Weightless- 8 Minute Video By Marconi Union To De-Stress Before Bed

Going through challenging times? Anxiety and stress causing distress? Apparently researchers at the Mindlab Institution have discovered that an instrumental tune by Marconi Union, titled "Weightless" can decrease anxiety by 65% and your pulse rate by 35%. This can actually induce calm. The eight minute video below, produced in collaboration with the British Academy of Sound Therapy, is a combination of piano, guitar and "manipulated field recordings", along with low tones..

Jamie Crossley, Duncan Meadows, and Richard Talbot make up the Brit trio Marconi Union.

The tune is considered to be the most relaxing tune ever.

Enjoy.

Music Helps With Chronic Pain

For those who suffer or have ever suffered with chronic pain, you know how debilitating that can be. It colors your whole world. I have fortunately kept mine, for the most part, in check with herbs and supplements (with a very occasional Aleve).  But in some cases certain herbs that are good for pain and inflammation aren't always good for people on certain allopathic medications. Turmeric (Curcumin), for example, is a wonderful anti-inflammatory and part of my Rheumatoid Arthritis regimen, but people on blood thinners (Coumadin etc) should not take Turmeric.  Same thing with ginger.  And sometimes, just like western medicine, certain herbs are of no help either..  So what can people who would rather shun western medicine, or can't do herbs turn to for help with pain?  Music, apparently.

According to an article in the U.K. Telegraph, research by Lloyds pharmacy found that listening to music can actually help ease pain. It's not a huge percentage but 41 percent- or four in ten people- found some relief.

The younger generation seemed to benefit the most, with 66 percent of  16 to 24-year-olds finding relief.

As for the genre of music:

Pop music was found to be the most effective for 21 per cent of patients, followed by classical (17 per cent) and rock or indie (16 per cent).

The most effective songs were "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon and Garfunkel, "Angels" by Robbie Williams, and "Albatross" by Fleetwood Mac.

These were followed by "Candle in the Wind" by Elton John, and "Easy" by "The Commodores".

Lloyds Pharmacy is now adding music as part of its "pain service" in some of its locations on a trial basis.

According to David Bradshaw of The University of Utah Pain Management Centre:

 "People in pain should try to find some activity to get fully engaged in. Listening to favourite music is excellent for that because it can involve both thoughts and feelings. No matter how anxious you may feel, if you can get absorbed in the music this can help with your pain. Choose music you like and know well, humming or singing along can help you engage in listening and distract you from your pain."

So grab whatever music makes you feel good and see if it works for you.

Keys To Happiness: Mayo Clinic Atrium Impromptu Piano Concert By Senior Couple Video

I love videos that make me smile, and seeing older playful couples who seem as much in love as they probably were when they first fell in love, makes my heart full.

This mid 80s to 90 plus year-old couple, married for 62 years, were in the atrium of the Mayo Clinic, in 2008, and apparently just started an impromptu piano recital.  Jodi Hume, who was there with her mother, heard the music and the laughter and approached the couple asking them if they would play one more tune.  They obliged, and she captured this wonderful video of Fran and Marlow Cowan. It eventually went viral after Jodi included the video when she posted on sharing.mayoclinic.org.

Watch how much fun they have with each other, and tell me it doesn't put a smile on your face.  Their love and playfulness is probably what has kept them together for so long.

Fran and Marlow were still healthy in 2011 when they were featured on an Iowa PBS show called Need To Know, in a segment called "Healthily Ever After", about the benefits of a happy marriage.

Enjoy!