Mind over matter

We keep being told to let our minds rule our bodies; that we should not let small aches and pain bother us. This is called the mind over matter concept and the theory goes that what we feel physically can be controlled mentally.
But what is the mind? I find that concept very interesting. Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity E= (MC)2, is an equation with profound implications. The equation states that matter and energy is inter convertible. Energy itself can neither be created nor be destroyed. Going from science to spirituality, we learn that beings are actually light energy that vibrates at such a slow pace that they seem solid. We also learn that the energy that we experience in daily life is through energy.
The things we often think of ultimately manifest themselves in our bodies. It is no wonder then that we recreate our illnesses again and again, because our thought processes and the behaviors and actions emanating from those thought processes remain the same day in and day out. No wonders lifestyle disorders are so difficult to treat, because we are struck in a rigid pattern of habits that are hard to break. Freedom from disease first needs a change in old thinking patterns. That leads to change in actions which, if repeated over time, become habits. And good habits create good health.
So how can we change our thought processes? There are several ways to improve thinking patterns. One is to chant or listen to Om or similar sounds or listen to music of our choice. Another way is to begin a healthy practice, such as exercising or walking, and try and sustain it. Pranayam is a practical way to balance nervous energy. Positive colors, fresh green plants, melodious music….all these add to the De-stress process. The mind is the collection of thought energies, so it has a very deep, long lasting effect on health.

Weather the storm

Weather often affects our moods. The monsoon is upon us, and when the sun is out, many people tend to feel happier and energetic. When it is dark and gloomy, many of us feel lethargic and less sociable. These shifts in mood generally do not affect our ability to cope with daily life. Some people are vulnerable to a type of depression that follows a seasonal pattern. This is called ‘Seasonal Affective Disorder’, or SAD.
If you suffer from SAD, you may
• Feel grumpy, moody, or anxious
• Lose interest in your usual activities
• Eat more and crave carbohydrates, such as bread and pasta.
• Gain weight
• Feel lethargic
• Have body aches and pains
• Suffer memory loss
• Be unable to make decisions
• Have problems concentrating
Why SAD? There is scientific reason for this. Insufficient exposure to sunlight has been associated with low levels of the happy hormone, serotonin and high level of melatonin.
Melatonin, a sleep related hormone secreted by the pineal gland in the brain, which may cause symptoms of depression, is produced at increased levels in the dark. Getting screened and evaluated is a sensible way to take care of your health and ensure that you can enjoy the pleasure of the season. Symptoms of the SAD can be confused with other medical conditions, such as hypothyroidism or viral infections, so a proper evaluation by a medical professional is crucial.
Be happy. Light up the blues.

Flare up the magic...

Bollywood has always been a big trendsetter of fashion and one can easily go back to our movies, to actresses like Meena kumari and Mumtaz or even Rekha in Umrao Jaan and Tabu in Maqbool who carried off the garara with such elan.A sharara looks similar to a lehenga in many ways.Shararas are wide-leg pants. Simply put, a sharara is loose from the crotch and flares out downward but has no joint at the knee. The sharara is usually cut in lots of vertical panels but has no horizontal cuts. And it is worn with choli whose length can vary.
A garara is again a pant fitted from the waist to the knees where ten to twelve panels are added which flare out into a skirt. The sharara and garara can be given a contemporary touch by changing the shape and style of the choli.They work for all body shapes too. Instead of the long choli, you can go for an off- shoulder blouse in tissue with a heavy dupatta. You can match your sharara with a long velvet coat with heavy work and the dupatta can be left plain or with simple embroidery. A short velvet jacket is another option. The cholis can either have full sleeves or short sleeves and can also have embroidery.


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Music’s healing touch

Once thought to be a device merely to keep patients in good spirits, music therapy is today exploring new frontiers and coming into its own as a cure. Psychiatrists says that music has a direct impact on the mood and physical well being. In the West, it is widely being used in old-age homes, asylums and maternity wards.

Music has healing powers and a mood stability function. It works wonderfully on patients who have psychosomatic problems or those suffering from mental tension. Laboratory studies suggest that music also has the power to accelerate metabolism, increase or decrease muscular energy and regulate respiration. It also produces a positive effect on blood pressure and influences internal secretions. Psychiatric patients who are given music therapy show remarkable behavioral changes. Certain kind of background music can increase the quality of a patient’s verbal interaction. In fact ,music with smooth rhythm has a healing effect on the disturbed motor responses of schizophrenic patients It stimulates responses and encourages expression of thoughts and feelings. The techniques of music therapy are being applied in the treatment of autism,schizophrenia,retardation and behavioral as well as other psychiatric disorder in children,adolescents,adults and geriatric patients. Music is also used to rehabilitate patients with impaired vision, hearing and speech defects, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and orthopedic disorder.

Music, whether western or Indian classical, can contribute a great deal to medical science in relieving stress of the mind and body. The concept is not just being used at therapeutic centers but is being utilized at various public places like super markets, hotels, air-planes and even at some offices. Experiments are underway at interfacing musical instruments with medical programmes.Here rhythm is interlinked to a patient’s pulse and synchronized with breathing. The volume is gradually reduced and body metabolism comes down.