ADD to Life

STRIKE ONE!

I sit here writing this entry at my son Andrew's baseball game. We only have one game tonight - piece of cake! I trust that my two younger sons are at home doing their homework. When I call, they assure me this is the case but I can't be certain.

We have three boys so most evenings are spent running around town, from field to field, to catch a couple of innings and cheer all my boys on. Andrew is on the Cardinals, Adam is on the Braves and Alex is on the Marlins. So, this means three dirty uniforms to wash at least two times per week. Grass stains don't come out of white baseball pants, do they?

Scheduling dinner time is tough. I either pack some sandwiches and fruit or we eat much too late. The kids generally eat a mini-meal before practice, and then eat again when they get home, in between they all have to shower and do homework. I've been resisting the urge to put the local pizza parlor on speed dial...but it's been tough! Help! I need some advice! Tell me:

• What has worked for your family?
• What have you tried that has failed?
• What strategies have you put into place regarding busy dinner times?
• How do support your children in completing their homework and getting a good night's sleep?
• What takes grass stains out of white baseball pants?

Please, I want to hear what you have to say! If you don't have advice, tell me a heartwarming story or a funny anecdote. Laughter will help me through the next few weeks! Play-offs are starting next week and before we know it we'll be into...summer-ball!...STRIKE TWO!

Sounds Good

What many people don't know about me is that I majored in Music *&% years ago, straight out of high school. Singing and performing have always been something that I enjoy. A few years ago, I was a member of a competing chorus and helped to coach this chorus; bringing us to a second place win for the Northeast region.

My love of music and sound has grown over the past few years. I'm a Reiki Master (something else you may not know) and have been studying Music Therapy and Sound Healing. Recently, scientific studies are confirming what many indigenous cultures around the world have known. The ancient Egyptians, Africans and Native Americans, among others have long recognized the power and healing properties of sound.

Music can:

• relax us,
• ease anxiety,
• enhance memory,
• improve concentration,
• alleviate depression
• and help to manage pain.

Dr. Andrew Weil, among others is researching and teaching about the healing power of sound. He teaches us about the process of entrainment, "whereby various bodily processes - respiration, heart rate, and brain waves - synchronize with the frequencies of what we hear." For example, when you walk along the shore you relax, as your body entrains to the sounds of the waves crashing along the beach, the sounds of the gulls in the distance, and the breeze blowing by your face.

Last week I spoke about the visual benefit of being in nature. This week's blog is giving you a new reason to get outside. Hearing the songs of the Robin, the sound the wind makes as it rustles the leaves are taking you from the brain wave state of Beta (13-20Hz -  often associated with anxiety or panic) to Alfa (8-12 Hz - daydreaming mind) and even to Theta (4-7 Hz - dream state or deep meditation state).

Unfortunately, the sounds of modern life may have a negative effect on us. The constant "hum" of florescent lighting and the "whirr" of air conditioning in many work place environments and schools allow our brain waves, respiration and heartbeat to entrain to unhealthy frequencies.

So, what can we do to bring our body's rhythms more into balance?

1. Make a commitment to get outside in the middle of your day - either at lunch, break-time or both.
2. Listen to relaxing music. I highly recommend the music of Dr. Jeffery Thompson. He has several CD's that enhance creativity and relaxation. When working on you computer or studying, plug in and listen.
3. Find a place in your community where you can walk - every day -  in nature.

By following my three recommendations you will find yourself:

• more relaxed
• peaceful
• your memory will improve
• you'll experience better concentration
• and be happy!

So, get out there! Look at the greenery and listen to the song of nature.

Your Wednesday Contributing Author,

Diane Ladd