Relaxation Music

I’ve been doing a little research online, trying to find out what other people say about the benefits of meditation. I’ve read more than a couple of articles, which I’m sure, are all educational except for one thing – I didn’t understand a word. There are all sorts of thing like “detached observation”, “inner poise”, “emotional equilibrium”, etc. I know that the authors had the best intention in mind when they wrote those articles, but I was hoping on something that is, well, easier to understand. So, to share with you, I’ll be writing about meditation’s benefit in a way that’s much easier to understand.

Giving our mind a few minutes to relax after a hard day’s work is what meditation is all about. Our body is like a network, with the brain in control of everything. We won’t be able to stand, play, or breathe without the brain. Obviously, our brain still functions even if we are asleep. You know that little voice you hear even when you’re trying to relax? That’s the brain doing its work; reminding you of the kid’s baseball game tomorrow, the deadline at the office and the grocery list all at the same time. Kinda makes you crazy, doesn’t it?

Do your brain a little favor – meditate. It’s the only known practice to relax your mind after or before a long day’s work. Nothing can compare to that feeling of ease and peace after you meditate. Meditating is also known to wash off negative vibes such as anger and paranoia. When you meditate, you let go of everything. All you do is breathe, and breathe, and breathe. Not thinking of anything makes you not think of negative feelings, which releases tension thereby explaining that peaceful feeling.

Meditation is also known to increase concentration and strengthen the mind. Why? As I pointed out on an earlier post, fighting off thoughts isn’t easy. It’s actually hard that beginners tend to get frustrated which often makes them quit practicing meditation. The mind is like a muscle which becomes stronger with practice. The whole foundation of meditation is training your mind to concentrate, which you will eventually be able to apply on everything you do.

I don’t know if you’re aware of this but meditation has been known to be helpful to people who has difficulty breathing. I was one of these people. I don’t know why, but there were times when I felt like the air I was inhaling isn’t going through. Felt like something’s blocking my air passage that only very little air can pass. This problem became history a little after I practiced meditation. Breathing, especially slow breathing improves the rush of air into the lungs. This reduces breathing difficulty dramatically.

The points I have raised here are only a very few of the benefits known for practicing meditation. Personally, the main and biggest reason I meditate is because nothing, and I mean nothing, can beat the feeling of calm and harmony meditation gives me. It helped me become a better person, a better Dad, a better husband, a better friend… A better everything!

Many of us have an image of a person sitting cross-legged on the floor with eyes closed whenever we think of word meditation. Some may have an image of a monk, as many people associates meditation with Buddhism. Meditation is fast becoming popular all around the globe, with many people testifying on how great meditation for them is. Many were intrigued by meditation, some tried it but only a few became successful with it. What we need to understand is that meditation is actually hard work, and you may lose that zeal if you don’t put your heart to it. Meditation can bring wonders to people who practice it. Sad thing is, many don’t know where to start. To help you out, I’ll be giving you some tips on how to start with meditation.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT PLACE:

Finding the right place for meditation is one of the things that you need to consider. It should be somewhere private, so you won’t be disturbed. A spare room would be great, but if not, then you could set one section of your room as your meditation area. You might want a low table to mark your meditation area, and lighting a candle for meditation would be great too.

SILENCING THE CRAZY MONKEY:

This is where most people encounter the greatest challenge. We need to understand that the foundation of meditation is focusing you thoughts on one area, which will eventually bring you to thinking of nothing. Most people start meditation with a lot going on through their mind — the kids, the presentation tomorrow, the doctor’s appointments.  These thoughts that go through our minds all at the same time is what brings us stress. Getting this voice inside our mind, which Buddhists call the “crazy monkey”, to keep quiet is one of the main things you need to work on in order to have a successful meditation session.

15 MINUTES OF “ME” TIME:

This is especially hard for people who breathe, eat and live stress. We got to admit there are people who can’t either stop working or can’t stop thinking of work. There are also people who are comfortable with stress, and that’s not always good. I don’t think 15 minutes of meditation once or twice a day is too much to ask. This few minutes  that you spend thinking of nothing would help you face each day’s challenges, and would help you become better at facing your problems.

TACKLE FRUSTRATION:

This is very common for beginners. As I’ve said, focusing your attention on just one thing is a lot of hard work. It’s not as easy as it seems. Beginners would commonly get frustrated not being able to focus, yet you are not alone on this. Focus on your breathing every time you feel that frustration creeping up on you, and slowly bring your mind back to focus again. Do not expect to be a pro at this on the first few times. This takes practice, but you’ll surely be better at this in the long run.

A LITTLE HELP:

Many people find playing soft music on the background helpful when meditating. Music is a powerful tool when it comes to getting the concentration you need for meditation. Focus on each sound the music makes while listening to your breathing and this would help you focus more. Some prefers zen music, while some prefers the sounds of nature. Don’t be afraid to try different kinds of music until you find what best fits your style.

