Everyday life can be tough for everyone, particularly for mothers, who juggle multiple tasks and responsibilities simultaneously. Life can be stressful at times with the clamors of kids' attention, the call to household cleanliness, demands of work deadlines, and maintaining strong relationships with or without partners. It would be good to sit back, kick off the shoes, and listen to relaxing music to calm the nerves. For new mothers, seasoned mothers, or even if you are not one, whether stressed or not, shown below are seven recommended albums and a track from the Amazon store.

(Photo : Amazon.com)

An Amazon exclusive, the album by various artists contains an "eclectic classical selection" as one customer commented. The relaxing set of music can be streamed over Amazon Music.

The 15-track album can be availed in double disc audio CD, MP3 and Amazon Music. It contains classical masterpieces from Mozart, Debussy, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Bach, and other musical greats. One reviewer, who is a retired teacher, called it the "best classical CD." Another said it is "great relaxation music - as advertised."

The track is taken from the album Calm Music Piano: Soothing, Relaxing, Soft Background Music for Sleep, Massage, Spa and More... byCalm Music Guru. Listen over Amazon Music and the MP3 version for a fee.

The album includes 101 spa music songs that can be used as sound therapy music for relaxation and meditation. The tracks feature sounds of nature that is suitable for deep sleep, massage, baby sleep, study, yoga, and Asian Zen meditation with natural white noise. Stream the collection in Amazon Music. It was branded as a "good investment in peace" whilst others gave it a five-star rating for the relaxing music.

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The album consists of 16 tracks that include "Song for Sienna" and "Sunset." A customer called it "classical, elegant, beautiful," and added, "very relaxing." Get the collection in MP3 or audio CD and can be streamed unlimited with the Amazon Music app.

The 2LP CD has 18 tracks per disc that will bring peace and serenity to the listeners. The classical music collection is available in MP3, audio CD, and in Amazon Music with streaming unlimited. The classical pieces packed inside are "relaxing" based on the gathered reviews. A consumer considers it as a "piano album that goes beyond relaxing," while another one recommends as suited for today's busy lifestyles.

The 29-piece collection includes the music we dearly loved and sang from our Church gatherings. Featured tracks are "Amazing Grace," "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee," "What Child is This," "Onward Christian Soldiers," "Ave Maria," "Hallelujah Chorus," and a lot of other rousing spiritual hymns. The compilation can be availed in audio CD, MP3, and Amazon Music.

Read more here:

Relaxing Music Every Mom Should Have in the Background - Music Times

Dallas Symphony Orchestra principal harpist Emily Levin and Colin Davin, professor of guitar at the Cleveland Institute of Music, have teamed up as the Davin-Levin Duo.

At this point in the pandemic, relaxing chamber music seems a better antidote for stress than a gargantuan Mahler symphony.

So along comes the debut album of the Davin-Levin Duo, composed of Dallas Symphony Orchestra principal harpist Emily Levin and Colin Davin, professor of guitar at the Cleveland Institute of Music. Titled Banter, it couldnt arrive at a better time.

Arrangements of pieces from the 20th century (all transcribed by Davin and Levin) bookend two works commissioned by the duo in 2016 and 2017.

The first commission, Banter, Bicker, Breathe (2016), by Will Stackpole, evokes different conversations that occur between a couple, according to the composer. The piece opens with agitated flourishes in the guitar and harp that build to a sudden exclamation. Levin then plays a repetitive pattern over which Davin spins out a soothing melody that gradually becomes more dissonant.

At times, the music seems to meander without any sense of direction. More captivating is the conclusion, in which Levin plucks ethereal notes in the upper register of her instrument against continuous murmurings in the guitar.

La Vita Nuova (and other consequences of Spring) (2017), by Dylan Mattingly, builds off the tranquil mood established in the ending of the Stackpole piece. Mattinglys music, which draws inspiration from Dante Alighieris La Vita Nuova, divides into three main sections, followed by a coda.

In the first, a progressively rising figure repeats and varies over time. In the second, a slow, intimate dialogue creates a serene backdrop, and melodic fragments blossom in the guitar. The third part explores the upper registers of both instruments and evokes an unsteady feeling with cross-rhythms between guitar and harp. A return of the opening figure brings the piece to a satisfying conclusion.

Ravels music often lends itself to arrangements. Pieces like La valse and Pavane for a Dead Princess work equally well on a piano alone or played by a full orchestra. Ravels Mother Goose Suite, which exists in both piano and orchestral versions, is another example. Inspired by actual fairy tales, its atmosphere of childlike innocence is effectively conveyed in the Davin-Levin transcription.

Although Philip Glass Etude No. 6, originally meant for piano solo, sounds cheesy in its made-for-Hollywood melodies that alternate with arpeggiated chords and fast scalar patterns, the transcription at least injects some color into the music.

Manuel de Fallas El amor brujo (Love, the Sorcerer), first composed for ballet and orchestra, is missing the fiery energy of winds and trumpet in the introduction, but it does close on an uplifting note, with a repeated tune in the harp that soars over rolling arpeggios in the guitar. Performances are assured and idiomatic throughout the collection.

Original post:

The Davin-Levin Duos relaxing debut album, Banter, couldnt have come at a better time - The Dallas Morning News

RESTRICTIONS are relaxing across the US and stay at home orders lifting, despite the nation still being firmly in the grip of the coronavirus pandemic.

Following the announcement of President Trump's three phase guidelines, some states have already begun to open beaches, shops and parks.

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Nationwide protests have also put pressure on governors to kickstart their economies and allow businesses to reopen.

The coronavirus death toll in the US continues to rise; as of Wednesday it stands at 45,150.

