma? This graphic novel will surprise you with the rich and wacky universe created by the author, who is also its illustrator, as well as with the numerous characters, places, and objects arousing curiosity.
Chaque automne, j’ai envie de mourir by
Véronique Côté and Steve Gagnon (Hamac, 2012)Written as a duo, this collection gives us access to the secrets of a wide range of individuals. A woman combs through the private diary of her former flame, hoping to find herself there. A man collects objects belonging to each of his conquests. A thirty-year-old woman believes that a conspiracy is being hatched to cause everyone around her to have babies. A traveller dreams of inventing a new personality for herself every time she visits a new place. Thirty-seven monologues invite us into as many slices of life, revealing a mosaic of authentic characters. All these secrets reveal their vulnerability, their humanity, their obsessions, their desires, and the quirks of their family, romantic, or fleeting relationships. Themes of love, family, and nostalgia are explored here, and mental health issues are sometimes addressed, always with tenderness and light.
Ce que la vie doit au rire by Boucar Diouf (La Presse, 2023)
It has been scientifically proven that laughter is beneficial for mental health. And who better than a comedian and science writer to demonstrate? In the first part of the book, “Doctor” Boucar Diouf explains the benefits of laughter and smiling in humans and animals. For example, laughter allows us to take a break from anxiety and ease our worries for a moment. In the second part, we receive Boucar’s “treatment”—that is, tasty anecdotes and well-crafted puns that are sure to make you smile. The comedian of Senegalese origin recounts the culture (and thermal) shock of his arrival in Quebec—and more specifically in Rimouski, where he completed his studies.
Les ananas de la colère by Cathon (Pow Pow, 2018)
Photo: © Bianca Des Jardins
Nord Restaurant was born from a desire to offer a culinary experience different from the one normally offered in spas. Featuring a gourmet menu showcasing local artisans and products from the terroir, Nord Restaurant presents creative Nordic-inspired dishes that change with the seasons.
Nord now has five different establishments: Old Quebec, Nuns’ Island, Saint-Sauveur, Mont-Saint-Hilaire, and Sherbrooke. Nord Laboratoire culinaire, which is both a restaurant and a place of creation, has also been open in Chambly since summer 2023.
Nord Saint-Sauveur, which opened its doors in February 2024, is the first of the five restaurants to welcome you in a design completely in harmony with the culinary philosophy of chef Raphaël Podlasiewicz and his team. This is the one that you will see illustrated over the next few pages.
@lerestaurantnord stromspa.com/nord
Nord Restaurant draws its reason for being from the richness of the terroir and the know-how of local artisans. Its mission is to offer you a taste of the variety of foods that are grown, raised, produced, and harvested here, from the most common to the most unknown among them. At Nord Restaurant, we source our provisions from local producers, because we want to pay tribute to their colossal, masterful work, support the local economy, encourage eco-friendly eating habits, and—quite simply—put tasty, delicious, exceptional products on the menu that are always fresh.
The tableware is custom-made for Nord by ceramic artist Marie-Eve Dompierre. The raw, organic side of the pieces evokes the naturalness and richness of the terroir.
Raphaël Podlasiewicz, director and executive chef of Nord restaurants. It’s to him that we owe the philosophy behind the brand.
Photo: © Bianca Des Jardins
Photo: © Matt Charland
With its modern, understated layout, Nord Saint-Sauveur was able to highlight the existing elements of the premises during its transformation: the beams in the ceiling, the rounded windows, the carved mouldings, the brick. The old magnifying the new is the strength of this design and gives warmth and depth to a space that is otherwise very contemporary.
As of summer 2024, Nord Restaurants across Quebec will be open to the public. You will therefore be able to eat there with the same ease as in a regular restaurant, without having to combine your meal with a spa admission.
You can sit at the bar to sip a cocktail or savour a meal.
At Nord Saint-Sauveur, the lighting is 100%-Québécois.
All the light fixtures come from Luminaire Authentik, a local business.
In the background, a work by Studio Sveja, a floral creation studio established in Montreal, which imitates the current of the river running along the site using dried flowers.
The Mid-Century-inspired seating in the lounge area. With its relaxed ambiance, the space is reminiscent of the subdued atmosphere of whisky bars.
