Jumat, 27 Oktober 2017

Relaxing Music - Use for Natural Stress Relief and Relaxation

Stress and depression are becoming one of the dangerous disorders in the modern man's life. Of course, stress is necessary for active life, but it should be within limits. There should be a borderline for having stress in your life to the extent that it won't make you remain passive or idle. However, considering the excess stress, it invites depression and thereby paralyzes your life. It weakens your physical as well as mental power. Nevertheless, there are various ways of relieving stress and tensions and one of them is relaxing music. It is a kind of stress relief solution that helps in calming your brain nerves.

Relaxation is a stage of contentment and peace or sanity. It is a stage of life where a person finds satisfaction in his/her lifestyle. This is a stage of life which can be called as perfection and an energetic stage of life, whereas depression is the exact opposite of this. Depression or stress leads to hypertension and other mental illnesses that are difficult to cure in a short period of time.

There are many people who consume anti-depressant pills everyday, but they provide a temporary relief and induce side-effects instead. The natural and safe way is listening relaxing music that relieves your stress and provides relief in a soothing manner. Your mind and bodily nerves calm down in a wonderful way when you listen to the relaxing music. There are different kinds of music therapies that are designed to cure mental illness and disorders.

Music containing natural sounds of winds, chirping birds, sea waves and animals can prove as your soul mate rhythm. This kind of music can heal your brain waves by motivating your chakras. If you start listening relaxing music sounds regularly, then you may find drastic change in your lifestyle. These sounds work as an inspiration for awakening your soul, and they even solve the problems like sleeplessness and poor concentration.

Music is also regarded as an awakening touch for the soul and body. It not only entertains you but also gives enthusiasm by converting all your negative energies into a positive one. Relaxing and calm music can enhance your mental performance level by bringing peace to your soul.

If you are looking for more information on how brainwave entrainment, binaural beats, monaural beats or isochronic tones can help you relax, get to sleep, have better dreams or just feel less stressed then please have a look at this great resource.


Jumat, 13 Oktober 2017

Give Mozart a Break! How to Lower Blood Pressure With Music

A small blood pressure study published just this month (September 2008) by Seattle University is generating a large amount of attention. The research into the effects of music and relaxation should provide food for thought in a fresh and productive direction. Instead, the study is being widely misreported, focusing on insignigicant details with an attitude that damns with faint praise.

In the study, 41 elderly people with high blood pressure listened to either Mozart or a "guided-relaxation" program for 12 minutes a day, three times a week for four months. The Mozart music was not specified but the relaxation CD included a background of ocean waves along with a calming voice and guided breathing exercises.

The average systolic blood pressure of the Mozart group dropped by 7 points while the average reduction in the guided-relaxation group was 9 points systolic. Diastolic blood pressure was not as much affected but medical experts tend to look at systolic pressure as the more important health factor.

Mozart versus "New Age"?

Many of the reports chose to focus on the slightly larger reductions of the guided-relaxation group, painting Mozart the "loser" as in some absurd battle of the bands. This misses the point entirely. The research was not a competition to determine the "winning" style of relaxation - as if 2 points among such a tiny sample has any significance anyway.

In fact, the study has a number of shortcomings including:

    A statistically insignificant number of participants (only 21 in the Mozart group and 20 in the guided relaxation group). The results of such a small group cannot be projected on to millions of hypertension sufferers.
    
    The elderly are not a representative sample of those suffering from high blood pressure (the largest group of hypertensives are babyboomers and its prevalence among the young is increasing rapidly).
    
    Why was participation limited to only 12 minutes a day, three times a week? On the basis of previous research, the modest results of this study were entirely predictable. A second recent study in Italy obtained far better results with participants that listened to slow, soothing music for a half hour daily.
    
    Which pieces of Mozart's music were used? The music of Mozart is a huge body of work that covers a full range of moods and tempos, often in the same composition. Furthermore, much of it was never intended to be relaxing. This is not a mute point as previous research has proved the obvious: fast tempo music increases blood pressure while slow tempo music reduces it.

So it's difficult to evaluate this part of the study's results without knowing the specific music used. What is more certain is that all or most music meeting the right criteria is capable of having a pronounced effect on blood pressure.

Participants in the Italian study listened to western classical, Celtic or Indian raga music and the conclusion was that any style of music of a slow and soothing nature can be effective at reducing blood pressure.

It's all in the breathing...

Finally, the limitations noted above pale in significance when compared to the major complaint: the guided relaxation group also participated in breathing exercises. This is one of, if not the, major contributing factor to their results and yet it was reported almost as an aside. The study more  accurately reflects the effects of relaxation music with breathing compared to those of just listening to Mozart.

There is a large body of research along with years of real-life practice showing that what is now commonly called slow-breathing is capable of significantly reducing high blood pressure. Even more important, the effects of slow breathing are cumulative and long-lasting, unlike those of relaxation alone, which tend to be only temporary.

