Category: Strong Body

The Power of Music on Mood and Health

Healing / Sound Mind / Strong Body / Therapeutic

Have you ever had a bad day where all you wanted to do was retreat into your room and blast your favorite tunes? Or maybe you’ve struggled with anxiety and found peace in listening to soft melodies. Music has a way of tapping into our emotions and influencing our mood. But did you know that it can also have a significant impact on our health? Today, we’re exploring the power of music on mood and health.

Music on Mood

Firstly, let’s talk about the impact of music on our mood. It’s no secret that music can instantly change how we feel – whether it’s pumping us up for a workout or soothing us to sleep. As we listen to music, our brains release chemicals such as dopamine and oxytocin which elevate our mood and reduce stress. A study from McGill University found that listening to upbeat music can even help to decrease pain levels. So, next time you’re feeling down, try turning on some joyful tunes to boost your mood.

Music on Health

Secondly, music can have an impact on our physical health. Research has shown that music can help to lower blood pressure and heart rate, reduce anxiety, and stress, and improve sleep quality. In fact, a study in the Journal of Advanced Nursing showed that listening to calming music can reduce the need for pain medication after surgery. It’s amazing to think that something as simple as listening to music can have such a profound impact on our physical well-being.

Music on Mental Health

Thirdly, music therapy is a powerful tool that can be used to improve mental health. This type of therapy involves using music to promote emotional health, cognitive functioning, and social skills. It’s been shown to be effective in treating conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Music therapy can be tailored to an individual’s specific needs, and can include listening to music, creating music, or working with a trained music therapist. It’s an effective and non-invasive way to support mental health and well-being.

Music on Community

Fourthly, music can bring people together and build a sense of community. Whether it’s through attending concerts or singing in a choir, music has a way of connecting us to one another. It can uplift our spirits and bring a sense of joy and belonging. In fact, a study from the University of Oxford found that engaging in group singing boosted participants’ mental health and feelings of social support compared to those who didn’t.

Music on Creativity

Lastly, music can inspire creativity and boost productivity. Have you ever noticed how listening to music while working can help you to focus and increase your productivity? This is because music activates different areas of the brain, including the prefrontal cortex which is responsible for decision making and goal setting. It can also help to block out distracting noises and improve our mood, which in turn helps us to get more done.

Conclusion

Music has the power to move us emotionally, physically, and mentally. Whether it’s lifting our mood or reducing stress, music can have a positive impact on our health and well-being. So next time you’re feeling down or struggling to concentrate, try turning on some tunes and let the music work its magic. You might be surprised at how much it can help!

Cough Cold Flu Syrup Recipe

Healing / Herbs / Strong Body

Hi all,

I am making cough/cold/flu syrup next weekend. I call it the Kitchen Sink. It’s got everything in there.

Here’s what I’m going to use:

Cold and flu:
  • Elderberries
    • Clears Mucus
    • Quickens recovery
    • Anti-inflammatory
    • Iron
    • Zinc
    • Vitamin C
    • Immune booster
    • Decongestant
    • Expectorant
  • Pineapple juice
    • Vitamins A & C
    • Aids in digestion
  • Honey
    • Sore throat
  • Lemon
    • Sore throat
    • Vitamin C
    • Alkaline effects
  • Ginger
    • Soothes stomach
    • Curbs motion sickness
    • Aids digestion
    • Respiratory aid
  • Cayenne pepper
    • Sore throat
  • Echinacea
    • Sore throat
    • Flu
    • Tonsillitis
    • Immune modulator
    • Anti-inflammatory
  • Chamomile
    • Congestion
    • Hay Fever
    • Headache
  • Licorice Root
    • Expectorant
    • Cough
    • Bronchitis
    • Soothes
    • Anti-inflammatory
  • Nettle Leaf
    • Anti-allergy
    • Rhinitis
    • Tonic
    • Anti-inflammatory
  • Thyme
    • Expectorant
    • Muscle aches
Pain Relievers:
  • Ashwagandha Root
    • Convalescence
    • Mild sedative
    • Tonic
  • White Willow Bark
    • Anti-inflammatory
    • Fever Reducer
    • Pain reliever
  • Cramp Bark
    • Muscle aches
    • Pain relief
    • Sedative

I will make a decoction of all the hard woody barks, roots, and berries. Infuse all the leaves and flowers. Then, combine them together with the honey, pineapple & lemon juices and cayenne while they are still warm. Finally, I will bottle them in a dark glass bottle with a cork stopper and store in a cool, dry place until needed up to 6 months.

I’ll update when it is complete.

Update:

Today I finished the process. It didn’t taste great, but it wasn’t bad. I had an issue with the brown bottles I chose to store the syrup in. 3 out of the 6 cracked during the disinfecting process. To be honest, it was my fault. I cooled them too fast instead of letting them cool in the oven. Lesson learned.