Photos: © Bianca Des Jardins Interior design: © Marie-Michelle De Lachevrotière and Mélina Rochon
Photo: © Bianca Des Jardins
shortbread with sweet clover
A creation of Raphaël Podlasiewicz, director and executive chef of Nord Restaurants, and Jonathan Schneider, production manager
chocolate cream and buffalo yogurt
Ingredients
250 mL 35% cream
350 g white chocolate
150 mL Maciocia plain buffalo yogurt (or plain yogurt of choice)
Preparation
In a saucepan, bring the cream to a boil.
Place the white chocolate in a large bowl and pour in the hot cream. Let stand for 2 minutes.
Using a whisk, emulsify the mixture until the white chocolate is fully blended with the cream. Add the yogurt and mix until the preparation is smooth.
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours.
Before assembling the dessert, whisk the mixture until soft peaks form. Be careful not to whisk the mixture too much.
Breton shortbread with sweet clover
Ingredients
200 g unsalted butter, tempered
200 g sugar
6 egg yolks
1 tsp sweet clover extract
350 g all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp baking power
1 tsp fleur de sel
Preparation
Using a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, cream the butter with the sugar. Fold in the egg yolks one by one, followed by the sweet clover extract.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients.
Once the egg mixture has been blanched, replace the whisk with the paddle and gradually add the dry ingredients until a smooth dough is obtained.
Place the dough between two sheets of parchment paper and, using a rolling pin, roll out to a thickness of 1 cm.
Slide the dough, still between the sheets of parchment paper, onto a baking sheet. Refrigerate for 60 minutes.
Using a round cookie cutter with a 3-inch diameter, cut circles into the dough.
Place the dough circles on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 325 °F for 16 minutes or until they start to turn golden brown.
Tip
To help the shortbreads keep their circular shape, you can bake them in silicone muffin moulds.
Ingredients Assembly Note
1 Breton shortbread with sweet clover White chocolate cream and buffalo yogurt, to taste
1 Tbsp strawberry coulis (see note)
3 strawberries, sliced
2 Tbsp fresh peas, previously blanched (see note)
1 tsp summer honey
½ tsp olive oil
¼ tsp white balsamic vinegar, or other finishing vinegar
A few tendril pea shoots
For the strawberry coulis, you can simply mash a few ripe strawberries with a little sugar and a few drops of finishing vinegar. For the peas, you can use sweet peas or snow peas.
In the centre of the plate of your choice, place a shortbread cookie.
Place a heaping spoonful of white chocolate cream and buffalo yogurt on the shortbread. Using the spoon, form a well in the centre of the cream and place the strawberry coulis there. In a small bowl, season the strawberries and peas with the honey, olive oil, and vinegar. Garnish the dessert with the strawberry and pea mixture and a few tendril pea shoots.
Over the years, I have often referred in my texts to the notion of pleasure surrounding wine. Pleasure comes first of all from the context: a happiness that we offer ourselves while preparing a meal to the sound of our favourite music, devouring the pages of a novel, watching a film comfortably sprawled out on the couch, or during a moment shared with others. The occasion and the people with whom the wine is shared are often enough to make it better. But pleasure also obviously comes from the senses, and when tasting, each of our five senses is engaged. Here is a brief overview of what they allow us to perceive, to our greatest satisfaction.
We tend to forget it, but hearing is one of the first senses engaged when tasting a wine. First of all, there is the famous pop of the cork (whether you are uncorking a sparkling wine or not), or even the crack of the screw cap, which unequivocally announces what awaits us. But there’s also the ambiance. The volume of the conversations and the music has an impact on how we feel, and therefore on the appreciation that we get from the tasting. The type of music might even influence our senses. Furthermore, Bill Zacharkiw, a sommelier with us, hosted a weekly radio show for a long time where he paired a wine with… a rock song!
Long before serving the wine, you chose the bottle. It may seem superficial, but we would be lying to ourselves if we said that the label never influences us when buying a bottle. For many, including myself, choosing the wine I’m about to drink is part of the fun.
Once the wine is in the glass, we get to the heart of the matter. Several things can be observed before tasting. First, there’s the colour, of course. The shade (such as violet, cherry, or ruby for a red; yellow-green, straw yellow, or gold for a white) and the intensity of the colour (pale, light, strong, deep, dark) can say a lot about the origin of a wine. Although there are exceptions, a grape that is grown in a cool climate will generally produce a wine with a lighter colour than if it had been grown under intense sunlight. Certain grape varieties also naturally produce wines that are more or less dense in colour. A pinot noir will have a much shallower colour than a cabernet sauvignon.
