Sing your way to a Healthier Christmas Season

 ...Go Caroling!
Studies show that Christmas caroling can reduce stress.  
Singers use a diaphragm breathing technique.  
This releases nitric oxide into the circulatory system and brain, relaxing the arteries, capillaries, respiratory system and mind.
                                                                   (Dr. Oz's 12 days of Christmas - Day one )
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/holiday-slideshow-dr-ozs-12-days-christmas


If you can't find a bunch of people to go Caroling with.... just "carol" in your home, car.  Really!  


So....Dr Oz has his tips for reducing stress during the holiday's and I have mine twist on it. (really twisted)


Here it is... pure and simple and ALWAYS accessible.


When you feeling your muscles tighten, your face tense and "not smiling"... ready to explode at the next person who tic's you off.... DO THIS ... Start Singing Out loud... the Louder the Better!

Great Part of the Movie:  Mamma Mia!
Meryl Streep was very stressed and her friends started Singing "Dancing Queen"
She joined in and "turned it around"
Taking her stress and relieving it with SONG

Sing a Christmas Carol like "Joy to the WORLD"  
  You can even make up some of the words....  an example:

"Joy to the world... 

I'm going to scream ... 

and make myself exclaim... 

I will not let this get to me,  I will be strong in spite of it  

and find some peace and joy... 

and find some peace and joy... 

and find and find some peace and joy!" 

That's just off the top of my head.  I'm sure you can do better. 
If you care who is listening to you... think about the laughter and joy you'll give those who hear you singing loud and silly.  


But seriously,  think of stress we encounter as a "gas".  We breath it in.  
It becomes toxic in our body and inflames every cell in our body.  The gas keeps expanding causing us to become more and more uncomfortable and irritable.

People need to "let it out", so it doesn't build up and cause health problems

  especially During the Holiday season:

             Some find negative ways to let it out:  Angry outburst 

                      (yikes, this happens a lot in the  shopping center parking lots, 

                        check out counters!)

             Some find positive ways to let it out:  Competitive Sports,

                       Exercise, hobbies, "singing", praying, meditating, acts of kindness

Some people try to soothe the uncomfortable and irritable feelings by Eating! Some with poor lifestyle choices like: smoking, drinking, gambling.

Some people avoid dealing with it and it then becomes toxic in the body and produces illness (FLU), ulcers,  IBS, Headaches, Backaches, insomnia  (physical aliments).

Matthew 11:28-30    

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 

and I will give you rest. 

²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, 

for I am gentle and humble in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls. 

³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Have a Healthy Holiday Season !  and remember

He is the reason for this season

Re-Gift yourself this Christmas to your Creator and Savior

Ciao and Salute!  To Your Health and Wellness


ps
The added benefit of singing and or humming a tune is this assist with controlling your breathing. Calms your Body!
Helps your mind re-focus  and engages your spirit.  


Another great reason why "mom's" do best to sing when holding their little baby.  


As Mom's sing, the baby senses the calming affect of controlled breathing, as well as the melody and rhythm.
  
While Mom is singing, her body becomes more relaxed.  The Baby can sense this.  Even when Breast feeding, a Mom should gently hum or sing a peaceful song.  It will assist with the "let down" and the overall experience of Mom and Baby.


There it is again:  Body, Mind and Spirit in Balance when singing!