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Archive for the ‘Relaxing Music’ Category

What is acute insomnia? How to diagnose and treat your short-term sleeping troubles – Insider – INSIDER

Posted: June 8, 2020 at 4:42 pm


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Anyone who has laid awake in bed staring at the clock, mentally calculating how many hours of sleep they will get if they fall asleep right now, knows the struggle of insomnia.

The sleep disorder is incredibly common, with acute cases affecting as many as 25% of Americans a year, according to a study from the University of Pennsylvania.

Insomnia can manifest in different ways for different people. Some have trouble falling asleep, others have trouble staying asleep, and some have difficulty with both.

However, when those sleep issues start to have a negative impact on your daily life, that's when it goes from just a few days of bad sleep to a concerning case of insomnia.

Insomnia can last for days, weeks, or even years. Generally, it is considered acute insomnia when it lasts for less than a month at one time, and chronic insomnia when it continues for longer, usually three months at one time.

The symptoms of insomnia, whether acute or chronic, are similar. They include:

The severity of the symptoms generally worsens the longer insomnia persists.

Ashley Moore, a licensed clinical professional counselor and lecturer at University of New England, says that for an acute case of insomnia, "the level of physiological and cognitive symptoms we are going to see are probably not going to be as severe as someone who has been experiencing insomnia for months."

Moore says many of her clients experience acute insomnia, typically during a time of stress or major change. The causes are usually psychological in nature, such as:

Having anxiety about insomnia is a major concern because it can prolong the insomnia, or even worsen it.

Imagine someone has trouble sleeping for a few nights. "Now every night [they are] going to bed they are fearful that they're not going to be able to sleep," Moore says. "So, their anxiety level is up and now their anxiety is actually making it harder to sleep."

While acute insomnia can turn into chronic insomnia, it usually won't about 75% of those with acute insomnia will recover, meaning it takes them fewer than 15 minutes to fall asleep, or who spend fewer than 15 minutes awake during the night at least five times a week.

Most of the time, insomnia resolves itself when the stressor triggering it is resolved or at least addressed. For instance, if your insomnia is triggered by anxiety over starting a new job, it will likely go away once you have settled into work.

"It probably is going to resolve itself for most individuals," Moore says. "But there always is an individual's own tendencies and coping strategies and baseline anxiety that is going to play into that."

Before you panic that you will never get another good night's sleep, Moore suggests trying to pinpoint what is triggering your insomnia and address it, if possible.

At the same time, improving your sleep habits, referred to as sleep hygiene, can help. This includes avoiding caffeine, alcohol and nicotine before bed, getting regular exercise, and skipping long daytime naps. Moore says most of the time, lifestyle changes will be the most beneficial.

Here are some more lifestyle tips to get better sleep:

This might seem obvious, but it's critical: make sure your room is quiet and dark. Light can disrupt your circadian rhythm, delaying the release of melatonin, a hormone that helps you sleep.

People who live in areas with bright street lights are more likely to report trouble sleeping, according to a 2016 study. Especially for light sleepers, noise can disrupt sleep. Things like white noise machines or ear plugs can help with that, and black out curtains can block outside light.

The second part of creating a sleep-friendly room may be harder for most of us. You should only use your bedroom for two things: sleep and sex. The idea is to condition your mind and body so that being in your bed triggers sleepiness.

This is called stimulus control, and it's been used as treatment for insomnia since the 1970s, according to a review published in 2012. That means no watching TV, eating, working or even texting from bed.

Speaking of TV and texting, it's also a good idea to limit screen time before bed. The blue light that comes from electronics is particularly good at suppressing melatonin, the hormone that helps make you sleepy.

Harvard researchers found it suppresses melatonin twice as long compared to green light. Cell phones and computers often have "night mode" features that reduce the amount of blue light your screen emits. Blue light blocking glasseshave also become popular in recent years, although the science is split on how much they really help.

Light issues aside, there is another problem with watching TV or scrolling through social media before bed. It is mentally stimulating.

"People are often talking about experiences or fears or grief on social media. We're being exposed to this psychologically stimulating content," Moore says. "It's things that will peak our anxiety a little bit even those of us who don't tend toward a trace level of anxiety."

Turn off the TV and put down your phone an hour or two before bed, and try doing something you enjoy that is also relaxing, whether it is reading a book, crocheting, listening to music or doing gentle yoga.

Don't lay in bed for hours trying to sleep. It's only going to make it harder. For one thing, you don't want to condition your mind to associate your bed with lying awake.

This goes back to the concept of stimulus control. Lying awake in bed trains your brain to associate bed with wakefulness rather than sleep. It's also likely that the longer you lay in bed, the more anxious you will get about not being able to sleep.

"We tell ourselves things like, 'Oh my gosh, I'm going to have a hard time falling asleep again' and 'Oh my goodness, I'm so tired and I have to work in the morning,'" Moore says. "Those types of stories come into our brain and can increase our anxiety and actually make it harder to fall asleep."

Try going to bed at your normal time, but if you are still awake after 20 to 30 minutes, get out of bed or read a book (just stay away from screens). Once you feel tired enough to fall asleep, try getting back in bed. Moore says this applies even to people who wake up in the middle of the night.

Finally, experts suggest keeping a regular schedule. Again, it has to do with how our bodies become conditioned to our routines.

"That's the last thing people want to hearwhen I tell them if they get up at 7 o'clock in the morning on the weekdays they should get up at 7 o'clock in the morning on the weekend, too," Moore says.

But, it is important. It helps condition our bodies and can lead to better, longer sleep. For example, a study published in BMC Public Health looked at 160 university students. Researchers found that the more irregularity in a person's bedtime schedule, the less sleep they got a night. The study also suggested the quality of sleep decreased with irregular bedtime schedules.

In a similar study published in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital found students with irregular sleep schedules had delayed release of melatonin and even had lower grade point averages.

Not keeping a regular sleep schedule can also disrupt your circadian rhythm, or your body's internal 24-hour clock. If you have ever had to switch your sleep schedule for shift work or traveled to a different time zone, you've likely experienced this.

If your insomnia is lasting more than a few weeks, and creeping into chronic insomnia territory, it may be time to reach out to your doctor or therapist.

This is especially true if the stressor that triggered your insomnia has resolved but you are still having trouble sleeping.

