Masters of Health Magazine December 2020 | Page 79

David's Harp and Psalms for Peace and Calm

Psalm 27 on a Brand New Jolie Harp

Endorphins

Breuner reminds us, "Endorphins are notoriously linked with exercise -- it's the phenomenon that explains the runner's high or post-workout endorphin "rush." They function as "natural painkillers" that help minimize pain and maximize pleasure. This chemical experience can explain why a runner may be able to push through a race with an injury that they don't notice until it's over. Laughter is another way to boost endorphins naturally -- so is eating (sugar-free) dark chocolate, watching your favorite drama, working out, and meditating."

To focus on the meditation aspect of helping to boost endorphins: Meditation music in the background is a wonderful way to enter into a meditative state. I have many people write to me and tell me that the music is very helpful to them during meditation. (Music available at www.calmingharp.com)

To enhance the benefit of these happy hormones, find a good place to meditate or listen to my harp music where you are exposed to natural sunlight (without sunglasses or sunscreen) on your skin. Natural sunlight has been shown to stimulate the brain to produce serotonin. In addition to lifting ones mood this also helps to balance melatonin for a better night’s sleep.

https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/benefits-sunlight

In the August 2017 issue of Masters of Health magazine Lady Carla Davis revealed the importance of natural sunlight for the production of Vitamin D (actually a hormone) and its interplay with the production and balance of other hormones. In fact, all our hormones, including our happy hormones, perform harmoniously in unison.

https://nourishingbasics.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Light-a-Vital-Nutrient.pdf

Another aspect I have noticed is that I frequently receive notes and comments from people who experience high levels of pain such as with cancer, and they tell me that their pain thresholds are greatly benefitted when they use my harp music playing in the background. I believe that this is a result of endorphin release during the music. Some of the studies that I have quoted from in my previous articles seem to support this mechanism.

Music can be a great contributor in helping us produce these "happiness hormones." In many areas from listening to music, learning how to play an instrument, and performing music for your own and others' enjoyment; each has wonderful benefits in helping us deal with the negatives of our daily lives and assist in bringing us more happiness and contentment. Maybe that is why we find music so intertwined in all cultures throughout the history of our world.

Music = Happiness!