Being mindful of the impact of our “sound environment” is important to our health.  In caregiving settings, we also control the sound environment for those for whom we are providing care.

Sound affects us on a cellular level at all times.  Silent vibrations also affect us, but this blog will deal primarily with sound and music, with references to the other sources of vibration.  Sound waves are constantly interacting with our bodies and minds.  Often, it is as though sounds are competing for our attention, and without even knowing, this is producing a stressful effect emotionally, mentally and physiologically.

As we know, people have varying degrees of sensitivity to sound frequencies.  There is an engagement with these frequencies.  Our brains and psyches are constantly filtering the information, eg the furnace comes on and creates its sounds, and we peacefully sleep through it.  The alarm on the clock awakens us.  We enter the kitchen, and the refrigerator hums its greeting.  If we begin the day with deep breathing to oxygenate our cells, and exhale with a simple, calming vocalized humming or “Ahhh”, we can welcome the day feeling relaxed and calm.

The meanings of words have their own frequencies, and these words vibrating throughout body produce a nurturing response, such as a mother humming or singing to her baby.  So, we exhale “Peace”,  “Love”, “Joy” to create our own internal, cleansing shower.  Our brain, in turn, like switching on the lights, begins the bio/electrical/chemical response to the sounds and frequencies of those words.  Try “I am peace—I am love—I am joy.”

The brain is like a computer, which will give the reports based on the information we put in.  Thus, our day is begun with peace, love and joy.  In the education we provide to the Bessie’s Hope youth and adult volunteers, we explain that the brain can be tricked.  It doesn’t know the difference between a happening right now and the memory of the happening.  It gets busy dispersing the chemicals, as per above.  When our volunteers help create a happy memory for the elders we serve in nursing homes and assisted living communities, the bodies and minds are showered with the same “feel good” chemicals as when the “real” event happened, eg dancing 60 years ago with their first love.

Likewise, the brain can be programmed to begin our day with the good vibrations we sing or speak.  Our volunteers sing “The Wonderful Song” with the elders, and we suggest to the elders that they begin their day by singing, “I am wonderful, and this is a wonderful day.”

This has been a brief introduction of using our own voices for “sounding”, or “toning”, which was coined by Laurel Elizabeth Keyes in the 1960s.   These are sounds we are creating ourselves with our own intentions to nurture ourselves.  What if we use this in our care providing for elders in our homes, or their homes, or in elder care communities in which we work?  We enter the bedroom or the workplace with a smile.  Remember, the brain is putting out what we put in.  So, our smile comes out of our body in a vibration that the elder will feel as “I am happy to be here with you.”

Also, we are quietly, gently humming or singing a positive, slow to moderate tempo song.  Then, it will be from this smiling, “good vibrations” place that we say “Good morning, ___.  I hope you slept well last night.  Today is going to be a good day.” We have been given the sacred honor of caring for elders, those wonderful beings who have reached the time of ultimate respect.  They have so much to teach all younger generations.

What are some of their favorite songs you could sing with them? Remember what this will do for them—the nurturing vibrations within their bodies.  By the way, it doesn’t matter how you think you sing.  If it’s done on purpose from the heart with the intention to be of service—your voice will be received as though it came from an angel.

For those of you entering the elder care community but not providing the hands-on care, you are still contributing to the vibrational environment.  Before you enter, sing or speak, “I am peace, I am love, I am joy.  I am vibrating at these frequencies.”  Then, as you enter know that you have the honor to share the sacred space with elders.

While focusing on elder care, this also applies to anyone of any age for whom we have been called to serve.  We smile and make a positive difference in the lives of all with our good vibrations.

Next blog will address the use of recorded music.

Linda Holloway, Board Certified Music Therapist

Why am I not remembering, thinking as clearly or tired in the middle of the day?

Water is essential for the efficient functioning of your brain!  Dehydration equals Brain Shrinkage!

Even a 2% drop in body water can trigger short-term memory loss, trouble doing basic math and difficulties focusing.

Your brain is comprised of 75% water!!

Did you know that 75% to 90% of seniors are in the ER for Dehydration!!!  Remember from my last article that seniors lose their thirst sensation to let them know they need water!

Drinking adequate water is just as important for the health of the brain as it is for the health of our bodies.  Your brain needs plenty of glucose, oxygen, water and other essential nutrients to function well.  If your brain doesn’t get enough of water, you might feel dizzy, fatigued and get a headache, and you’ll start to lose your ability to concentrate.  Studies have shown that a glass of water every hour while studying prevents fatigue and headaches.

Because your brain is 75% water, ample hydration is an absolute must.  When the water in your brain decreases, stress hormones are released.  These hormones block glucose, which is the primary fuel of the brain, from entering brain cells.  This in turn results in memory problems.

It is important to understand that even a minor amount of dehydration can raise stress hormones in the brain and damage your brain over time.

Excerpts from “Brain Tune Up” By Arnold Bresky, M.D.

Iva Lou Bailey, Founding Trainer of Dr. Bresky’s 9 Point Brain Tune Up System.

Do you think you are hungry??  Why the hunger pains and so much fat?  How would you like to stop your hunger pains and release the fat?

37% of Americans have such a weak thirst mechanism that they mistake it for hunger!

Nearly 100% of dieters had hunger pangs satisfied by drinking a glass of water.  Drinking 1 glass of water before a meal will help digestion.

Mild dehydration can slow down your metabolism by 3%.  Imagine what chronic dehydration does.  75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated.

NOW ABOUT THAT FAT!

Our Blood is made up of 83% water.  This is important because blood transports nutrients throughout our bodies and moves waste products to be excreted.  So without adequate water, our bodies not only starve, but are poisoned with the waste products that cannot be expelled.

Our blood carries waste products to our kidneys, after which are expelled from the body through our urine.  If the body senses there isn’t enough water available, however, it reacts by retaining what water it has already.  What happens next is that this stored water gets contaminated with waste.  Why?  Because the Kidneys have no way to release the toxins.

When this occurs, the job of clearing waste shifts to the liver, which is already working hard to clean out our blood.  When it takes on some of the work of the kidney, the liver can’t work as efficiently.  And guess what one of the liver’s most important jobs is?  BURNING FAT!  So when it is overloaded the stored fat can’t be burned and the body will hold onto what water it has.  Thus, WEIGHT GAIN OCCURS.

Iva Lou Bailey
Owner/President
Argus Home Health Care
ivalou@argusofcolo.com