While sleep aids both over-the-counter and prescription may be able to help, trying to improve sleep hygiene through lifestyle changes should come first.

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What is acute insomnia? How to diagnose and treat your short-term sleeping troubles - Insider - INSIDER

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June 8th, 2020 at 4:42 pm

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12 Easy Ways To Calm Your Anxiety During The Pandemic – Longevity LIVE

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In a perfect world, our anxiety would only help to warn us in the face of danger, saving us from risk. However, more often than not, our anxiety only serves to cripple us and jeopardize our health. With the fear and worry plaguing us during these uncertain times, its clear that our levels of anxiety are more than likely to skyrocket in the coming weeks and months.

With the implementation of plans to reduce the spread of the coronavirus and prevent future contractions, its safe to assume that many of us will spend the next few weeks in a form of self-isolation in the comfort of our own homes. Now while this is meant for our own good, were all plagued by fears when it comes to the coronavirus, and those fears are likely to be heightened as we confine ourselves to our homes as we may begin to feel helpless and out of control.

Now while you shouldnt feel ashamed about your anxiety, in fact, its better to acknowledge it, it should be noted that you can place your health at risk if your anxiety reaches a debilitating level. So, if youre planning on spending the next few weeks in isolation but are worried about the impact on your mental health, below are tips that will not only help to ease your anxiety but may even help provide you with a new perspective on things.

Youd be surprised how your favorite song can help you alleviate some cabin-fever induced anxiety.

According to a study published in the journal PLOS ONE, music listening induces stress-relief, having a very calming effect on your body and mind.

If your favorite songs are a little too fast-paced for you, you can try listening to classical, Celtic, Native American and Indian music as they have been found to be the most calming (1).

There are different forms of deep breathing exercises, but the most notable is diaphragmatic breathing.

This form of breathing involves pushing the stomach out while inhaling.

According to a study published in the Frontiers in Psychology journal, diaphragmatic breathing helped to relax the body to the point where cortisol (the stress hormone) levels had lowered.

Another breathing exercise you can try is the four square breathing technique. Simply breathe in slowly to a count of four, then hold your breath for a count of four. Afterward, exhale slowly through pursed lips to a count of four. Following this, you should then rest for a count of four (without taking any breaths), before taking two normal breaths. Once done, start from the beginning.

It would be advisable to do this throughout the day, especially if you find yourself spending too much time on social media or working from home becomes too stressful. Speaking of which, that brings us to our next point.

The World Health Organisation declared the coronavirus a pandemic, so of course, its important that you stay abreast with all the latest news. However, theres a difference between staying informed, and obsessing over fact and tidbit that makes its way through social media. In fact, the latter will only serve to misinform you and increase your anxiety.

In fact, a study published in the journal Science Advances found that people can become more emotionally responsive to news reports of natural disasters or terrorist events, which then increases their anxiety and concerns about future occurrences.

Now were in no way suggesting that you should stick your head in the sand, as its important to know whats going on in the world. However, you should try not to get sucked into the sensationalized news that makes its way through your timeline. Rather, once or twice a day, get your information and updates from reputable websites like the CDCor the WHO.

Also, if you feel that the news you receive adds to your anxiety, practice breathing exercises, read a book or play some relaxing music.

If you have a stick of gum lying around the house, or in your bag, you may want to chew on it as you check the news for the latest updates surrounding the coronavirus. This is because chewing gum has been found to reduce stress.

In fact, research published in the Journal of Clinical and Translational Research found that chewing gum not only improved mood, but also reduced anxiety and even symptoms of depression.

The worlds leading medical authority has declared a global pandemic and various countries have implemented shutdowns in all spheres of life. Suffice to say, you most likely have a lot of feelings about this so perhaps you should write them down?

We all experience negative thoughts and feelings now and then but these thoughts can soon become toxic, especially if we continue to mull over them. However, recording these thoughts can help us to better process them. In fact, a study published in the Acta bio-medica: Atenei Parmensis journal found that writing helped to reduce both physical and psychological symptoms.

So, put aside some time before bed every day and grab a journal and write out your thoughts. In fact, dont just write about your fears and concerns. Go further by jotting down what youre grateful for, as practicing gratitude can help to ease some of your anxiety.

Yoga boasts a number of health benefits for individuals who practice it, and one of them includes inducing a calming effect.

According to a study published in the International Journal of Yoga, practicing yoga can help to reduce stress, lower anxiety and even improve depression symptoms.

Now chances are all yoga classes in your neighborhood have been cancelled but there are a number of freely available yoga videos online, as well as apps that will help you find your center and relieve your stress and anxiety.

In addition to yoga, practicing meditation can also help to alleviate any anxiety and stressed out emotions.

Meditation appssuch asHeadspace,Insight Timer,and Calm can help you combat the anxiety-inducing effects of negative thinking, and provide you with a more positive outlook on the current situation.

Now with you working from home, your sleep routine may be going through some changes but its important that you stick to your regular sleep routine. Anxiety can affect your sleep schedule so its important that you do your best to keep your sleep routine as consistent as possible.

Not doing so will definitely amplify your anxiety levels and sleep deprivation and high anxiety levels are the worst things you could do to your health.

Do your best to get at least 7 hours of sleep as this will help increase your ability to deal with stress and anxiety during the day.

As youre spending more time at home. your diet may be taking a hit as you begin reaching for caffeine, sugar and processed snacks. That said, its important that these foods may boost your anxiety.

So, instead of reaching for the sugary stuff, and drinking more glasses of wine than usual, rather consume a healthy, green-rich diet as this will help you keep focused throughout the day and keep your mood at an even level.

Exercise is the best thing you can do to combat your stress (and it can also help to strengthen your immune system). With most gyms closed down, you may find it harder to stay fit but there are ways you can keep fit in the comfort of your own home.

In addition to at-home exercise apps, such as Sworkit, there are some great at-home workouts that will keep you fit throughout your time at home.

It may be hard to do during this time, but you should definitely be laughing more at home. This is because laughing can not only improve your immune system, but it can also relieve stress and tension in your muscles.

Try watching your favorite TV show, or calling up an old friend and having a good laugh.

Just because you may be asked to self-quarantine in the following weeks, doesnt mean that you should completely isolate yourself. Yes, you may not be able to physically interact with your friends and family, but you should be doing your best to talk with your loved ones, friends, and even colleagues.

