10 Health Benefits Of Listening To Music

Listening to music can be a lot of fun – and it can also bring plenty of health benefits too. 

woman listening to music

Below, I explore 10 health benefits you can enjoy as you listen to your favourite artists.

Boosts mood

For a start, music has the power to boost our mood and make us feel happier. It’s hard to imagine hearing your favourite song and not enjoying a burst of excitement as you listen to it. Why not blast it out on your record player and enjoy that buzz yourself!

Connects us

Music can bridge gaps between people and help us become closer. If you have a shared music taste then suddenly you can bond with people very quickly.

Alleviates depression

Research has shown that music can help soothe the symptoms of depression. Whether you’re listening to relatable or feel-good songs, music can soothe muscle tension, boost creativity, improve self-esteem and provide you with a safe emotional release.

Improved exercise

Research has also shown that music can help make your exercise more effective. Music can help create a rhythm response where your muscles work to keep in time with the beat. This can make the body more efficient with energy and provide you with the motivation to work for longer.

Reduces stress

Some calming slower music can also help reduce stress. If your mind is going at 100mph it’s always helpful to put something relaxing on and slow your thoughts down. Music triggers biomechanical stress reducers and should be one of your first ports of call when it’s all getting too much.

Provides comfort

Music can also be a source of comfort for you at any moment. Everyone has those songs that can make them feel better and more relaxed during trying times.

Stimulates memories

Songs can carry potent memories with them. Perhaps there are songs that remind you clearly of your childhood. Or maybe you have some songs that remind you of your days at university. Either way, music is a wonderful way of connecting with your past.

Keeps your brain healthy in old age

Music can be a useful remedy for people suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s. It’s a useful way for people to recall lost memories and maintain cognition as they enter old age.

Can boost heart health

Blood flows more easily when music is played. This can help reduce heart rate, lower blood pressure, decrease cortisol (stress hormone) levels and increase serotonin and endorphin levels in the blood.

Far from being just a nice distraction, music actually has many clear mental and physical benefits. Just listen to your favourite album today and you’ll quickly notice the benefits.

*Collaborative post
Posted by at No comments
Labels:

Different Varieties Of Grapes For Italian Wines

Italy is a beautiful country and is known for its amazing food and drink. It's a place where people who love amazing gastronomy go. If you are a food expert or just love Mediterranean food and drink, I bet you've tried Italian wine.  From Pinot Grigio made from the grape of the Pinot family to Moscato wine made from the Moscato grape, there are many styles and varieties of Italian wines and many different varieties of grapes used. Let's have a look more in detail at these. 

Italian wine

How many varieties of grapes are there in Italy?

Italy is known all around the world for its delicious wine but did you know there are over 350 varieties of grapes allowed to be planted to make Italian wine? I bet most of us can't even name a handful! Let's have a look at what the most popular grape varieties are. 

Sangiovese

The Sangiovese grape is the most widely planted in the whole of Italy. This grape has been grown around central Italy for generations and is now grown around Tuscany, Umbria and Corsica. Wine made from the Sangiovese grape has rich red fruit flavours such as strawberries and cherries. 

Pinot Gris

Pinot Gris or Pinot Grigio is a white wine grape variety that is made from grapes with greyish, white, and/or purple skins. When the grapes are ripe, they give off tropical flavours, whilst less mature grapes will have sharper citrus tones. This grape is found in the Lombardy region of Italy.

Merlot

Merlot is a dark blue–coloured wine grape variety. It is used in various wines as a blending grape as well as on its own. It is grown in the Friuli wine region in the northeast of Italy. It is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc or Sangiovese. The Merlot grape generally has flavours of red fruits and chocolate.  The Italian Merlot wine is characterised by its light 

body and herbal notes due to the terroir (soil and climate) in which it is grown.

That's not unique to Italy; it's just how wine works everywhere," says Curtis Hascall, head winemaker at Shale Oak Winery in Paso Robles. "The same grape planted in two different places will give you two genuinely different wines, because the soil, the sun exposure, and even the fog patterns all leave their mark. It's one of the things that makes wine more interesting than almost any other agricultural product

Moscato

The Moscato or muscat grape ranges from white to pink and makes sweet wine with a floral aroma. In Italy, it is primarily grown in the Piedmont region and is used in the production of Asti Spumante, a sweet sparkling wine that is popular around the world where it is one of the wines of choice for celebratory toasts. 

