I thought this chapter’s theme provided a simple and concise message – adaptation to a more relaxing environment is a means to finding our natural rhythm. Dr. Lipman makes the point that most of us live on the extremes of social extroversion or self-imposed work related isolation and have difficulty fine-tuning our work-life balance to find inter-personal harmony. Three beats resonated very well with my experience and past research. They include the power of friendships, the power of the sun and the power of music in creating a healthy and preventive care environment.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School recently published an article in the British Medical Journal on the health and happiness benefits of social networks including three degrees of friendship. Nicholas Christakis studied a social network from the Framingham Heart Study (over 20 years) and discovered that a person’s happiness was not only dependent on the happiness of an immediate friend but also on the happiness of the friend’s friend and their friend’s friend’s friend. When you are better connected to happy people, friends, and family your chances of being happy and healthy increase significantly. The article was featured as the cover story for the January 2009 issue of New Scientist and read: “Detox your life – How friends can transform you.”
In Daily Beat 18 we are told that humans “evolved in and under the sun and we are genetically engineered to get sun.” Sunshine is another element that helps regulate our circadian rhythms, metabolism and hormone functions. It is estimated that 35 million Americans may suffer mood disorders during the winter months – also called seasonal affective disorder (SAD) – and a contributing factor is the lack of sunlight during the winter, which is especially prevalent in northern states. Over 75 percent of those affected by SAD are women, and the majority of these individuals are over the age of 30. Some of the symptoms include:
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Increased sleep
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Increased appetite with carbohydrate craving
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Marked increase in weight
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Irritability
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Interpersonal difficulties (especially rejection sensitivity)
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Leaden paralysis (heavy, leaden feelings in arms or legs)
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality practice guidelines recommend light therapy as an effective treatment option for seasonal depression.
Rounding out the relaxation exercises in this chapter was Daily Beat 21 that discussed the use of music by many cultures to help healing and promote well-being. In my own brief research, I was surprised to discover that there is actually an organization that promotes the science of music as medicine and a healing art: the International Society for Music in Medicine. Last year at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association, doctors from University of Maryland School of Medicine showed that “listening to your favorite music may be good for your cardiovascular system.” Dr. Miller presented his research that demonstrated improved blood flow caused by the release of endorphins. Just 30 minutes of enjoyable music each day can lower your systolic blood pressure, relieve stress, and decrease pain. I agree with Dr. Lipman that everyone can use music daily as a health and wellness strategy.
I hope you enjoy Week 3 – Adapt as much as I did and I look forward to Week 4 – Release.
Dr. Tony Linares