Doing so will definitely help to ease both your fears and it will also help remind you that you are not alone and whatever the new normal becomes, we will adjust and move on.

Our immune system is the most important system in the body, especially during these times. That said, a lot of us may be adopting habits that are harming, rather than helping it. If youre guilty of these 11 habits that are harming your immune system, then you may need to stop them and stock up on some vitamin C.

Jiang, J., Rickson, D., Jiang, C. (2016). The mechanism of music for reducing psychological stress: Music preference as a mediator, The Arts in Psychotherapy, Volume 48, Pages 62-68,

ISSN 0197-4556, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2016.02.002.

Ma, X., Yue, Z. Q., Gong, Z. Q., Zhang, H., Duan, N. Y., Shi, Y. T., Wei, G. X., & Li, Y. F. (2017). The Effect of Diaphragmatic Breathing on Attention, Negative Affect and Stress in Healthy Adults.Frontiers in psychology,8, 874. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00874

Smith A. P. (2016). Chewing gum and stress reduction.Journal of clinical and translational research,2(2), 5254

ThomaMV, La MarcaR, BrnnimannR, FinkelL, EhlertU, et al. (2013)The Effect of Music on the Human Stress Response. PLOS ONE 8(8): e70156.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0070156

Thompson,R., Jones, N, Holman,E, Silver R. (2019). A 3-year longitudinal study of a U.S. national sample shows that media exposure to mass violence can fuel a cycle of distress, SCIENCE ADVANCES, 17 APR 2019: EAAV3502

Tonarelli, A., Cosentino, C., Artioli, D., Borciani, S., Camurri, E., Colombo, B., DErrico, A., Lelli, L., Lodini, L., & Artioli, G. (2017). Expressive writing. A tool to help health workers. Research project on the benefits of expressive writing.Acta bio-medica : Atenei Parmensis,88(5S), 1321.

Woodyard C. (2011). Exploring the therapeutic effects of yoga and its ability to increase quality of life.International journal of yoga,4(2), 4954. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-6131.85485

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12 Easy Ways To Calm Your Anxiety During The Pandemic - Longevity LIVE

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June 8th, 2020 at 4:42 pm

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Track of the Week #106 – God Is In The TV

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Who? Carolines

What? Taxi

Why we love it? A high energy indie-rock anthem filled with attitude, strong vocals, and a hook so catching it will be stuck in your mind for weeks. Taxi showcases Carolines on top form with excellent songwriting, detailed musicianship and tons of charisma. (Lloyd Best)

FFO: The Fratellis, Arctic Monkeys

Who? Dream English Kid

What? I See Red

Where? Manchester

What they say? I See Red was written a few years ago; a product of growing up in a confusing and weird world. We really tried to capture the feeling of uncertainty and darkness in the lyrics, whilst also generating this weirdly positive energy we get from feeling so lost. The drive to make something good and express a feeling which seems prevalent amongst our generation. We revived it recently and recorded, mixed, and made the artwork ourselves, which is important to us as we feel like this has been the best way to capture our collective emotion within the song and keep it as our own.

Why we love it? Moody, dark and melodically delicious, draped in layers of smooth vocals and swirling guitars. I See Red sounds like it was pulled straight from the soundtrack of a cult classic from the silver screen. It marches forth with such confidence and by the end, we are surrounded by a storm of drums and guitars, its truly beautiful stuff. (Lloyd Best)

FFO: Daughter, Perfume Genius

Who? Cub Sport

What? I Feel Like I Am Changin

Where? Australia

What they say? I wrote this song at the end of 2019 upon arriving home after months of back-to back touring. I was so happy to be back in Brisbane and it felt like I was seeing everything through fresh eyes; all the beauty that had been there all along. Theres freedom and joy to be found in a mindset of abundance and thats really what this song feels like to me gentle and soaring freedom.

Why we love it? Beautiful, dreamlike, and tender. Soft vocals graze over the repetitive drums and pull us deeper into the serene soundscapes crafted by Cub Sport. Theres a timeless quality to this song that gets better with each listen. (Lloyd Best)

FFO: Allie X, Caroline Polachek

Who? Riun Garner

What? Fabric

Where? Vancouver

Why we love it? Theres a quality of pure honesty on show in Fabric that elevates the track beyond its indie-acoustic roots. The simplicity of the instrumentation allows us to focus on the vocal which sits beautifully over the track, highlighted with a clunky piano with an oddly beautiful tone, its the perfect track to kick back and relax to. Sit back and surround yourself with its beauty. (Lloyd Best)

FFO: Mumford & Sons, Mystery Jets, The Maccabees

Who? Pat Lok

What? No One (No One)

Where? LA

What they say? Musically, I set out to write a dancier record, shifting towards the club with classic sounds (and hardware synths) and an almost pan-Asian sonic palette. My family is from Singapore originally, so I used various bits of percussion and melodic inspiration from the broader region (Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand).

Why we love it? Sometimes its the right choice to go back to basics and present a song that follows its roots, this house number from Pat Lok is an instant classic. Dressed up in detailed production, stunning tones, and memorable melodies it doesnt do anything unexpected and flows all the better for it. (Lloyd Best)

FFO: Calvin Harris, Anoraak

Who?Ivan Dorn

What?Wasted

Where?Kiev, Ukraine

Why we Love it? Dorn is a fascinating character in himself. A massive pop star, DJ and TV personality in his native Ukraine, hes taken an unexpected but delightful leftfield turn of late, teaming up with Ninja Tunes Seven Davis Jr and experimenting with UK garage and freaky soul influences. This track is culled from his last LP OTD, its dusting off justified by a truly spectacular Hollywood-standard promo created by visual effects specialist Denys Shchukin (Fantastic Beasts, Logan, Final Fantasy XV). The perfect visual accompaniment to this hyper funk workout, we love the fireballs and explosions a lot and Dorns unconvincing purple-wigged transvestitism evermore. (Ben Willmott)

FFO:Stevie Wonder, Prince, Mark Ronson.