Another issue was, I had too much to bottle. There’s no way my family will use this all in a 6 month period. I guess I’ll have some to throw away at the end of the flu season. Better safe than sorry. Maybe I’ll send some to my son at college. maybe he can share with his flat mates.

I have calculated all the ingredients I put in there divided by the volume that was created and found this to be the dosing directions: 1 Tablespoon every hour until there is change and 1T 3x per day thereafter.

Time will tell how it works.

Again, I’ll keep you posted.

Depression and Vegetarianism and Veganism

Preservation / Sound Mind / Strong Body

There are a whole slew of research linking not eating meat to depression, but questions still remain about why.

Is it predisposition? People who are predisposed to depression also select vegetarian/vegan status?

Is it social? Being vegan or vegetarian limits people’s social opportunities, thus driving depression?

Is it chemical? Something in the lack of animal protein contributes to the depression?

What ever the cause, more research is necessary before ruling out vegan and vegetarian lifestyles.

Read the research here. 

Forgive For Your Health

Healing / Maintenance / Preservation / Sound Mind / Strong Body

A couple years ago I was injured in an accident. Very soon afterward I called my mother. Her advice: “Forgive the other driver or you will never heal.” It turns out my mother was right (So not shocked there.), and here is the info that backs her up.

The upshot: Forgive and Heal

Holding a grudge, refusing to let go of bad feelings, constantly thinking about and seeking revenge for real or perceived harms exacts a tremendous toll, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. On the other hand, when we release the baggage of negativity and forgive others, we’re set free from that toxicity. Feelings of hurt, helplessness and anger naturally dissipate – whether or not the person forgiven forgives in turn or even knows they’ve been forgiven. Research published in the journal Aging & Mental Health found that forgiveness has a protective factor in health and well-being. In particular, said the authors, self-forgiveness among older women was protective for depression, when the reported feeling unforgiven by others.

Read the full article here.

Walk Yourself Into Shape

Healing / Maintenance / Strong Body

How much walking does it take to see health benefits? Studies suggest 150 minute per week to drop your chances of death and heart disease by 20%.

Working out regularly can extend your life, ward off heart disease and various cancers, rebuild the muscle and bone strength lost with age, and reduce levels of anxiety and depression.

Perhaps best of all, you can start to get all those benefits just by deciding to regularly go for a walk.

 

Read all about it here.

Sugar: The Enemy of All

Sound Mind / Strong Body / Therapeutic / Uncategorized

I ran across this little gem recently. This author cut out sugar for one month and found amazing results. She not only halted the belly bloat she had been experiencing, but also found her acne stopped cold. There is also results that link sugar consumption to inflammation in the body. I am willing to give this a try. I will be updating with my results later.

Because I’m human — and my last name is Sugar — living 100 percent without treats really wasn’t an option. I found ways to get my sweet fix without it affecting my face (or my stomach). I discovered how to bake with bananas and dates, making desserts that are just as sweet as using white sugar, and I can still get my chocolate fix by using cocoa powder in recipes. Ice cream is easy — I just make nice cream using frozen fruit.

Here is a link to the article by Jenny Sugar. What a great name.

Continue reading“Sugar: The Enemy of All”

Gut Health for Under $20? Sign Me Up!

Healing / Maintenance / Strong Body

Ran across this little gem in my RSS feed this morning. Here is the skinny.

  1. Green leafy veggies (kale, spinach, etc.) for a prebiotic boost.
  2. Cruciferous veggies (broccoli, cabbage and whatnot) feed the good bacteria in your gut.
  3.  Sweet potatoes, more prebiotics.
  4. Coconut milk, increases intestinal permeability.
  5. Berries, improves gut microbiome and adds fiber.
  6. Flax seeds for fiber, Omega-3, and it aids digestion. Chia is a good substitute.
  7. Walnuts, fiber packed they actual alter gut microbial community. In a good way.

Read all about it here.

Intermittent Fasting for Women

Healing / Maintenance / Preservation / Sound Mind / Strong Body

Intermittent fasting has a whole host of good things. While you deny your body of food, it heals and rebuilds (autophagy), it burns fat for weight loss, and it improves glucose tolerance. However, this article reveals that these benefits may not be as robust and in some cases reversed in women during childbearing years.

Studies show that intermittent fasting for women within childbearing years actually have disturbed sleep patterns, loss of lean muscle mass instead of fat during training, stimulation of the Sympatheic Nervous System (fight or flight response), resistance to autophagy, reduces glucose tolerance, weight gain, and infertility. Not cool. Maybe wait on the intermittent fasting until Menopause.

As it stands right now, I’d be inclined to agree that pre-menopausal (and perhaps peri-menopausal) women are more likely to have poor—or at least different—experiences with intermittent fasting (at least as a weight loss tool).

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