Music, music, music!

Music has to be one of my favourite hobbies in life. Not a day goes by that I don't engage with it in one way or another. I love the genres of pop, jazz, classic and R&B.

Music is the key to the soul of expression and creativity. Our favourite melodies release dopamine, known as the feel-good hormone, which activates our brain's pleasure and reward system.

Music activates almost all of your brain’s different regions and networks. As it is a mood enhancing regulator, it also strengthens connections between different parts of the brain including; emotions, wellbeing, focus & concentration and movement.

Music can have a positive, immediate impact on our mental state, fast tempos can psychologically arouse us, helping energise us for the day. Slower tunes can be relaxing and enhancing.

Science has proven that music has a positive and profound impact on our mental and physical health. It can aid to clear our minds, help us focus and it's great for our general wellbeing. It can help combat stress and tension.

Music stimulates the brain which in turn helps with pain relief, reducing stress and improves memory. A study from Harvard has shown that relaxing music may lower blood pressure and heart rate after physical exertion.

I like to aim to start the first part of my day listening to music. It stimulates me and boosts my morale.

My husband and I went to a Jools Holland concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London. We enjoy listening to music across the genres and with the different artists and wealth of musical equipment available, the performance really delivered. You come out feeling upbeat! The photo at the bottom was taken at the concert.

And to catch you all up, the process art session at the end of last week was very therapeutic. It was about letting go of any inhibitions and trusting in the process. There were no right or wrong which gives ones mind freedom and control.

It is a lesson to all of us to learn to let go at times and trust the process. It is not about making our world perfect, we need to make sure we are engaging with ourselves and others and experiencing as much as we can by sometimes moving the restrictions we put on ourselves.

Music was played in the background of the process art session to assist us to relax and contemplate the exercise and release that restriction we may have had on ourselves. The selection of music was gentle as to not to distract from the purpose of the exercise at all.

There are lots of ways to engage with music - look out for great apps to vary your music. There are so many places you can go to and watch live music. There's something for everyone.

On the music apps options are endless. Here are a few of my music recommendations (there is so much!)-

Jazz- search the albums - “Jazz in the background”, “smooth Jazz beats”, “Jaz Rap” - I like to listen to Jazz to relax to and I find it also inspires my creativity.

R&B - “Chill R&B”, “Chill R&B Mix”, “R&B Slow Jams”

Classical - “Classic FM Hall of Fame 2023”, “Pop goes Classical”, “Relaxing modern classical music for focus and relax”

Music has the ability to put you in the right frame of mind and is great for productivity.

I want to encourage all of you to do one thing that is out of your comfort zone this week and listen to music if you can while you are doing it!

Competition time: send me a photo of you doing an activity that is out of your comfort zone before midday (GMT) on Sunday 18th June. The winning photo will win a zoom introductory coaching session. (Please note I will not share the photo here).

Please pass these articles on to a friend or give them the details to subscribe. https://lisajosephlifecoaching.beehiiv.com/subscribe. And happy listening until next time!

Send me a Whatsapp today so we can arrange a few life coaching sessions either face to face or on zoom. It will change your tune for life ♪♫♬ (see what I did there!)

Life is good,
Lisa

[email protected] 
+44 7958 342522

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