Who? Ailsa Tully

What? Edge

Where? Cardiff/London

What they say ? Ailsa Tully is creating an ethereal world that is rooted in folk with darker undertones. Inspired by choral music, folk, and indie her sound is haunting, tender, and powerful. Her lyrics are both honest and poetic, often exploring feminism and her experiences of being female in her writing. Ailsa has an all-female band which brings her songwriting to life, from modal harmonies and driving rhythms to tender emotive melody lines.

Why we love it? Swimming in reverb, a scruffy instrumental tangle @!$/parred back arrangements, the Edge is an affectingly personal exploration of a summers evening she spent by Kings Cross canal when she realised she was stressed about absolutely nothing and was incapable of relaxing like everyone else. Dreamy yet sharply honest, Tullys bruised vocal balancing delicate pretty melodies that are shot through with introspective heart on the sleeve quality that indicates artistic depths. (Bill Cummings)

FFO: Rozi Plain, Fenne Lily, Phoebe Bridgers

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Track of the Week #106 - God Is In The TV

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June 8th, 2020 at 4:42 pm

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COVID-19 Heroes: Bread baking as ‘therapy,’ and a way to help, in lockdown – Crain’s Detroit Business

Posted: May 24, 2020 at 7:47 am


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Lots of people have turned to baking bread as a means of passing the time during a quarantine that is entering its third month. But most aren't baking bread like Sabina Valenzuela bakes bread.

The Grosse Pointe resident began baking, mostly teaching herself, about 17 years ago while still living in Chile with her family. Valenzuela would sell her baked goods to neighbors to bring in additional income.

But now, during the COVID-19 pandemic, her baking skills are coming in handy in a new way. Valenzuela's 27-year-old son Sergio Rodriguez-Valenzuela is the co-founder and CEO of startup ToDoolie Inc.

The company previously used its platform to match homeowners with college students looking to work around the house. But in the age of COVID-19, the company instead uses the same platform to deliver Valenzuela's freshly baked bread to customers around Detroit and in the Grosse Pointe communities, as Crain's has previously reported.

Valenzuela has been baking bread for years, including as a way to provide for her family, but the transition to baking during a pandemic and for her son's evolving business "was born out of a necessity to help," she said with some translation assistance from her son.

Valenzuela said that at the onset of the pandemic she had visited the supermarket several times and found a lack of bread. With many older people in the Grosse Pointe area, she thought her baking skills could help.

"I wanted to share that feeling of having fresh bread," Valenzuela said.

The bread she bakes is now delivered using ToDoolie's platform within 30 minutes of coming out of the oven, Rodriguez-Valenzuela said.

With people turning to bread-baking during lengthy quarantines, coupled with an upside-down supply chain, shortages of flour have been rampant. The Valenzuelas say they had some trouble at first sourcing flour for their bread-baking operation, but have found that bulk stores generally have plenty of supply.

Since switching from ToDoolie's original business model, Valenzuela's breads have made their way to 157 unique clients of the company, according to her son, the company's founder. Additionally, Rodriguez-Valenzuela said that because of donations from some of those clients, about a dozen families have gotten free bread.

While Instagram posts of people trying out their first batch of sourdough have become ubiquitous during the lockdown, Valenzuela's creations go slightly beyond that. Among her favorite breads to bake are a traditional South American style called hallulla; breads with fruit, typically known as Christmas breads; and empanadas.

Valenzuela said she applauds people who are trying out bread-baking during this time and offered some tips for people just getting started with home baking.

"It's something that you do for yourself and you put energy into it," she said, adding that she often puts on relaxing music and tries to put her "heart and soul" into each concoction.

"It's almost a therapy thing," she said.

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COVID-19 Heroes: Bread baking as 'therapy,' and a way to help, in lockdown - Crain's Detroit Business

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May 24th, 2020 at 7:47 am

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Breaking News – Sit Back, Unwind and Watch Relaxing Old Footage with Joe Pera to Calm Your Worries – The Futon Critic

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[05/20/20 - 06:00 AM] Sit Back, Unwind and Watch Relaxing Old Footage with Joe Pera to Calm Your Worries An ideal program to watch before bed, comedian Joe Pera and director Marty Schousboe have collected their most subdued footage and pieced it together in the most relaxing way possible. [via press release from Adult Swim]

Sit Back, Unwind and Watch Relaxing Old Footage with Joe Pera to Calm Your Worries

Watch NOW on Adult Swim YouTube and on Adult Swim this Friday at Midnight ET/PT.

An ideal program to watch before bed, comedian Joe Pera and director Marty Schousboe have collected their most subdued footage and pieced it together in the most relaxing way possible. These clips, too long to fit in a traditional tv program, are threaded together by Pera's narration and will hopefully leave viewers feeling as calm as the fish floating around in one of the special's 2,700+ aquarium shots.

Directed by Marty Schousboe, Narration by Joe Pera, Music by Ryan Dann, Edited by Whit Conway and Marty Schousboe.

Adult Swim (AdultSwim.com), launched in 2001, is a WarnerMedia network offering original and acquired animated and live-action series for young adults. Airing nightly from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. (ET/PT), Adult Swim is the #1 network with persons18-24, 18-34 and 18-49 and is seen in 85 million U.S. homes.

Warner Bros. is a global leader in the creation, production, distribution, licensing and marketing of all forms of entertainment across all current and emerging media and platforms. A WarnerMedia company, the Studio is home to one of the most successful collections of brands in the world and stands at the forefront of every aspect of the entertainment industry, from feature film, television and home entertainment production and worldwide distribution to DVD and Blu-ray, digital distribution, animation, comic books, videogames, product and brand licensing, and broadcasting.

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Breaking News - Sit Back, Unwind and Watch Relaxing Old Footage with Joe Pera to Calm Your Worries - The Futon Critic

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May 24th, 2020 at 7:46 am

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Letter to the Editor: A relaxing walk by the sea? No it was not – Bournemouth Echo

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MY husband and I have adhered strictly to lockdown and thus, although living in Bournemouth, Tuesday was the first time we have got in our car to go to the beach for daily exercise.

We went late afternoon and chose to go the beach near Southbourne crossroads, believing it would be quieter than in the middle of town.

A relaxing walk by the sea it really wasnt! And I have to say it was due to the number and irresponsible behaviour of cyclists.

Almost as soon as we started walking on the promenade I was almost knocked down by a speeding bike that missed me by inches.

