Page 17 - Family Wellness - Spring/Summer 2016

Soul Food
How music can improve your mood and your health
Sometimes a great song is all you need to turn a terrible day into a great one. Turn up the volume, dance around, air guitar, and voila! You’re all better. But why is that? Dr. Christopher Karam, M.D. from Performance, says it’s because it is related to the regulation of neurotransmitters in the brain.
Colorful
In short, music can stimulate you, even enough to exercise harder or longer, thus improving your overall health. On the other end of the spectrum
it can calm you, reducing levels of stress and anxiety thus improving your mental health. So
he says music isn’t directly making you healthier but it’s a powerful enough influence to have a secondary positive effect on your health.
Music is subjective to each individual, so there’s no magic playlist that will work for everyone. Dr. Karam says, “We all are wired differently.”
You should choose whatever music makes you feel the most comfortable.” For him it’s not one type or specific genre that improves his mood. Instead he chooses music that reminds him of memorable moments and time periods in his life. Whether you are looking to get up off the couch, get out of your headspace, need a good cry or feel like dancing, cue the music.
MOOD MUSIC
For true relaxation Dr. Rizkalla recommends spa-
type music, preferably without words. Making time to meditate, even for just 2 or 3 minutes, can be revitalizing. Here’s a quick play list that’s sure to soothe you.
Have you been avoiding entertaining at home because some home improvement project isn’t finished? Maybe you wish your kitchen was redone, or that the hole in the foyer ceiling was patched. Let’s be honest, work around the house will never be all done. Instead of hiding out, how about changing the focus and simply adding a splash of color to brighten up the place. Here’s five ways to easily add color to any home, making for a happier space and you.
Place a colorful vase of 1 flowers in the powder
room. No need to be frilly. This can be a simple gathering of greens
right from your backyard.
2 Add bright dishtowels to your kitchen. Lilac Grey, Rose and Buttercup are all hot shades this spring.
Add a yellow shirt to 3 your wardrobe.
4 Add throw pillows or an accent blanket to the couch. Go for bold colors here.
5 Now call your friends and invite them over, and serve them a drink on a colorful cocktail napkin.
SOLUTIONS
l BOADICEA by Enya
l AMERICAN BEAUTY by Thomas Newman
l DEEP THETA 4 HZ by Steven Halpern
l WILLOW
by Helen Jane Long
l FIREFLY SANCTUARY by Jalan Jalan
Spring/Summer 2015
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Turn It Up Music stimulates the brain and has been shown to improve mood and even help with memory and sleep.