Wednesday, 7 February 2018

Is it time to learn a new tune? Benefits of learning to play a new instrument.



Is learning to play a musical instrument a dream that you know will never happen? Well, as the old quote goes: “the distance between your dreams and reality is called action.” You can learn to play an instrument like a pro, and once you hear all the benefits that come along with playing music, you’ll be more motivated than ever! Take a look.

Physical Benefits of Learning to Play an Instrument


Extensive studies have shown that children display long-term positive results from playing musical instruments. In fact, the benefits of music have been proven more effective in strengthening abstract reasoning skills in younger and older children than does teaching them computers skills.

Kids aren’t the only ones who can reap the benefits of learning an instrument. Adults will also gain tremendously from playing a musical instrument. Music has been shown to reduce stress, increase productivity, develop creativity, and build confidence. 
Here are a few ways you can live a better, happier, healthier life just by picking up an instrument and learning to play the music you love.

Music and the Brain


You’ve probably heard that playing a musical instrument makes you smarter, but is that really true? Let’s take a look at how music affects the brain to answer that question. There has been a ton of research done to determine whether music is simply a mood enhancer or if it does something in the brain to improve cognitive processes. 

Recent discoveries have led scientists to believe that both listening to and playing a musical instrument makes you smarter because these activities actually release more BDNF, CREB, and synapsin I, all elements that strengthen mental capacities. So playing a musical instrument produces brain-building compounds and neural growth factors that are making you smarter, stronger, and better at doing activities throughout your day.

Some of the brain benefits of learning a musical instrument include increased comprehension and math skills, better coordination, and a greater capacity for memory. Another question on this subject is does music help you study? According to these finding, yes. Playing music will make learning easier by involving both sides of the brain in the process. 

So studying an instrument will be easier than studying any other subject since you’re growing your brain power as you practice and learn!

The Social Benefits of Music


Music is also proven to help tremendously in social situations, including work environments, friendships, and even more involved relationships. The training that the mind and body go through to develop musical comprehension is the same as the training required to develop speech and verbal skills, essential components in any relationship.

Additionally, music training develops the same muscles that will assist you in cooperation, time-management, organization, and concentration/listening skills. These are all skills that any relationship management expert will tell you are necessary for navigating healthy relationships.

Music training also strengthens a person’s self-expression and helps you to break out of your inhibiting barriers (get up there and play!). So develop your musical talents, and you will be a team leader no matter where you go!

Emotional Benefits of Learning to Play


It’s no secret that music plays on our emotions. The right song can make us feel elated, angry, or confused. Music can make us cry before our brain has even had time to ask why. Music has a powerful pull on our emotions, and you don’t need to be a scientist to confirm this as fact.


What’s more, playing music can have some fascinating psychological benefits. Regularly playing an instrument teaches you perseverance, discipline, and responsibility, important skills for accomplishing anything in life. Playing music also fills you with a sense of accomplishment; after all, you should feel good about mastering a song, difficult chord, or instrument!

Most of all though, playing music makes people happy! There are few pleasures in this world that can be compared to the high you feel from sitting down with your own instrument and letting your soul flow through your body and out across the freeing flowing chords of a musical piece. Discover the stress-relieving power of playing your own song.

Tap into the Benefits of Music

Now that you know the massive benefits of learning a musical instrument, you’re probably flooding your brain with questions like “What instrument should I play?” Or maybe you just want to play the easiest instrument to learn, or if you’re feeling extremely ambitious, the hardest. Explore the wonderful world of music slowly, and try your hand at one or more instruments you enjoy. 





Source
References: https://www.joytunes.com/blog/learn-to-play/benefits-of-learning-to-play-a-musical-instrument/

Saturday, 27 January 2018

Monday, 11 December 2017

It takes more than 'stuff' to make us happy....



Can we all be the architects of happier lives if we dump the clutter? Interesting idea, not sure how many of us would have the courage to do it!