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We witnessed groups of teenagers riding three abreast down the prom, others not looking where they were going whilst talking on phones or playing music, unaware of anyone else.

We decided to return via the cliff top for safety, and what happens? Cyclists on the pavements. We could not get away from them to enjoy a walk.

What rights do pedestrians have to enjoy a walk? It seems none. This is not satisfactory at the best of times, but given social distancing this is ridiculous BCP.

If necessary give cyclists free range to 10am and after 7pm, or some such arrangement, but do something because cyclists and walkers do not mix. Add the necessity for social distancing and what is going on is dangerous and totally unacceptable.

ELIZABETH LUCAS

Bournemouth

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Letter to the Editor: A relaxing walk by the sea? No it was not - Bournemouth Echo

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May 24th, 2020 at 7:46 am

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An A to Z of old words to calm and inspire hope – The Guardian

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Words of wellbeing: Concubium is the soundest, calmest, deepest part of your sleep. Illustration: Eva Bee/The Observer

Like language, our emotions are universal and whatever fears and anxieties we are now experiencing, someone else in centuries gone by has felt the same way. Here is an A-Z of archaic and forgotten words that at some point in the past exactly described an elusive sense of peace, calm and delight. So, if you want to know your agathism from your euneirophrenia, read on and draw comfort from these linguistic oddities

Agathism Its hard to be an optimist knowing that there are tough times ahead. But in lieu of optimism, theres always agathism a word coined in 1830 for the belief that all things eventually get better, though the means by which they do is not always easy. It is a word to remind us that though we may be in for hard times, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Bummel Our daily constitutional neednt be an exhausting run around the block. Derived from a German word for strolling, a bummel is nothing more than a relaxing leisurely walk or wander.

Concubium Adopted into English from Latin in the 1600s, the concubium is the soundest, calmest, deepest part of your sleep. That time of night when all men are at rest, as one 17th-century dictionary put it.

Dolorifuge Whatever it is that makes you happy, that is your dolorifuge: this 19th-century term describes anything or anyone that alleviates feelings of pain or sadness.

Euneirophrenia One of the strangest side-effects of our curtailed routines at the moment is that our brains are working overtime while we sleep, so the word euneirophrenia might come in useful. It describes the wholly pleasing feeling you have on waking from an equally pleasant dream.

Focillation Derived from the Latin for nourish, a focillation is a momentary act of comfort or refreshment. Take it as a reminder that it is perfectly fine to take some time out, whenever you need it.

Glee-dream If you find solace in films or music, or find that youre dearly missing the theatre or cinema, the word you are looking for is glee-dream. The modern form of the Old English gleodream, the Oxford English Dictionary defines this as delight of minstrelsy that is, the pleasure that comes from a musical performance or similar entertainment.

Heterocentric How we all should and, thankfully, how a great many of us currently are living our lives: if youre heterocentric then youre more concerned with other people than you are yourself.

Interfulgent A fitting metaphor for the triumph of light in dark times. Derived from the Latin word for shining, something that is interfulgent shines through or between that which would otherwise obscure it as sunshine through clouds or the leaves of trees.

Jamb-friend A jamb is a supporting timber, of course, which makes a jamb-friend an early 19th-century word for a friend with whom you could quite happily sit by a fireside talking and relaxing well into the early hours.

Kaffeeklatsch Borrowed from German in the 1800s, a kaffeeklatsch is a chattering catch-up with friends and family over endless cups of coffee. Its a lot more poetic than the Victorian alternative: according to one contemporary dictionary, scandal-loving women who like to meet over a cup of tea were once known as muffin-wallopers.

Back in the 1600s, laetificate meant to lift someones spirits

Laetificate Its a word not much used since the 1600s, but its one you might need today or might be called on to offer to someone else. Quite simply, to laetificate is to lift someones spirits.

Meliorism George Eliot coined the word meliorism to define her outlook on life, once writing to the psychologist James Sully to explain that: I dont know that I ever heard anybody use the word meliorist except myself. Operating halfway between optimism and realism, meliorism is the belief that the world no matter what shape it may be in can always be improved by the concerted effort of mankind.

Nikhedonia Nike was the Greek goddess of victory. Hedone (as in hedonism) was a Greek word for pleasure. Put those two together and you have nikhedonia a term from psychology for the inspiring, adrenalin-raising excitement of anticipating a future success.

Omnibenevolence Just as an omnipotent person has power over everything, an omnibenevolent person exhibits kindness to everything and everyone. That endless, all-encompassing compassion is omnibenevolence.

Peeled-egg Were all guilty of worrying that the worst could suddenly befall us, but rarely imagine that something just as unexpectedly wonderful could take place. JRR Tolkien coined the word eucatastrophe to describe an unforeseen event of sheer good fortune, but the Scots beat him to it. First recorded in Scottish proverbs dating from the 1800s, a peeled-egg is: A stroke of good fortune which one has not had to strive for. It was once a popular name given to farms established on land with unanticipated natural advantages.

Queem Something described as queem is perfectly calm or serene or by extension, perfectly smooth and level. Queemness, likewise, can be used to describe perfect serenity, or perfect smoothness and levelness, while two things that work queemly with one another are either perfectly harmonious, or, like two parts of a joint, snug and well adapted to one another.

Adopted from French, retrouvailles literally means 'refinding'

Retrouvailles Adopted from French, retrouvailles literally means refinding but its more usually understood as the French equivalent of what we might call a reunion or homecoming. Recently the word came to be used more imaginatively to describe the utter happiness or joy sparked by reuniting or catching up with someone you havent seen in a long time. A word well worth recalling in the months ahead.

Supernaculum It might be a fine glass of wine or whisky or nothing more than a perfectly brewed and timed cup of tea. A supernaculum is a drink so appreciated that it is savoured to its very last drop.

Traumatropism A tree partly felled by gales or lightning can often continue growing albeit in some ever more unwieldy or implausible shape. That undeterred response to earlier damage is an example of a phenomenon called traumatropism. Taken literally, it reminds us that nature is stronger and more resilient than we could ever imagine; metaphorically, it tells us that harsh setbacks need not end our progress.

Unsoulclogged Its not the most handsome of words, but were all striving to be unsoulclogged. It is total contentment, peace of mind, and freedom from sadness and dejection or, as one 1881 dictionary defined it, the state of not being weighed down in spirit.