Double your pleasure: breathing with music

But if you really want to see results you have to combine the two: breathing and music. A biofeedback device called the Resperate uses a synthesizer to generate musical tones that guide the user's breathing in a therapeutic way. They recommend using the device a minimum of 15 minutes a day, 3 or 4 times a week, although results improve with up to daily use.

There are numerous clinical trials documenting the effectiveness of slow breathing. These are double-blind, randomized trials - the same standard as used in drugs testing - published in peer-reviewed medical journals.

In trials, the method has achieved dramatic results with the top 10% of reductions averaging 36 points sysolic and 20 points diastolic. Another impressive result is a response rate of 82% in a group of "resistant hypertensives", people who had failed to respond to other forms of treatment.

Ultimate relaxation: slow breathing with music

A newer method called "slow breathing with music",  is closer in spirit to the methods attempted by the Seattle study. This method uses the same clinically proven breathing methods as used by the Resperate but in a way that's almost the reverse: using a synthesized guided breathing track combined with real music.

Those using slow breathing with music say that they find real music more relaxing and enjoyable, which increases use as well as, they claim, their results. What is not in doubt is the number of people getting remarkable results with this method. Slow breathing with music comes in two styles: a modern form of mood music called ambient and classical (including some carefully chosen Mozart). Daily use of 15 minutes is encouraged.

Both of these slow breathing methods, supported by abundant research combined with many thousands of successful users, demonstrate the most effective way of using music to lower blood pressure: namely, as a relaxing medium in which to apply slow breathing.

Platitudes and attitudes...

The true significance of the Seattle study - within its limitations - is that both results are equally encouraging and merit further attention. Especially when considered along with numerous other resources the study points the way to a promising, totally safe and natural alternative for blood pressure reduction.

Sadly, the way the study has been reported contributes to exactly the opposite effect. Along with the usual platititudes acknowledging the method for its potential, though "minor", role in the fight against hypertension, most of the reports agree that "no one should think that relaxation or listening to classical music can replace blood pressure medication".

Actually, this is the whole point: to replace potentially dangerous blood pressure drugs with safe and natural methods. And it's not a futile goal. In his article "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Blood Pressure" for the Virginia Hopkins Health Watch, Dr. John Lee writes:

"The most important thing I want to tell you about high blood pressure is that it can almost always be lowered with lifestyle changes... But the conventional medical wisdom is that patients won't make lifestyle changes, and so the automatic response to high blood pressure is to prescribe a drug that will reduce it. I believe, and there is plenty of research to support me, that these drugs have just as good a chance of killing you as the high blood pressure does, especially if you don't really need them".

A little Nachtmusik?

It seems that the attitude driving doctors to prescribe unnecessary blood pressure drugs is the same that always concludes studies of natural alternatives with "but it will never replace medications". As a matter of fact, slow breathing - with and without music - has helped thousand of people to avoid, reduce or even eliminate blood pressure medications. And a little Mozart sure helps the medicine go down easier!

Sabtu, 23 September 2017

Stress Relief and Relaxation Through the Use of Music Therapy

In today's fast paced lifestyle it is almost impossible to avoid stress whether we are at home or work. We must take any measures possible to help us manage such hectic lifestyles. Thankfully there are steps that we can take that will dramatically reduce the levels of stress that invade our everyday lives.

Learning how to truly relax will help you in your efforts to enjoy a stress free life. One of the most effective methods that you may use to bring a sense of ease to your life is music therapy. Listening to music has an amazing effect on how you feel inside and out.

Music therapy has been growing in popularity for the past years. We started our lives being carried in our Mother's womb for the first nine months of our existence.

Many experts believe that the rhythmic beat of our Mother's heart became so soothing to us that we created a deep seated need for some type of replication of that continual rhythmic pattern.

There are many different types of music that can be successfully used for creating a soothing, extremely relaxed atmosphere. Two of the most popular and widely used types of music are the natural sounds of nature such as a babbling brook, ocean waves or the sound of the trees rustling in the wind.

Then there is what is called New Age music which is a beautiful array of calming soundscapes. With the New Age music there are no melodies to grow tired of, no changing styles, beats or rhythms, just consistently soothing sounds with tranquil, slowly changing symphonic harmonies.

There has been much research done in the field of music therapy and it supports its effectiveness in a wide variety of areas including your overall mental health care. One of the strongest benefits of music therapy lies in its ability to promote relaxation.

The overwhelming amount of stress we all face in our lives these days leads to some very damaging effects on our health such as high blood pressure and increased tension which in turn will cause a vast array ailments.

This is why it is extremely important for all of us to search out methods that will help us in controlling the amount stress we are faced with on a daily basis.

Music therapy is so beneficial because it does not have to disrupt your day in any way, you can just simply have it playing in the background whether you are at work, home or in the car.