After the colour, we can observe the brightness of the wine, or its ability to reflect light, which will tend to decrease with age. For its part, the clarity of the wine, which refers to the presence of sediment and a veiled or cloudy appearance, will give us a clue about the winemaking and filtration techniques used. For example, natural wines that are neither fined (a technique that involves removing solid microparticles to clarify the wine) nor filtered may tend to have a cloudier appearance, which—it should be mentioned—in no way affects their quality.
Finally, we can observe what are known poetically as the tears or legs of the wine. These are the translucent traces left by the wine on the wall of the glass. They are due to alcohol or sugar. The higher the alcohol content of a wine is, the more pronounced the tears will be. The same goes for sugar. A dessert wine or a high-alcohol wine such as a Rioja will leave far more traces than a very dry or light wine. But be careful! The cleanliness of your glass can change everything. A dirty glass with traces of grease will cause more tears to appear, while a glass containing soap residue will dry them.
This is where the fun begins. Have you ever stuck your nose in a glass of wine and been completely blown away before even tasting it? Sometimes, smelling the wine is just as pleasant as drinking it. A tip for properly smelling your wine: once your glass is filled (never more than a third; the wine needs room to express itself), smell the wine at rest—that is, without swirling the glass. This is the first nose. Then, to release the aromas, swirl your glass by making small circles. This gesture aerates the wine and allows more aromas to be released. This is the second nose.
Speaking of aromas, they are divided into five main categories: herbal and spicy, fruity, floral, animal, and toasted. Each grape variety has its own aromatic potential, but most aromas will only come to life during the winemaking process. Depending on the stage of production and life of the wine, we will be dealing with three main types of aromas: primary, which come from the grape; secondary, which are released during fermentation; and finally, tertiary, which come from barrel aging (wood, spices, vanilla, smoke, etc.) and the aging of the wine in the bottle (undergrowth, mushrooms, animal, dried fruit, etc.).
Finally, the much-awaited moment of tasting the wine has arrived. In addition to the same categories of aromas as on the nose, you will be able to detect flavours on the palate such as bitterness, sweetness, saltiness, and acidity. To give yourself the best chances of success, here’s a tip: aerate. Aerating means taking in air through your mouth while the wine is inside. The more air you give the wine, the more it expresses itself. Once you have swallowed your sip, exhale through your nose. That way, the aromas can be detected by the olfactory receptors.
Wine is also a matter of texture, and this is where the last sense comes into play. The presence of bubbles, powerful or silky tannins, and a feeling of warmth or—conversely— coolness are also part of the experience.
Now that you are more aware of the role that your senses play in the pleasure of tasting, here are three suggestions to practice your skills.
2022, ORGANIC
11587134 — $20.95
The Soave Classico appellation often offers us blends of productive grape varieties, such as chardonnay or sauvignon. But this family estate makes the appellation shine with, among others, this wine that is 100%-Garganega, an Italian variety which lends all its character to the wine. Here, you will find aromas of white fruit, citrus zest, green apple, and almond. A treat!
2022, ORGANIC
12207957 — $16.60
Here’s a red for your first barbecue of the year: a 100%-Monastrell (Mourvèdre) wine from Spain that has supple tannins and body without falling into heaviness. Its aromas of fresh fruit, thyme, and lavender give it a very pleasant feeling of freshness.
2022, ORGANIC
12674221 — $23.25
If you’re unfamiliar with Xarel-lo, a grape variety native to Penedès in Spain, here is a great introduction. A pioneer in the region, the Albet i Noya estate has been practicing organic farming since the early ’70s. With its aromas of pear, peach, and orange, its fullness, its roundness, and its substance on the palate, you have here a very complete white.
This summer, Strøm Nordic Spa will be celebrating 15 years of inspiring architecture and timeless moments of relaxation. While leafing through these pages, dive into the unique world of our facilities, which bear witness to our commitment to offering spa resorts where beauty is to space what serenity is to feeling, when we let ourselves be immersed in the place.
Architectural renderings: © Lemay Michaud
Text: © With the contribution of Hugues Lefebvre-Morasse
It is also with great pride that we reveal to you, for the first time, the construction plans for the buildings that will occupy the other side of the bank in Saint-Sauveur. Open since the fall of 2023, Strøm Saint-Sauveur is continuing its modernization. New facilities will be accessible as of 2025, and the ideation of these spaces has just been completed.