Villeggiatura When youre tired of the city or your usual routine, its time for a villeggiatura. Adopted into English from Italian in the 18th century, a villeggiatura is a restorative trip or holiday to the countryside, taken to lift the spirits and unwind the mind.

Worldcraft Ageing is hardly the most welcome of lifes certainties. But for every word to remind us of its drawbacks (to be eildencumbered is to be held back by age), there is one for its seldom considered positives. Worldcraft is an 18th-century word for the unmatched cumulative wisdom of an aged person whose long life has given them unique and much venerated insight far beyond anything a younger, less experienced person could ever imagine.

Xenodochy Hospitality offered to strangers. The prefix xeno comes from the Greek word for strange or foreign, but we only tend to encounter it today in xenophobia. Now seems an apt time to highlight one of its overlooked opposites.

Yahrsider We are all looking out for our yahrsiders at the moment. A dialect term from the 18th century, a yahrsider is someone from the same family or town as you, or who shares the same community spirit.

Zenobia A courageous and effective third-century queen of Palmyra, Zenobia expanded her kingdom into the almighty Palmyrene Empire, stretching from Ankara to Aswan. Her name has been adopted as a term for a powerful, unstoppably determined woman.

The Cabinet of Calm: Soothing Words for Troubled Times by Paul Anthony Jones (Elliott & Thompson, 12.99) is out now

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An A to Z of old words to calm and inspire hope - The Guardian

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May 24th, 2020 at 7:46 am

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As Tampa Bay reopens, live music slowly dials up the volume – Tampa Bay Times

Posted: May 21, 2020 at 2:45 pm


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While large concerts are still a long way off, some restaurants are booking socially distant shows.

ST. PETE BEACH With a cool breeze drifting in from the Gulf of Mexico behind him, John Barney strummed out a little Tom Petty, a little Bob Marley and a little Otis Redding on the dock of Jimmy Bs Beach Bar. The afternoon crowd of maybe 30, plus a steady trickle heading to the shore, sipped drinks beneath umbrellas, tapping their toes, nodding their heads and soaking in the music.

Oh man, we got a wild crowd here today, said Barney, who performs under the name Johnny B.

Laid back or not, any audience these days is a welcome one.

Its good to be out of the house, Ill tell you that, he said.

While the concert industry remains a long way from normal bars and venues are still closed, and large gatherings are still barred live music has begun trickling back into everyday life around Tampa Bay. Restaurants, especially those with outdoor seating, have resumed booking shows.

Jimmy Bs started booking daily performances in early May, around the same time KaTiki in Treasure Island started weekend shows. Saltys Beach Bar at the TradeWinds Island Grand has been hosting live music from 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays, with performers lined up until mid-June.

I dont want anybody to get sick, said Barney, 43, of Largo. But man, we have to live. People have to live their lives. If we do what we need to do and keep to ourselves, wash our hands and arent stupid, I think well be alright.

The closest thing to a normal, ticketed concert came May 16 at St. Petersburgs Hideaway Cafe, a studio and event space that sells food and drinks. The cafe hosted Shaun Hopper and Christopher Barbosa in what was billed on Facebook as an exclusive semi-private all-inclusive show, complete with nibbles and sips" a dozen tables for two set at a safe social distance, with all staff in face masks and gloves. Theyll do it again Saturday, with table packages for Rob Tyre priced at $100. The show will be streamed live on Facebook.

I think its a very safe way for us to attempt to get some people in, said Hideaway Cafe owner John Kelly. Ive gotten, so far, really good support for it. People feel its a safe environment. The shows are quality, with these artists that were putting on. For getting back to it, its a really nice way to spend an evening.

Other places that regularly host local artists arent jumping back in yet.

The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, which hosts local musicians at several bars around its property, will not do so when it reopens to the public on Thursday. Some popular restaurants with stages, including Skippers Smokehouse in Tampa and Whistle Stop Grill and Bar in Safety Harbor, have no immediate plans to bring back live music.

I think about music every day, as you can well imagine, said Tom White, co-owner of Skippers Smokehouse, which reopened for limited business Tuesday. A lot of musicians need dough, and I will try to help the best I can, but dont want to create some situation where we have to have social distancing bouncers.

From what Barney has seen in his first three weeks back on stage, audiences these days dont act quite the same as they were before the pandemic. At Jimmy Bs on Tuesday afternoon, despite plenty of signs urging patrons to keep a safe social distance including one on each side of the stage three people came up to Barney to make a request or take a photo.

Im not going to lie to you, the people that are out are the ones that arent worried, if that makes any sense, he said. I dont want to use the word crazy, but theyre the ones that are ready to go. I really just try to play nice, easy, relaxing music for people sitting, that dont get up and dance.

St. Petersburg country singer Aubrey Wollett has shows Saturday at Hog Island Fish Camp in Dunedin and May 29 at the Tiki Tavern in Safety Harbor. She expects most of her gigs for the foreseeable future will likely be in spaces that can thread that narrow needle between restaurant and performance space.

All musicians are kind of scrambling for gigs right now, he said. Were all in the same boat, trying to look for gigs and make money. But Ive realized the schedule that I already had planned is not happening the way it was in my calendar."

Still, she needs the gigs to pay her bills even if shes only playing for tips.

From what Ive heard from other musicians, people are being really generous which I realized through my virtual shows, and people tipping generously, she said. It doesnt hurt to just put a little guitar case out and suggest, If anyone wants to donate... Thats our livelihood.

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As Tampa Bay reopens, live music slowly dials up the volume - Tampa Bay Times

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May 21st, 2020 at 2:45 pm

Posted in Relaxing Music

Brattleboro duo Aura Shards taking a ‘hands-on’ approach to a new world of music – Brattleboro Reformer

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By Bill LeConey, Brattleboro Reformer

BRATTLEBORO In this time of social distancing, restricted travel and forced isolation, there's no denying the appeal of a more expansive approach to music, opening up to new sounds from around the world and beyond, reaching out to the cosmos. That's the space which Aura Shards explores.

Aura Shards is a world fusion project formed by Jed Blume and Anders Burrows which utilizes the entrancing sound of the hand pan, a relative newcomer on the percussion scene, accompanied by a variety of rhythmic and tonal instruments, such as the didgeridoo, djembe, tabla and electro-organic a-frame drum.