The benefits that you will receive just occur naturally, there is no effort on your part

Music has a way of calming the mind, body and soul. Many hypnotherapist use the soothing benefits of music to help guide their clients mind into a deep state of relaxation.

Once you begin to use music to help ease the tensions of the day it will not be long before you are hooked and you find yourself looking for every opportunity to just relax to the wonderful sounds of nature.

The use of music therapy has been shown to bring the listener into a more positive state of mind which has a wonderful effect on how that person views the world around them.

The calming benefits of the softer music will induce a sense of relaxation reducing the feelings of negativity which helps fight depression.

The damaging effects of stress are more evident in our high pressured society and you really need to take measures to eliminate the problems that can and will arise with your health and social interactions.

Turning to music therapy to help you with the overload of truly chronic stress that is taking over our lives is one of the most positive steps that you can take to bring some relaxation back into your life.


Senin, 11 September 2017

Choosing a Tattoo Design Getting Rock Star Ink a Rock Music Lifestyle

Some people start off with a very specific idea of what they want as a tattoo. A good tattoo artist can use their clients drawings, pictures & ideas and turn them into a piece of unique body art. Typically, the client meets with the artist to show them what they are looking for before any work is done. After getting all the information, the tattooist goes to work on a preparing the image for transfer to the skin.

Other people haven't got a clue as to what they want, they just want a tat. But, just popping into a tattoo parlor and asking them to just give you a tat will get you something you may regret. A tattoo is supposed to be personal, it's probably going to be on your body for the rest of your life and will have to stand the test of time. The choice of tattoo is an important decision that shouldn't be taken lightly. It's best to take some time and really think about what you want.

Most tattoo studios have huge collections of tattoo artwork known as "flash" on their walls and in portfolios. There can be hundreds or thousands of these images, depending on the parlor. Some of this artwork is original, created by the artists that work for the parlor. Mostly, the flash you'll see on the walls has been around for decades and not all that unique. As a budding rock star, this is probably not what you'll want your tat based on.

Personalality and lifestyle usually dictates the style of tattoo a person gets. There are die hard old-school individuals. These guys prefer the pin-up girl, American flag and the heart with "Mother" on it tattoos. These are the kinds of tats that sailors are so well known for. They bring up images of rough men, loose women, booze and smokey bars. These tattoos also seem to fit well with the heavy-metal crowd.

Tribal designs are currently some of the most popular styles of tattoos. They've managed to make their way across nearly all segments of the population. These often consist of curved lines, points, dots and other geometrically aligned elements. Tribal designs often hold significant meaning for the individual whether in a religious or social context. Typically, tribal tattoos are done in all black but not always. Where color is incorporated, black is often still the dominate color.

Celtic designs as well as Japanese and Chinese symbols have also become quite popular among the tattood masses. Similar in feel to the tribal designs, these symbolic images hold special meaning. Social and personal statements and words such as "love" or the name of a loved one are popular choices in this style of tattooing.

When choosing a tattoo design, it's important to keep some basic stuff in mind. First of all, where will this tattoo be going? Consider what impression you want to make on the world. Some designs may be best in a place that can be covered with clothing, while others are totally appropriate for anyone to see. It's really all about the individual and his or her lifestyle. Some people work in restrictive environments where tattoos can't be shown. If you're one of these people, getting a tattoo on your face, arm or hands could get you fired from your day job. Losing your source of income could really hurt you if you're still on your way to fame and fortune.

Once you've found the perfect design for your new tattoo, get the best tattooist you can afford to do the work. Never have a tattoo done by anyone that's not qualified. Having an amateur or second-rate tattoo done could be more than just embarrassing, it could kill you. Don't risk your health, only use tattoo artists that use new, sterilized needles and the proper equipment.

Believe it or not, the time of day you get your tattoo done is very important. Set your appointment with the tattooist as early as possible. In busy studios, your artist will work long hours. Just like anybody else, they get more tired throughout their shift. Although they can still put out quality work by the end of the day, they'll be fresher earlier on and their work will be that much better.

Once you've gotten your new tat, take good care of it. Don't soak it in water or expose it to the sun for the first few days. Keep it moisturized by using vaseline or whatever your tattoo artist recommends. It'll itch a bit as the skin starts to heal, but don't scratch it whatever you do. The ink is so close to the surface of your skin in those first few days that you can literally ruin the tat.

People that have the misfortune of getting a bad tattoo only have a few options. First, like a lot of people do, they can live with it. Even if it's not a great tat, it still tells the story of the experience. Tattoos can also be removed with lasers. Having a tattoo removed by laser can be painful and expensive though. The tattoo can be covered with a new tat. The problem here is that cover-ups often don't totally hide a bad tattoo. I've also seen signs over hatchets in tattoo parlors offering "instant tattoo removal" services. Tattoos were considered that permanent years ago.