Barbera

Barbera is a red Italian wine grape variety. It is known for its deep colour, high acidity and low tannins. It produces medium body wines with cherry as well as other red and black fruit flavours. It is found in the northwest part of Italy, although it is also found less commonly in the south. 

So here are some of the different varieties of grapes used in Italian wines.  There are many more. Did you recognise some of these grape varieties? 

*Collaborative post

Posted by at No comments
Labels: ,

How To Make A Modular Garden

Modular gardens are all the rage these days. They consist of various modules made of wooden boards, shelving and boxes placed on the horizontal and vertical planes. Not only do they allow you to maximise the sunlight your plants get, but they also allow you to use your garden for a better variety of things. When friends come over, you can effectively “put away” your garden to create the most space possible. Or, you can just change things around any time you feel like it - the possibilities are endless with a modular garden.

Make a vertical modular garden

modular garden



Want to save space for your kids to play in the garden but still want to grow plenty of vegetables, flowers and herbs? If so, a modular vertical garden will give you the best of both worlds.

The first step is to build or find some shelves on which to put your planter boxes. Go for a light yet durable material that’s easy to move around. Michael on Instructables uses cedar fence pickets.

Then, construct or choose your planters. You’ll need something deep enough for your selected plants’ root systems that can also hook onto or sit upon the rungs of the shelves. You may be able to attach hooks onto your existing pots, while you can place heavier planters directly on the shelves.

Make a portable raised bed

raised bed

Raised beds are the ultimate convenient gardening solution. Not only do raised beds allow easier access to your vegetable patch, but they also make for easier picking, maintenance, and control. However, the raised bed has just one fatal flaw - its massive size. Stuck in the middle of the garden, your raised bed has no opportunity to capitalise on that precious sunlight that moves around the ground or that cosy spot up against the wall.

Whereas if your raised bed were smaller and more portable, you could move it into the greenhouse when the weather grows harsh.

One way to make your raised beds more portable is to build them smaller. Keep them just as deep, but make them half the size. Make sure to add a base you can put wheels on, or else lift your raised bed onto a skateboard or plant pot moving tool if you’ll be moving your raised bed less frequently.

You could also use particularly large or deep wheeled pots as raised beds. These pots are a great ready-made solution.

Use pots

bicycle pots

As your houseplants grow more extensively, you will probably repot them into more suitable containers, right? Well, why not just keep your plants in such containers in the garden, too? Smaller pots can be kept on old tea trays or baking trays for ease of moving, while you can group larger pots in a wheelbarrow or old pram.

You don't have to stick to just pots, either - take this opportunity to get creative! An old children's bike makes a great portable plant container. Bonus points if it still has its basket or doll seat. Old boots are another attractive planting option. You could even plant flowers in an old cracked bowl since this means the flowers still get drainage.

Use layers

A layered garden is a great way to keep plants that don’t get along separate from each other and prevent plants from encroaching on your space. As plants grow and need more space, you can rearrange the partitions to offer more. Or, as other plants come to require different environmental conditions throughout the year, you can reposition them throughout the garden with ease. Pallet planters are a great way of layering a garden. 

This plastic garden edging allows you to keep your lawn separate from your flowerbed or path, for example, without soil or stones spilling over.

*Collaborative post
Posted by at No comments
Labels: , ,

What Jewellery Would A Mum Love?

When you want to buy some jewellery for your mum, you may want to take her personal preferences into account before parting with your money. At the same time, it can also be a good idea to think about the different types of jewellery that are available. Some types may be more suitable for your mum, and her lifestyle, than others. In doing so, you may be able to find a great gift for her birthday, Christmas, Mother's Day, or even simply just to show that you care.

mum

One of the items that you could consider could be a necklace. Chisholm Hunter has a range of necklaces that could pique your interest, and some of them contain little Fabergé eggs within the design. Buying a showstopping necklace means it should be worn with pride. For work, she may be able to keep it underneath her uniform or other clothing. One of the benefits of the Fabergé design can be that, should she want to go somewhere a bit more upmarket, the necklace will be the perfect accessory. Check what metal she prefers, she may love yellow gold, rose gold, white gold or silver. Different coloured metals suit different complexions. Platinum is very pure if she has allergies.