Also, since beginners find it difficult to meditate with their eyes closed, focusing on a lighted candle might help you get to the meditation state. Loose and light clothing would also help a lot, and be sure to take your shoes off.

SET A SCHEDULE:

Practicing meditation at the same time everyday helps your body and mind get to used it. Find a schedule that you’re sure you could keep but don’t let keeping the schedule bother you as this may cause more stress.

WRAPPING IT UP:

Slowly open your eyes when you’re ready to end the session. Stand up slowly, and feel that peaceful aura for as long as you can. Stretch a little, and be appreciative of the peaceful state you just had. If there’s a need to be conscious with time, then purchasing a meditation timer would be effective in ending your meditation without startling you with a loud alarm.

Contrary to popular belief, relaxation music isn’t just for when you’re sleeping or lying on your couch. This type of music is actually used for relaxing your mind, and not just your body. Relaxation music is very diverse that it can be used anytime, anywhere.  Let me share some activities that you can do while listening to relaxation music:

DRIVING:

Many people find driving very relaxing. I remember when I was young; my mom would hop in her car whenever she feels down. I can’t understand it when I was young, and I thought she was just off to the store or something. It was when I became a teenager that I ask her where she goes when she drives alone, and she told me that she drives along the country to enjoy the scenery. This relaxes her mind. That was a long time ago, and I don’t think relaxation music was already popular then. Just imagine, some people already become relaxed just by driving, how much more if you listen to a very relaxing music while doing so. Just a word of precaution though, you may become sleepy while driving and listening to relaxation music at the same time so be careful! =)

TAKING A BATH:

Taking a warm bath after a long day is well-proven to make you relax. Add a little music while enjoying the warm water and I’m sure you’ll forget about the deadlines and such at work (even for a while). Some prefers scented candle with the music, while some enjoys having a little wine while soaked at the bath tub. Do whatever floats your boat. Don’t be afraid to experiment!

HAVING A MASSAGE:

Don’t be afraid to reward yourself once in a while. Massage can relax muscles and increase blood flow to the skin. Many spas play relaxation music along with their massage sessions as it’s a sure way to extend their client’s relaxation. You can have a personal masseuse or masseur come over to your house, and have a massage session with your wife. It’s definitely a very good stress reliever, and I’m sure she’ll thank you for it.

WRITING:

If you’re like me who’s fond of keeping a journal, then you should try writing while listening to relaxation music. I don’t know about you but I like to keep records of the lessons life has taught me, for future reference, I guess. It helps me express what I want to say, and it helps me find out the best way to express it.  Music help clear out my mind, making way for the things I want to say come out in their best form. Listening to music while writing is really effective, you should try it some time.

DURING OFFICE BREAK:

Why don’t you try to relax during your breaks? Your mind and body is busy thinking and working the whole time, and it certainly deserves a break. Relax your mind while drinking a cup of coffee, or while having a sandwich. It certainly beats having a stick of smoke, and it will benefit your body more.

WHILE BAKING:

Many people, often women, find baking therapeutic. I don’t bake, but my sister does. Boy, does she make delicious cakes. I remember being sent a cake or a batch of cookies every time she and her husband argue. I asked her why, and she told me baking makes her relax and think of ways to solve the problem. Like me, she is also a fan of relaxation music. She incorporated listening to the music while baking, and she told me how wonderful the experience is. Don’t limit yourself to baking though, do whatever you find relaxing and try incorporating it with relaxing music. Again, don’t be afraid to experiment. Find what suits you and go for it!

WHILE WORKING ON YOUR COMPUTER:

Let’s face the fact; nobody can end their day without using the internet. Some uses the internet for business, some for work, and some for recreation. I know people who spend at least eight hours a day in front of their computer, and let’s admit that it’s not healthy. You can use relaxation music to balance it out. Even if you’re so tired in front of computer, or even if you find some really stressing news, at least your mind is relaxed and it’s more than ready to take in shock or stress or whatever you get from using your computer.

Unknown to some people, relaxation music isn’t only for adults. You may have heard of the benefits a baby can get from listening to classical music while still in the womb. Well, there are relaxation music for babies too.

New born babies needs at least 16-21 hours sleep a day and three month-old babies needs at least 13-15 hours of zzzzzzz. Babies who don’t get enough sleep tend to be irritated, which affects the whole family. Your baby’s cells are regenerated while they asleep, which makes the quality and amount of sleep they get important for their development.

Most parents find it difficult putting their babies to sleep. Some need pacifiers, and some needs to be carried until they doze off. I got a friend, to whom I share the wonders of relaxation music with. Unknown to me, she and her husband took it one step further by using relaxation music for their baby. She shared how her baby seemed to sleep better with the music on, plus her baby is less irritable during the day.