Sunday, 10 December 2017

15 Simple Ways to Live a Happy Life



“Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.”
Aristotle said this more than 2,000 years ago. And it still holds true today. What is the true purpose of life, if not to live a happy life until we die?
Happiness is one of the most sought-after goals in life, yet for many it seems to be elusive. It’s easy to delude ourselves into thinking, “When I just have that nice house and new car, then I can be happy.” But in reality, happiness is available to all of us, right now. A big house or a new car won’t actually make you happier; it’s the simple joys in life that bring true happiness. Read on to learn 15 simple ways that you can start living a happier life today.
1. Do What You Love
If your passion is playing soccer, writing poems, or teaching children how to swim, make time to do it. You’ll find that when you’re doing what you love, you’re filled with joy. How much better does that sound than forcing                                                         yourself do something you don’t like?
2. Help Others
Sometimes after we’ve achieved our own personal goals, we still feel empty inside because we haven’t made a meaningful contribution to someone else’s life. When we volunteer or help others, it feels good to just be of service to someone else. The impact we make feels fulfilling and is a big potential source for our own happiness.
3. Be Thankful
When you think of all the things that you have to be grateful for, you realize how blessed you already are. Without even realizing it, we take our basic necessities for granted — a roof over your head and plenty of food to eat. By appreciating the things that you already have, you’ll begin to feel happier in your life.
4. Share With Others
When we share our thoughts, our time, and our abilities with others we feel better for it. A life lived without sharing can become lonely. When you share with others, they’ll feel great towards you and help you to feel more joy in your own life.
5. Smile More
Practice smiling more and see how it affects you internally, as well as those around you. You can always afford to give a smile.  Smiling can make you happier — even if you have to force it, you’ll still feel better.

6. Exercise
When was the last time you went to the gym or worked out? Exercise reduces stress and releases endorphins, also known as a “runner’s high.” Playing sports is a fun way to exercise as well, whether it’s kicking around a soccer ball or shooting hoops.
7. Seek Out a Life Coach
A life coach will help you to evaluate your life and why you’re not feeling happy in it. Maybe you’re holding limiting beliefs or you have an emotional block without realizing it. By speaking to a life coach, you can uncover why you’re actually unhappy and what you can do to feel better.
8. Find Ways to Manage Stress
Don’t let stress rob you of your birthright to be happy. You deserve to be happy, and it wouldn’t be right to let stress get in the way.  Practices such as meditation can help you to manage stress better and feel great.

9. Eat Healthy
It’s much more challenging to feel truly happy when you’re sick. But when you eat right, you feel better both physically and mentally. And you’ll avoid that guilty feeling that you just pigged out on junk food.

10. Spend Time With Your Loved Ones
There’s no replacement for spending quality time with your loved ones. We’re social beings, even if you’re an introvert or a loner. People love spending time with their friends and family for good conversation, bonding, and some laughs. Life’s too short to         live it completely alone.
11. Dump Negative Thinking
You already know that negative thinking will bring you down. So how do you stop it? Become more aware of it and try replacing your negative thoughts with some positive ones. Spend less time with negative people and more time with positive people.
12. Give More Gifts
You don’t have to give expensive gifts; sometimes a poem, a quick note, or a thoughtful email will brighten someone else’s day, and yours. Share what you can give to all the wonderful people in your life.
13. Forgive and Forget
Holding a grudge will harm you more than the person you’re holding it against. Ask yourself, “What would it take for me to let go of the past?” and notice how you feel when you let go of your anger for a few seconds. Focus instead on a bright future and you’ll feel better for it.
14. Take a Walk in Nature
Spending time out in nature can be very refreshing and renewing, especially when you’re living in an artificial, manmade world. Taking a walk in your local woods or park and getting some fresh air can allow you to appreciate the beauty of the natural world.
15. Be Yourself
As Steve Jobs said, “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” Accept who you are, just be yourself, and you’ll feel a world of difference.
Want to be happier?  A personal development coach is a professional who helps you to be happier, reach your goals, and find your true purpose in life.  See how a simple shift in your thinking and attitude towards life can make you feel a whole lot happier.






Hello World....

This is my first blog post. Hello World...

We go about our daily lives primarily down to routine, rather than following our dreams. This blog is about re-examining and re-programming our motivations so that we can live the lives we want to live, do what makes us happy and importantly be happy.

I hope you find the content of this blog makes your life better and happier

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