1. Architecture and nature will coexist harmoniously in this path designed to offer tranquility.
Skillfully combining traditional architecture with Strøm’s contemporary and minimalist approach, the warm appearance of the typical Laurentian cottages will be reinterpreted in a modern way in order to pay tribute to the know-how of yesteryear.
1. The new spaces will offer breathtaking views of the rivière à Simon.
Architectural renderings and sketches: © Lemay Michaud
2.
1. The whirlpool offers a unique perspective on the natural surroundings and architecture typical of this spa.
MONT-SAINT-HILAIRE
Photos: © Bianca Des Jardins
2. Extending lengthwise into the distance, the site hugs the banks of the Magog River.
1. The architecture of the buildings, which has won numerous awards, is breathtaking at sunset.
2. In the summer, the freshness of the cold pool hits different.
Photos: © Bianca Des Jardins
3. The Finnish sauna faces the St. Lawrence River.
4. The massive windows allow light to penetrate the building, but also reflect the sky when you are outside.
OLD QUEBEC
1. Relaxing on an infrared bed has many benefits.
2. The restored steam bath offers an enveloping atmosphere.
NUNS’ ISLAND
Photos: © Bianca Des Jardins
For more than 40 years, LemayMichaud has created worlds where architecture and design coexist and interact. From the inside out, everything is designed to create, build, and offer unique and perfectly integrated human experiences.
Quebec City + Montreal + Ottawa info@lemaymichaud.com lemaymichaud.com
CM
A turnkey service to bring all your interior décor dreams to life. From motorized blinds to upholstery, we take care of all your projects. Enjoy the convenience of consultations for personalized assistance.
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With their hands in the protected territory of the Upper Laurentians and their heads focused on a virtuous future, the Desrochers D. family leads you on the path to authenticity. A natural honey spritzer, it’s Zen refreshment!
Available at Strøm and the SAQ. Selected by La QV. desrochersd.com
A variety of flavours and melodies, inspired by a love of coffee and music. High-quality beans roasted on site in Ste-Julie make up our unique and delicious espressos.
Use promo code mllecafestrom for a 20% discount at our online store.
509, avenue Jules-Choquet, suite 1, Saint-Julie, QC J3E 1W6 mllecafe.com
PROMENADE WELLINGTON: THE PERFECT PLACE TO FEEL LIKE YOU’RE ON VACATION IN MONTREAL
Pedestrianized during the summer, the Well is more than just a street; it’s a destination that takes you on a journey thanks to its proximity to the riverbanks and its abundant offerings of shops, restaurants, and cafes.
514 766-6437
Métro De l’Église (Montreal) promenadewellington.com
WECHALET: THE 100%-QUÉBÉCOIS PLATFORM!
Relax in the comfort of nature with WeChalet. Book now for a memorable getaway anywhere in Quebec!
In 2024, enjoy a 50% discount with code STROM50.
More than 2500 properties available at wechalet.com
SHERB-HISTOIRE BY KAYAK
A Zen aquatic experience to discover the history of Sherbrooke while gliding on the Lac des Nations and the Magog River. A guided tour lasting approximately 2.5 hours. Including notions of culture, environment, biodiversity, and awareness of the history of the First Nations.
819 345-4183 info@sherbhistoire.com sherb-histoire.com
EXPERIENCE SERENITY WITH CRISTAL MOMENTUM
Free your mind and let yourself be lulled by the harmonious vibrations of our concerts. Awaken your senses and immerse yourself in a relaxing sonic journey in the heart of Saint-Sauveur.
450 275-5520
Saint-Sauveur, Quebec cristalmomentum.com
AspirationsTM collection delivers unmatched value, taking today’s bathroom a step beyond beautiful.
With ESPACE PLOMBERIUM all your ideas take shape!
Make an appointment with our expert advisors, they are here for you.
For the 15th anniversary of Strøm Nordic Spa, which we are celebrating in June, discover new special episodes of our podcast, Centré sur l’équilibre. On the program: exclusive interviews with the artisans behind Strøm.
Photo: © Olivier Staub
SEVERAL PACKAGES
BROSSARD | GRANBY | LAVAL | LÉVIS | LONGUEUIL | MAGOG
MONTRÉAL - Quartier international and Gri ntown (SPRING 2024)
QUÉBEC | REPENTIGNY | SAINT-BRUNO | SAINTE-FOY | SHERBROOKE
avril.ca/traiteur