If your mother tends to wear sandals a lot, or simply prefers more hidden pieces of jewellery, you could opt for an anklet. This could allow your Mum to wear it on special occasions, when on holiday, or even under her everyday clothing. She might like the idea of having something to connect you with her, even when you aren’t around, that isn’t on display for everyone to see. You may also want to think about the design that you choose. Something with a heart, an eternity symbol, or flowers could be a great design that could suit your mother. 

mum and daughter

A popular item of jewellery to buy mum is a charm or bead bracelet. If you buy her one as a present, it's easy to buy a charm or bead for it every Mother's Day, Christmas or birthday. Check if she already has one first. Brands such as Pandora or Lovelinks are popular for bead bracelets and Thomas Sabo is popular for a charm bracelet. These brands bring out charms specifically for mums, or you can buy charms with her initial on, her star sign, or other designs that mean a lot. This means you get a personalised bracelet that is unique to her.

Check if she has her ears pierced. A pair of earrings is a great gift for a mum and it suits all budgets. You could buy her a pair of earrings which are gold and diamonds or you could buy a pair of earrings that are silver or even costume jewellery. 

What Do you Think?

While people can advise you on the different forms of jewellery that exist, ultimately you are one of the people who know your mum best. If she has a sentimental piece she may not want to remove it for a new item, so avoid replacing it.  Has she dropped hints as to what she would like?  Regardless of these ideas, a heartfelt gift from their child would really make any mum smile.

*Collaborative post
Posted by at No comments
Labels: ,

What Parents Should Know About MRI Scans For Children

An MRI scan is a medical procedure used to diagnose medical conditions, especially neurological ones. An MRI scanner uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images of the internal organs. This process provides detailed views of the inside of the body, allowing doctors to examine areas that may be inaccessible through other forms of imaging.

MRI scanner

Technology and diagnosis are improving all the time with the use of MRI scanning. In the future, MRI scans may be even available as routine according to Dr Timothy Steel. How amazing is that?!

For parents who have children who need MRI scans, you may have many questions regarding how your child will be affected during the diagnostic process and how you should be preparing your child for an MRI scan. In this article, let's review some important information parents should know about MRIs for children.

1) MRI machines can be deafening for children

Many kids consider the loud noises coming from an MRI machine uncomfortable or painful to bear. Fortunately, some measures can be put into place to reduce the volume of the sounds and keep them safe and comfortable during examinations.

The most common way to minimize noise exposure and manage volume levels is ear protection. Earplugs or headphones which cover your child's ears may be provided by your physician or medical care team so they can endure a scan without discomfort. In some cases, it may also be possible for your child to listen to music while they remain within the scanner.

2) Some children experience claustrophobia during MRIs

While many children have no problems going into the MRI machine, some experience claustrophobia or fear of being in closed spaces. If your child has had an MRI before and they have been unable to complete it, make sure you let your physician know when scheduling an appointment. In some cases, your doctor may be willing to perform a scan with special positioning or take care when moving them in and out of the enclosed scanner tube. They could also recommend another type of imaging that doesn't require entering a scanner tube.

3) MRIs can take a long time to complete

Most MRI scans take between 15 and 90 minutes to complete or can be more than that, depending on the number of images needed and the part of the body scanned. Medical professionals will be able to tell you exactly how long an MRI for children takes based on the specific procedure they need to be done.

For kids who are unable to stay still for long periods, an MRI scan may be very challenging because MRI scanners are very sensitive to people who can't stay still. Because of this, your doctor may prescribe medications, like sedatives, to help reduce kids' anxiety and keep them calm during the imaging process.

