I published this article a couple of years ago at the beginning of September and thought my new readers would enjoy some of these tips. For my wonderful readers who have been enjoying this newsletter for a while now, here is a reminder…
Summer holidays are over.
The kids return to school.
Everything else starts – and the hours in the car – going to music lessons, dance lessons, karate, soccer – and a myriad of other activities.
Overnight – our schedules go from “easy, breezy days of summer” to “crazy busy!”
And then there is the first rush of colds as soon as the schools fill up. And our immune systems take on their first big “hit” of the season.
Welcome to the beginning of September.
Whew!! How do we keep our cool in the midst of this frenzy?
Glad you asked…
Here are my “sound” suggestions for dissolving stress and sinking into serenity…
- Discharge excess nervous energy with a few deep “ahhhhs.”
- A relaxed heartbeat is from between 50 to 70 beats per minute. Check out your music selection and put on some sloooooow music. Your heart will match the beat of the music and calm you down and thank you for it.
- Use some specifically designed recorded music: The right choice of music can:
- Reduce cortisol in 10 minutes – cortisol is the “stress” hormone.
- Reduce anxiety
- slow heart beat and breathing rate
- lower blood pressure
- Effortlessly create the “relaxation response”
- boost the immune system
- reduce pain
- Here are some of my recommendations for recorded music (most of these are available or can be ordered from www.selfconnection.ca:
- Jonathan Goldman’s De-Stress CD. This music is a ‘triple whammy’ of stress relief. It uses slow rhythms to slow down breathing and heartbeat; brainwave entrainment to slow down the mind; and subliminal affirmations planting calm and ease into the subconscious mind.
- Steven Halpern’s Relaxation Suiteis a great choice for adding calm to your day. He also has great selections that use nature sounds like Ocean Suite and Seaside Slumber.
- Music to De–stress and Music to Relax, from the Sound Health Series,published by Advanced Brain Technologies is also a great choice for those who like classical music. This music has one of the highest levels of music technology and scientific study applied to its production.
- Calm from the Essential Sound Series produced by Joshua Leeds, one of the pioneers of this type of music, is also a great choice. It combines classical music with brainwave entrainment for adding a calming break to your day.
- Hemi-Sync® one of the companies who pioneered brainwave entrainment technology, has many excellent selections under their Profound Relaxation category.
- Dr. Jeffrey Thompson, another pioneer of brainwave entrainment technology, also has several selections that include beautiful music and nature sounds under the Relaxation category, like Alpha Relaxation Solution and Alpha Relaxation System.
Closer to home – check out some of my CDs. - Blissful Chimes: Slow down the 90 mile-an-hour mind. Experience a deep level of calm and relaxation with low keyboard sounds and beautiful, resonant chimes.
- Woodland Song: Be more productive while you work. This CD consists of woodland birdsong along with gentle bubbling water to offer you a focused mind and a relaxed body.
- Daily Serenity: Immune system booster. This CD uses the most powerful sounds I know to strengthen your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health.
So – pour a cup of tea, put on a CD and sink into serenity.