Whether you choose an arm band tattoo, a pretty butterlfy tattoo, an old-school design or a tribal tattoo, choose wisely. Getting inked is a form of personal expression. Pick the imagery you add to your body with great care and you'll be happy with it for the rest of your life. And, if you're like a lot of tattood folks out there, you'll be inked over and over again.



Selasa, 29 Agustus 2017

Music Band Stardom and Living a Healthy Lifestyle

Why do you think it is that so many rock stars die young? It's obviously because their bodies burn out, often from all the drugs, smoking, and alcohol. They don't get enough sleep when a party all night, and when they are on the road their bodies go to heck, as there is no time to exercise, and it's one show after another and never enough sleep. Yes, I've mentioned that before, but sleep is a very important thing when you're setting the world on fire, and your fans are screaming at you for more.

Is it possible to live on the road and still live a healthy lifestyle? Yes, it actually is and there are some incredible stars in the movie industry who are all about business, very professional, eat right, and get plenty of sleep. They do not party all night, they do not play games, and they deliver to the fans exactly what they promised. These are the music stars, and the bands that we should promote, for their healthy lifestyle, and serious passion of music.

Now then, as I've traveled all around the United States, I've often met traveling rock bands at truck stops and they would run in and grab food at the truck stop, and run back and get on the bus after it was filled up, with another 300 to 500 miles to go to the next big city for tomorrow's gig. They would be sleeping on the bus as they drove, and they would be eating absolute garbage food. I don't know what you know about truck drivers, but many of them have diabetes from all the terrible food they eat on the road.

It takes a lot to eat right, and to exercise yet still travel as a band. However it is essential to do this, if you want to be in the business for a long time and keep making great music and satisfying fans at every stop. If you fail to satisfy the fans, they will stop buying your music. And then where will you be? You won't be worthy of the risk for more investment dollars from your promoters, and you will either burn out or fade away. It's a harsh life, but that's how it works.

If you are planning a road trip with your band, and you have gigs lined up along the way, don't forget about your health, because most rock stars die before their 50th birthday. It's a choice, live fast and die young, or live a healthy lifestyle and enjoy your wealth and riches when you retire. Please consider all this.


Minggu, 06 Agustus 2017

Baby Boomers And Music - Reasons They Never Forget Rock And Roll

When the music gets too loud there is a problem for baby boomers. Baby boomers were part of a generation in music that defined so much of what is heard now. There are covers done by bands and rappers that borrow hooks from songs from the 60s and 70s. Baby boomers don?t need to cover their ears when they hear the music of today, but embrace what their generation did for modern music.

When baby boomers were growing up, music was an important part of society. Icons were first taking form such as The Beatles or The Rolling Stones. Music was about life and changes. Music had meaning and reached into the heart and soul of the baby boomers. Not much has changed in that respect. Baby boomer musicians are still creating songs about getting older. However, the music still stays the same. Baby boomers can rock out and enjoy the music now just as they did when they were younger.

The rock and roll lifestyle wasn't always glitz and glam. The 60s saw the demise of several rock icons. Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and Freddie Mercury all succumbed to the lifestyle. There deaths were just as much as a part of the culture as any other thing that happened in that time. They went too far and took the rock and roll culture to a further point. Their music is still celebrated and looked upon as unique, trendy and still remains current to this day.

Baby boomers learned how to move on because it doesn't pay to wallow in sadness. Musicians from that time are still making music. The Rolling Stones recently went on a tour that was one of the most successful in the country. They made money while young and old rocked out to their music. Music of the baby boomer generation transcends different cultures. Take at look at Aerosmith or Bob Seger. These are all musicians that maintained over the years and continue to rock even into their later years. Just because you?re old doesn't mean you aren't allowed to have fun. Baby boomers will argue they deserve it most because they have created a culture that won?t soon be forgotten.

Rock and roll isn't just about the music though. Rock and roll is about an attitude. It?s a way of life. A life the baby boomers exemplify. They live life to the fullest, doing everything they can and never getting cheated. However, the ones that took this attitude too far are the ones that suffered. If you look at baby boomers and all they have done in life, you see this attitude. They have worked in the best jobs, enjoyed life by going on great vacations and have bought the best things life has to offer.

Rock and roll is about not selling out. That is why rockers have great contempt for anyone they have deemed a sell out. This doesn't change with age. Baby boomers still aim to have fun even though their lives have gotten busier and they have more responsibilities. The more work they have to do just means a bigger reward in the end.

For baby boomers who have forgotten that lifestyle, there is still time to get it back. Throw on an old record or put on the classic rock station. You can even check out your grandson?s collection. There might be a band that reminds you of your youth. You will be able to listen to the bands and be reminded of the days that once were. Remember rock and roll is here to stay. You can always be a part of it.