Blume, 32, is a New Jersey native who first came to the area for the School for International Training graduate program. He is a new age and world music composer, percussionist and hand pan soloist. Burrows, 38, is a Brattleboro native who played piano and horns at an early age, attended film school in Boston, then returned to Vermont to play in local jazz and Afrobeat ensembles.

The duo has performed over the last six years at area farmers markets, festivals, restaurants and music venues, including Next Stage Arts Project and The Stone Church. In its all original compositions, Aura Shards blends a harmonic and rhythmically complex sound that is at once soothing and engaging.

On June 1, Aura Shards will release its first full-length CD, Rhythm in Totality, recorded mainly in Long Island City, N.Y., with tracking done by Phil Duke in New York and mixing and mastering done by Dan Richardson in Brattleboro. The album cover art is by Burrows.

With in-person conversations limited right now because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Reformer interviewed Blume and Burrows via Zoom about their music, the instrumentation and the new CD.

Q: What is a hand pan?

A: Burrows: The hand pan certainly has some of its inspiration from Caribbean-style instruments like the steel drum. But it was actually originally created in Bern, Switzerland, right around the turn of the century. It kind of looks like a metal UFO, or two woks melded together with some bumps on it. And you play it with your hands instead of sticks. It's very similar to that classic steel drum thing, only with a mellower kind of tone to it, and a little bit more range in tones, because it's not just the notes on the top of the hand pan that resonate, it's the whole pan itself that resonates as you play it. So really anywhere you hit, whether it's on a note or between notes, will have its own kind of unique sound and subtlety to it, which can all be worked into the songs and compositions.

Q: What is the process for writing songs using the hand pan?

A: Blume: I'm a percussionist, and we are both hand pan players, and what we do is we accompany each other's compositions. I write a song, and then Anders will play either djembe or didgeridoo to accompany that song, or he'll write a song and I'll play tabla, djembe or the a-frame drum to accompany his composition. It makes for a really interesting contrast, because I've been a rhythmic player my whole life and Anders has the jazz background and also plays the horn, and a handful of other instruments that are more melodic oriented. It's a pretty big range of stylistic ground that we cover between our two approaches and how we complement each other.

Q: How would you categorize or describe the music?

A: Burrows: That's one of the challenges we've had. A lot of the time we just kind of default back into saying it's hand pan music, because it is so centered around this very unique sound of the hand pan. It's rhythmic and complex but it's also meditative and tranquil. Sometimes it's hard to tell where the hand pan ends and the tabla begins. They're both very tonal and both very rhythmic. That was the original core of the group and we kind of expanded it out. Jed is quite a talented player on (the tabla). I also play the didgeridoo that creates a rhythmic drone, so these tones and rhythms marry together in complex patterns that are engaging but also very relaxing and mellow. This is one of the reasons why we've had so much success at farmers markets and whatnot, where we're kind of creating a mood or a scene which people can engage with as much as they want to or as little as they want to.

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Blume: All the instruments are part of the world fusion approach, but it's also like New Age fusion, because it takes these very new instruments such as the hand pans and the electro-organic a-frame drum and blends and balances them with very old instruments like the tabla, the djembe and the didgeridoo. We also explore a lot of odd meters, which is one thing that makes our music engaging. People listening to it can really relax to it, but if you kind of tune into the rhythm and try to count it out, you're like, "Oh, wait a second, they're in nine or something weird." We've had musicians approach us after some of our songs that are in odd meters, and they're like, "So, was that in 19, or am I just crazy?" And we're like, "Yeah, actually, you nailed it there."

Q: How does this music lend itself to live performance?

A: Burrows: It's pretty locked down at this point. The songs are sculpted, they are written out, they are played the same each time. Sometimes, depending on the gig we might extend a section a little bit, but it's definitely not like an improvised thing. It's definitely very written.

Blume: Generally the person playing the pan leads, so even if there are subtle variations, it's very easy for the accompanists to follow. We've really done pretty much every farmers market in our region, but we've also done a lot of fairy festivals, where we are really well received.

Burrows: They're like slightly less hardcore Renaissance festivals, with lots of cool costumes and stuff.

Blume: We do a lot of the outdoor open-air, busking style. And then we also do the Next Stage type of show where we put on our button-downs instead of our dragon shirts, and present the music in a chamber kind of approach as opposed to like a fun and festive environment.

Burrows: It's very different when you have 40-plus people sitting in chairs staring at you the whole time. That being said, that attention really accelerates the craft of the song to another level. And when we feel the energy, we give that energy back and that's where we've had some of our most amazing moments, where we get to the end of a song and hit the last note, and there's just a moment of dead silence, and then the applause. That's a pretty amazing feeling. You know you did something right when you get that kind of reaction.

Q: A lot of live performance plans were put on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic. What's next for Aura Shards?

A: Blume: We're going to do a digital release of the CD on June 1 through all the major online platforms, like Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube and so forth. We have a band Facebook page where we post all the latest info, and you can also learn more about us at jedblume.com. We are planning to do a CD release event at Next Stage (in Putney), whenever we're allowed to have a concert there, potentially over the summer. Also as part of that concert, we're inviting local musician John Hughes to be part of the bill.

Q: One last thing: Where did you come up with the band name, Aura Shards? It's kind of mysterious.

A: Blume: The band name is an obscure reference to the greatest game ever made, let's leave it at that.

Burrows (laughing): It's kind of a good litmus test to see what your nerd creds are.

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Brattleboro duo Aura Shards taking a 'hands-on' approach to a new world of music - Brattleboro Reformer

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May 21st, 2020 at 2:45 pm

Posted in Relaxing Music

World Meditation Day 2020: Everything you need to find inner peace – The Independent

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At the moment, we're welcoming anything that will help us feel calm and alleviate stress. And as today, 21 May, marks World Meditation Day there's not better time to start this ancient Indian practice.

As previously reported by The Independent, the benefits of meditation have been explored in various scientific studies over the years, with recent research revealing that mindfulness can be effective for easing chronic pain.

Theres plenty of tools at your disposal too, some are free too, and can be as simple as a mindfulness app that will help you get into a comfortable meditation routine or a relaxing scented candle.