The kind of music that you need to get for your baby is one with a lullaby effect. The kind that blends music and natural sounds with intimate sounds of melodic humming would surely put your baby to a good night’s sleep.

Hearing soothing music would make your baby feel peace and security. This is important for the baby’s first months or years. The security that they feel during their formative years would go with them until they grow into adults, making them much better persons.

According to Dr. Mark Tramo, director of the Institute for Music and Brain Science, there is no known human culture without music. This is as a proof to recent findings that human is programmed to respond to music. You listen to a song with a fast-beat and you’ll feel like dancing too. You listen to a song with a tragic story and you’ll feel sad. This is just the same with listening to relaxation music, you listen to it and you get relaxed. It doesn’t matter if you are a baby or a full grown adult, relaxation music is sure to make you feel at ease.

People have their favorites. You and I have our favorite things. As with other things, I’m sure that people who have discovered the beautiful word of relaxation music have their favorite tracks too. Maybe the difference between me and the other fans of relaxation music is that I don’t always use the same kind of relaxation music for everything I do. Yes, although there are tracks that were specifically made to relax the listener, it’s sometimes up to the preference of the person to be relaxed by a certain track.

Check out this link [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBVi2TCHb64&feature=related] to hear the kind of music I usually play in the morning. Mornings tend to be chaotic, with everybody in the neighborhood rushing off to school or work. Unknown to many, mornings can be very stressful and that’s just not a good way of starting your day. I make sure to wake up early in the morning so I can have ample time to relax before starting my day.

I’m very pressured by my job. You know those kinds of jobs that, no matter what, will smash you down at the end of the day? That’s my job. I didn’t take notice before, but I’m becoming unhealthy because of the pressure my job brings. In order to balance it out, I play relaxation music whenever I’m all hyped up. I know adrenalin helps a person perform at his best but I can’t be hyper all day long. That’s what made me so tired at the end of the day. I like listening to Enya even for about ten minutes in between work, just to give my mind some time to rest.

After a busy day, I like to sit at my patio just listening to Zen music. I can’t help but think of ancient China whenever I listen to this kind of music, and it gives me goose bumps. I was fascinated by ancient China even as a kid, and listening to Zen music reminds me of the great wall, and the shaolins and the majestic emperors of the old China.

I shared in my first post that I first encountered relaxation music because of my insomnia. Well, it was long gone but listening to relaxation music has become a habit. Some of my favorites are tracks by Tony O’Connor, which is guaranteed to give you a good night’s sleep. You can check his website at http://www.tonyoconnor.com.au/home.htm to listen to samples from his album. I’ll sure you’ll like it, just like I did.

Relaxation music is a completely natural way to assist relaxation. With the hassles and bustles of the modern world, people can no longer afford the luxury of relaxation – not unless they take a break from their work to have a vacation. But with the recession and all, who can afford that?

Relaxation music is relaxation inside a box. You can play it anywhere, anytime you like. You can even play it while in your office, although I don’t really suggest that. I tried doing it once, and I wasn’t able to work for a full five minutes. It made so relaxed that I forgot I have very important things to do. If relaxation music was able to make me feel that way while in a fast-paced place, imagine how relaxed it can make you feel if you’re in a quiet place, just listening to the music.

Music affects our body in numerous ways. It can bring more positive state of mind, helping to keep anxiety and depression away. It can also lower blood pressure, and reduce stress at the same time.

I remember when I develop short-term insomnia due to stress about a year ago. I really hated that period of my life. I can go to sleep with no problem whatsoever, but I frequently wake up during the night. I probably wake up every 20 minutes or so, and it just bugs me. Aside from bugging me during the night, I can’t function well during the day. I feel like I’m floating around, without the energy to do my work. Being not able to do my work well adds to the stress, which triggered the insomnia in the first place. I decided to go to the doctor after about 2 weeks of not having a good night’s sleep. I was given some medication, which was great. The only problem is that I can’t let go of the medications even after I took it for the prescribed number of days. I did some research on the internet and what I found out changed my life forever.

I found out that my doctor didn’t tell me everything I need. I found out that the best treatment for insomnia entails both non-medical and medical therapy. Yes, it was good that my doctor gave me medication, but apparently, that’s not enough. That’s when I learned about the wonderful benefit of relaxation music. I wasted no time purchasing an album on relaxation music.

I learned to dim my lights and play the music prior to going to bed every night. It wasn’t that successful right away though. I don’t like any noise when I sleep, and I had to adjust my self to listening to something as I go to sleep. It took me about two or three nights before I became comfortable with the music accompanying me to bed.I started having deep sleep which gave me the energy I needed for the next day.

I fell in love with relaxation music ever since. Not only do I play relaxation music when going to sleep though. I also play it when I’m really stressed, like when I’m just done with a presentation or I sometimes play it during a break in the office to help me go through with my day.

Relaxation music is one of the best things in my life and I hope it will be effective for you too!