Category: Sound Mind

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!

Eat This for Brain Function

Preservation / Sound Mind

These eight nutrients are best for brain function.

The researchers narrowed down the 32 nutritional substances provided by a traditional Mediterranean diet to several that appear to play key roles in healthy brain aging, enhanced cognitive performance, functional brain network efficiency, executive function, and general intelligence. These include omega-3 fatty acids, found in significant amounts in fatty fish and fish oils; omega-6 fatty acids, found in vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, poultry products and whole grains; lycopene, found in red pigmented plant foods such as tomatoes and watermelon; carotenoids found in yellow and orange pigmented foods such as sweet potatoes, winter squash and carrots; vitamin D, found mostly in fatty fish and fortified dairy products and dairy substitutes such as soy milk; and the B Vitamins riboflavin, found in dairy products and enriched grains; folate found in dark leafy greens and other vegetables and fruit; and B12, found in animal products such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, and fortified breakfast cereals. A subset of the original study participants returned two years later for follow-up and similar nutrient patterns were confirmed.

It should be stated that this study relied on actual blood tests and MRIs for the results instead of cognitive testing and self report surveys.

Read all about it here.

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. 

Cure Your Phone Addiction With A New Phone…… Hmmmmmm

Preservation / Sound Mind

So, this happened, A new phone that can cure phone addiction. Sounds unbelievable? Absolutely, But don’t take my word for it. Try it yourself and let me know below.

Here’s the skinny. This small basic phone with no GPS, music, or apps will be carried in addition to your smart phone. All it does, phone calls and basic texting. This is how to ween yourself off phone addiction.

We’ve all become so absorbed in the blinking, bleeping monsters in our pockets that even the gadgetmakers have started dispensing salves for excessive phone use. One of their more out-there “solutions”: Start carrying two phones. There’s a certain counter­intuitive logic at work—shouldn’t we have fewer phones? Maybe. But out of this existential panic, those who created our screen dependency and those who are committed to helping us fight it have come up with a tantalizing (and tantalizingly profitable) fix. It’s not about getting off your phone, per se. It’s about getting on a different one.

This is the phone that will help you live your best life—a life in which Instagram, Slack, Facebook, and email are relegated to the back of your mind. Barely larger than a credit card, this phone relaxes your two-handed grip and liberates more of your pocket real estate. That other phone lures you into a Chinese finger trap. This gadget sets you free.

Read more about it 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.

Why Work/Life Balance Isn’t Good

Preservation / Sound Mind

Margarita Tartakovsky has an interesting article where she explores work-life balance flaws. In it she champions work-life satisfaction instead of balance.

Consider the three key categories. Loflin breaks his life down into these areas: work, self, and relationships. He regularly asks himself honest questions about each area to understand his satisfaction. He shared these examples:

  • Work: “What did I do to move a project forward today? If I used my time like I did today for the next 30 days, would my business grow or shrink?”
  • Self: “Did I start my day in such a way that it provided me with the physical, emotional, and mental energy I needed? Am I a better person because of the choices I made today?”
  • Relationships: “Did I do my best to be an encouragement to everyone I interacted with today? Did I do my best to grow at least one relationship today?”

This is a great read, well worth your time. You can find it here.

Need to Get Away, But Can’t Take the Time? Mini Vacations May Be for You

Preservation / Sound Mind

In his Article, The Value of Mini-Vacations author Jamie Gruman PhD. explores the benefits of mini vacations as oppose to one long vacation per year. He makes the point that you get the same restorative value from a mini vacation as a long vacation, but if you take mini vacations more often you get a longer benefit. So, instead of a week long vacation, you take 4 or 5 long weekends a year.

 

Read the article 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”

Focus: How to Maintain It

Preservation / Sound Mind / Uncategorized

In our busy loud world it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain focus. Here are some great ideas to help maintain your focus form Suzanne Kane and PsychCentral.

  1. Personal Time Out – Clear your head and do nothing.
  2. Self Discipline – It is the only way to get what you want.
  3. Real Family Face time – Connecting with your family over meals grounds you.

Like what you read? Read more about it here.

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