4) The child might feel unwell after the MRI scan

Most kids enjoy running around and exploring open fields. Thus, they might feel lightheaded or dizzy after exiting the machine. This is because they are not used to being in a closed, dark space for an extended period.

If your child complains after an MRI scan or seems disoriented when coming out of the scanner, give them some time before they are allowed to go back into strenuous activities. They may also benefit from having something small to eat and drink, like a snack bar or juice box, which can help re-energize their body after being inside the scanner.

5) Children who have metal implants cannot have MRIs

When undergoing any medical imaging procedure, the patient must be free of metal implants when entering the machine. This includes things like shrapnel, pacemakers, surgical screws, plates, coils, or any metallic object that may interfere with the technology of an MRI machine.

If your child has metal implants in their body, let the medical professional know before they start the scan. They can then advise you on how to proceed, whether or not the implant is MRI-compatible, and if they can do the imaging process with the implant intact or if it needs to be surgically removed beforehand.

6) The benefits of MRI scans are far greater than the risks

MRIs are safe for children. Any medical procedure carries along with it some risks. However, the risks involved with MRIs can be avoided if enough care is taken. Prior consultations with your healthcare professional can also help mitigate the risks involved.

7) Preparing for the scan

To make sure your child has a positive experience when undergoing an MRI, talk to your local radiology office beforehand about any questions you have regarding how they operate the equipment and what you can expect from your child's time there. It would also be best to understand what safety precautions they take because rare events may occasionally require emergency action.

Another important thing is to talk to your child about the upcoming medical procedure. Ensure they understand what will happen when it'll happen, and if any special preparation needs to be done beforehand. This can help reduce their anxiety during the medical scan.

*This post is for information purposes only it does not offer medical advice. 
Posted by at No comments
Labels:

Storage Solutions To Fit Your Life With Lifewit

When you are looking for ways to organise your home you may not know where to start. You may have so many clothes, books, blu-rays discs and work files. I know I do. Then there are the kid's toys that are everywhere.  That's before you include your other half's collections of Dr Who DVDs! Well, today I have a solution for you. A company called Lifewit make affordable storage solutions for everyday living.

Lifewit makes homeware solutions that can help make you organised and keep your home tidy. They sell everything from storage bags to bedding, bathmats to doormats, laundry hampers to cooler bags.

I am going to talk about some of their storage solutions today. 

You can buy Lifewit products from their Amazon page or directly through the Lifewit website. 


storage

Lifewit large capacity storage bags

When you need roomy storage bags to organise your space, the Lifewit large capacity storage bags could be a great option. These large-capacity storage bags are made of a thick padded material and have reinforced seams for strength. The handles if also made of a thick fabric doubled over for strength. It is easy to see what is in the large-capacity storage bags as there is a clear window at the front of the storage bag. Two-way zippers make the bags easy to open. When not in use they are easy to store as there is no metal internal support. Each storage bag has a capacity of 90L. 

The storage bags are available in neutral colours of grey, black and blue, that could fit into most colour schemes. They make perfect storage solutions for keeping blankets and pillows fresh out of season, for storing bulky items like winter coats or for storing and putting away last seasons clothes. You could also use them for the kid's toys and students could take them to university for their storage needs.



Lifewit collapsable storage cubes 13 inches


Another item I want to mention today is the Lifewit collapsable storage cubes. The ones above come in a package of 6 and are 13 inches in diameter. They are also available in 10.5 inches in diameter too.  These storage cubes are made of a high-quality non-woven fabric and cardboard insert that has been precision stitched, these storage bins are firm and durable for prolonged use. They each have a handle and are open to the top. When not in use they can be collapsed to store away without taking up much space. All materials are bio-degradable and safe to use.  These storage cubes are versatile and are great for the living room to store magazines, or for the bedroom to store clothes. 

The Lifewit collapsable storage cubes are available in beige, black, light grey and dark grey and will fit into most colour schemes in your home.

There are more storage solutions on the Lifewit website. What I love about their products are the affordable price point, the neutral colours and the quality. Let me know would you use these storage solutions in your home? What would you store in these storage cubes? 

*AD
Posted by at No comments
Labels: ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)