Music and Life: a Partnership for Health

Have you ever thought about introducing more music to your household?  Have you ever wanted to learn to play a musical instrument?  Have you ever wondered about how music can make your life better?  Consider the facts pointed out in this article and you might just be ready to embrace rhythm and melody in a whole new way.

It is no secret to most parents that many studies have proven the profound effects that relate to introducing children to music at a very early age.  Even in the prenatal state, researchers believe that music can be stimulating to the brain and calming to the nerves.

The Mozart Effect is a term frequently used when discussing this topic.  It is defined as using music to improve lifestyle — for health and wellness, as well as for education and creativity.  Music, as many already know, can be mood altering, it can make one recall certain things learned or experienced in the past, and can even provide the listener an energy boost.  In the fifties, an ear, throat and nose specialist started experiments that revolved around the effects of music on communication disorders.  Since then, music has been used in therapies for children with many different learning, spatial, and communications conditions.  Classical music has been proven to be especially beneficial to young children, and can even improve the way a child comprehends and retains information.  It soothes, de-stresses, and even heals in children and adults, which is why playing a musical instrument is thought to be very therapeutic for adults and children alike.

There is a science that believes in and practices music therapy for people of all ages.  It is meant to heal physically, mentally, and emotionally.  Certified professionals conduct sessions with patients, which involve listening to and making music.  The right music can actually reduce heart rate and blood pressure, which is just the beginning of what these professionals are aiming to do for people they treat.

It is thought that these sessions can help a person make sense of repressed memories, can calm those who are overstressed and facing emotional breakdown, and can even result in vast improvements in patients of dementia. Music can improve speech patterns, and even reduce pain levels in patients of chronic disease or cancer.

Those who do studies in related fields are also big supporters of playing musical instruments.  Playing the guitar, piano or other instrument at any age can have the same beneficial effects discussed above, while introducing a new creative outlet for the individual.

If you are interested in playing the piano, whether for fun or for healing, there are ways to do so on your own time, without the inconvenience of leaving the house or meet with an instructor.  Making music doesn’t have to be difficult; it does not require you to have the perfect voice or a gifted ear.  You can move at your own pace, play alone or with others, and still enjoy the rejuvenating effects that the rhythms will have on you mentally, emotionally, and physically.

Senior Meal Programs Help Keep Elderly Independent

Children with elderly parents know the challenges Seniors face when it comes to maintaining a healthy, balanced and independent lifestyle.  A common problem is the ability to provide themselves with complete and nutritious meals on a regular basis.

Often times poor mobility or the loss of a spouse, especially a wife, can lead to poor eating habits, improper portions, and skipped meals at a time when good nutrition plays such a major role in the well being and longevity of a Seniors quality of life.  Poor nutrition can lead to decreased mental acuteness, less resistance to illness and disease, and lower energy levels.

Common elderly challenges like hypertension, diabetes, and arthritis can be lessened by proper diet and exercise.

Seniors must also take extra care to keep their food safe. Improper handling, refrigeration, and under cooking of food can actually cause serious illness

Good nutrition keeps muscles, bones, organs, and other body parts strong for the long haul. Eating vitamin-rich food boosts immunity and fights illness-causing toxins.

A proper diet reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type-2 diabetes, bone loss, cancer, and anemia and eating sensibly means consuming fewer calories with more nutrient dense foods, keeping weight in check. Research shows that people who eat a selection of brightly colored fruit, leafy veggies, certain fish and nuts packed with omega-3 fatty acids can improve focus and decrease the risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

Wholesome meals give you more energy and help you look better, resulting in a self-esteem boost. It’s all connected—when your body feels good you feel happier inside and out. If you or a Senior loved one have difficulty with shopping, mobility or availability, you may choose to look into the following Senior Meal Programs options:

Home Delivery – Many grocery stores have Internet or phone delivery services. There are also a wide range of delivery meal programs via the Internet.

Swap Services – Ask a friend, neighborhood teen or college student if they would be willing to shop and/or cook for you.

Share Your Home Consider having a housemate or companion who would be willing to do the grocery shopping and cooking.

Senior Programs – Contact your local Senior Center, YMCA, congregation or high school and ask about Senior Meal Programs

Eating well isn’t just a “diet” or “program” but part of a healthy lifestyle that you can adopt now and stay with in the years to come. Be sure to plan your meals and snacks to include plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or fat-free milk and milk products and lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts. Remember, you are what you eat.

Afraid Of Talking To Strangers?

Want to learn how to be a good conversationalist? I know exactly what you’re talking about. You want to be that person who is easy to talk to, fun to be with and can hold his own in a conversation.

I’ll show you exactly how to do that in this article. Don’t worry, the strategies to starting and maintaining good communication are not at all difficult. Read on to learn how to be a good conversationalist.

Step 1: Relax.

The worst communicators are those who try too hard. The best are those who are relaxed and comfortable with themselves.

You may get nervous when talking to strangers or to people you barely know; but trust me, relaxing will help you more than you realize.

For one, you won’t suffer from mental block. You’ll be able to contribute to the conversation freely and even come up with witty comebacks. And for another, a relaxed stance attracts people to you. Fidget every three seconds and even your friends will feel nervous.

To help you relax, imagine yourself talking comfortably with people and having a great time discussing interesting topics with them. Breathe in and out a few times to relieve tension before meeting them.

Step 2: When in Doubt, Ask Questions.

You don’t need to have an opinion all the time. If you can’t come up with anything interesting to say, ask the people you’re talking to something about themselves.

If you want to know how to be a good conversationalist, that is a good strategy to remember. At a party, you can easily start a conversation by asking people what they think of the music or the food. You can also ask them where they’re from or how they know the host or hostess.

This is a simple yet effective trick for everyone to remember. After all, people like to talk about themselves and their opinions.

Step 3: Speak Clearly.

If you want to learn how to be a good conversationalist, you need to speak clearly. You may not realize it, but some people may be having a hard time understanding what you’re saying.

Figure out if you’re expressing yourself correctly or ask your friends about it. Do you have a thick accent? Do you stutter sometimes when you’re talking to important people?

Make an effort to learn how to speak clearly. Practice reading books or texts aloud and pronounce the words as clearly as you can. Doing this will not only help others understand you better, it will also boost your self-esteem.

Learning how to be a good conversationalist is possible for anybody who’s serious about improving themselves. Aside from these tips, you can also look to a role model for inspiration. Find out what makes that person such a great communicator and apply what you’ve learned the next time you find yourself talking to others.

Want to be an amazingly interesting, witty and funny conversationalist – and make people like you a lot – in just 7 days?