If youre feeling overwhelmed, stressed and anxious or just need some peace and quiet, heres how to get started.

You can trust our independent round-ups. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections. This revenue helps us to fund journalism across The Independent.

A mindfulness app to help you switch off and unwind, particularly if youre feeling anxious and many dont require you to be looking at a screen while you do it.

When searching to find the right app, its worth thinking about what you need as well as what you like. If you cant stand the narrators voice, for instance, then youre going to find it hard to relax.

If you want motivational messages sent through when you know youre going to be stressed, theres an app that will do that.

In our IndyBest round-up of the best mindfullness apps, we tested a mix of free and paying apps, all promising to soothe stressed minds. Coming out on top was the Calm app (Free one week trial, then 28.99 a year), which you can download for iOS here, download for Android here.

As soon as you open it up, youre greeted with the soothing sounds of the outdoors. As well as guided Daily Calm sessions, which help you unwind and refocus your attention, there are also programmes for intermediate and advanced users.

From bedtime stories read by Matthew McConaugheyto guided meditations, the Calm app is ideal for those looking for help switching off

If you fancy something a little different, you can pick from exclusive music tracks engineered to help you focus, relax or sleep, such as Calm Body a series of 10-minute guided videos on mindful movement and Sleep Stories, which are calming tales narrated by celebrities including Stephen Fry and Matthew McConaughey.

With plenty of content and at just 28.99 for a subscription that lasts the whole year (theres no monthly offer but that equates to just under 2.50 a month), we also think this app is great value.

Just Breathe is a free alternative that offers guided meditation with a teacher, music or timer in two, eight or 20-minute sessions. Its simple to use, easy to follow and wont take long before it becomes routine. Download it here for iOS and here for Android.

Lighting a candle with a relaxing scent can help you calm down before drifting off to sleep or simply make your environment calm and serene, ready to meditate.

Seeing as were in lockdown, its also the perfect opportunity to light that luxury candle you may have been saving.

Our favourites scented candle to help you relax is the Pure Thoughts meditation candle collection set of four (Pure Thoughts, 62).

Remember to burn your candle all the way across the first time you light it to prevent hollowing

Designed to fill your chosen chill out space with a different calming fragrance each day, you can choose from the energising lemongrass scent of gratitude, the soothing lavender of peace, the sweet geranium of love and the earthy patchouli of trust.

All its candles are handmade in Derbyshire in small batches using vegan-friendly soy wax, cotton wicks and pure essential oils and our reviewer found each one burns cleanly for 18 hours and throws its scent well for its size.

The Jo Loves pomelo candle (Jo Loves, 55) is an indulgent treat too, that when lit will transport you to sunny beaches and tranquil blue skies with its blend of grapefruit, vetiver and pink pomelo.

Unwind at home with a luxury scented candle that will fill your space with a relaxing aroma (Space NK)

Better yet, if you have a friend who is struggling to switch off, why not give them a candle to help them introduce a bit of calm to their days, especially if they're a parent juggling homeschooling and working from home or are looking after a vulnerable family member.

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Yoga and meditation are entwined together, so if you already practice yoga, you'll most likely be half way there when it comes to meditating.

One of the hardest parts of meditating is keeping still and sitting, or lying, in one place and being comfortable so a mat will help with encouraging you to do that.

Topping our IndyBest guide was the Liforme yoga mat (Liforme, 100) which had a grippy surface to stop you sliding around your floors and its right at the sweet spot for thickness (4.2mm).

What makes it so unique, though, is the grid system laid over the top to help you align yourself in poses without the help of a teacher guiding you in person. The lines are very slightly textured and they do take a bit of getting used to particularly if you have a set shape for downward dog, for example but its worth playing with.

Thesurface of this Liforne yoga mat is really grippy, even in the most intense hot yoga class our reviewer tried, so they'll suit classes in your living room just fine

And if you don't already do yoga, it can certainly help with feeling more calm. Regular exercise can be a great stress reliever, mood booster and aid in helping you sleep better, which is exactly what we all need in these uncertain times.

With just a mat, you can turn a room or corridor into your workout space.

If youre new to yoga, try following a session with Yoga With Adriene, one of the biggest yoga YouTube channels, fronted by instructor Adriene Mishler. She leads free, very straightforward sessions on her channel to her six million subscribers, creating challenges such as 30 Days Of Yoga or poses for specific needs like chronic pain or for cramps. Youll also find simple poses to imitate posted on her Instagram too.

Feeling well-rested and refreshed in the morning may feel like a distant memory during the pandemic, but getting enough rest is important to your physical and mental wellbeing.

Falling, and staying, asleep can be tricky and switching off at the end of the day isnt as easy as it sounds, no matter how tired you may be. Which is where a sleep app comes in to help you drift off and better understand your sleeping patterns. Many are free to download and use, so budget wont be an issue.

The best one we found in our round-up of sleep apps was Portal focus, sleep, escape. Its free to download or an optional 3.99 to unlock its premium content. From spring barley fields in Devon to Monteverdes cloud forest in Costa Rica, it transports users around the world, helping them drift off to sleep with the assistance of some of natures most relaxing sounds.

Whether we fancied a quick nap or just wanted to switch off after a long day, this was our go-to sleep aid and our reviewer found it helped them sleep no matter their mood.

Similar to a sleep tracking app, this Dreem headband (Dreem, 359) was a popular choice in our IndyBest guide to the best sleep aids.

It's soft, flexible and comfortable that contains nine sensors to measure movement, brain activity and heart rate, with breathing detection coming soon.

While a pricey investment, this tech headband gather stats on your night's sleep and offers consultations with sleep experts

You can look back over your nights sleep on the corresponding app on your phone, including stats such as how many times you changed position and how efficient your time in bed was.

But its not just about telling you whats wrong. Through the app our reviewer found, you have access to advice and consultations with sleep experts, and a whole library of meditation and relaxation techniques played to you through your headband

It is pricey, but if you're serious about improving your sleep, it's a worthy investment. Plus, there is the option to pay in instalments.

IndyBestproduct reviews are unbiased, independent advice you can trust. On some occasions, we earn revenue if you click the links and buy the products, but we never allow this to bias our coverage. The reviews are compiled through a mix of expert opinion and real-world testing.

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World Meditation Day 2020: Everything you need to find inner peace - The Independent

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