Georgia's stay at home order lifts on April 30, and many venues and businesses will reopen on Friday.

Gov Brian Kemp admitted cases will likely increase as bowling alleys, gyms, nail salons, massage therapists and movie theaters reopen, The Hill reported.

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Gov. Bill Lee announced his stay at home order would not extend past April 30, meaning 89 of Tennessee's 95 counties can begin to get back to normal.

"For the good of our state, social distancing must continue, but our economic shutdown cannot," he said.

A governor-appointed, 30-member economic recovery group is working with industry leaders to ensure that some businesses can reopen as early as April 27,the Tennessean reported.

However this doesn't necessarily apply to some of the state's largest cities, such as Nashville and Memphis, where local authorities have the power to determine when restrictions will be eased.

State parks reopened last week, but Lee has not yet determined which businesses will.

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Florida is coordinating with five other southern states to reopen their economies, even as cases continue to rise in the state.

Many of Florida's beaches have reopened, with walking, biking, hiking, fishing, running, swimming, taking care of pets and surfing allowed. Sunbathing, towels, blankets, chairs, coolers and grills are not.

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Colorado's stay at home order is due to end next week. It's the only blue state in the US that is easing restrictions.

Democratic Gov. Jared Polis will not be renewing the order, and is to allow a gradual reopening of nonessential businesses.

He will also permit surgical procedures, but says those who can work at home should continue to do so.

Details on which businesses can reopen will be released this week.

Stores selling furniture, books, music, flowers, clothing and accessories, as well as department stores, sporting goods stores and flea markets can open at 20% capacity, according to CNN.

Beaches opened on Tuesday, and Gov Henry McMaster's state of emergency executive order expires on April 27.

Local officials have the last word on whether beaches will reopen, and a handful have already said they wold not, including Isle of Palms, Edisto Beach, Folly Beach and Sullivans Island.

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Hikers were out on Monday as the state's parks reopened.

Retail stores can sell items curbside from April 24, and doctors can start elective surgeries.

Texas was one of the first states to reopen, with Abbott saying the state was "battling a colossal challenge," in a recent briefing.

"An invisible enemy that is testing our lives and livelihoods. Part of the Texas brand however is our ability to overcome challenges.

"We can get folks back to work. We can adopt safe strategies that prevent the spread of Covid-19

"And step by step we will reopen Texas."

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Gov Jim Justice will allow hospitals to resume elective surgeries if they meet a set of criteria - which he has yet to specify.

However other openings are still on hold, as Justice is proceeding cautiously.

A number of other states are expected to follow suit but have not yet made definitive announcements.

Last week,a projection model developed by scientistsat the University of Washington Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation said that Hawaii, Montana, Vermont and West Virginia could open by May 4, if they restrict large gatherings, test widely and quarantine the contacts of people who test positive.

But Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Utah are among states that would need to wait until late June or early July.

Breaking

The government's coronavirus advisor Dr Anthony Fauciwarned reopening stateswill tank economic recovery, saying: "The message [from the protests] is that clearly this is something that is hurting from the standpoint of economics, from the standpoint of things that have nothing to do with the virus.

"But unless we get the virus under control, the real recovery economically is not going to happen," Fauci said."

Do you have a story for The US Sun team?

Email us at exclusive@the-sun.com or call 212 416 4552.

Read more here:

Which states are re-opening and relaxing coronavirus social distancing rules? - The Sun

Willie Jonesinvites you into his at-home oasis in "Back Porch," his latest single. Press play above to listen to the new country-meets-R&Btrack.

"Sunshine's a little brighter / Moon hangs a little bit higher / Iced tea's a little bit a sweet / That grass' a little bit greener," Jones sings in the chorus of "Back Porch," extolling the benefits of a little bit of outdoor relaxation time. "That beer's a little bit colder / A little warmer when you hold her / Slide out that screen door / It's better on the back porch."

"Back Porch" is upbeat and carefree, but it comes from a tough spot: "At the time we wrote the song, I wasn't in the best place mentally, spiritually or even physically," Jones admits in a press release.

"Being in nature helps me, though, and my buddy's back porch and backyard were amazing, Jones explains of how he coped and became inspired. It just felt so great to be back down South in the open air. I spent hours out there just relaxing. I showed up to the studio the next day, and "Back Porch" was born."

A Shreveport, La., native, now based in Los Angeles, Jonesblends country music topics and cadences with the confessional, first-person styling of underground hip-hop. He was focused on gospel music and musical theater as a kid and, in 2012, competed onThe X Factor.

Who Is Willie Jones? 5 Things You Need to Know

Continued here:

Willie Jones' 'Back Porch' Invites You to Kick Back and Relax - The Boot

The poor mental health of asylum seekers in detention is no longer a guilt-trip that Australians hold at bay. Were getting a taste of it, especially the anxiety. Maybe some anger, simmering or otherwise.

You may be seeing this in family members who are struggling to adapt to a life where walking in the open air is a restricted, disciplined adventure, not dissimilar from walking the yard in jail.

Now and then you might hear somebody singing in the neighbourhood. Perhaps a number of people. And there it is: Singing makes you feel better.

Hence the breakout of couch choirs and balcony singing (see here and here) around the world.

The virtual and fragmented sing-a-longs prompted Australian Catholic University Professor of Music Tim McKenry this week to issue a press release with the following observation:

People are self-medicating with music because they can feel it making a difference. They are following a social pattern that goes back thousands of years to turn to music in times of stress.

Professor McKenry said many of the traditional forms of music such as hymns, slave songs, and military music developed in response to social isolation.

The sound of music, and the experience of making music, he said, is a powerful resource to draw upon, for modulating our mood and behaviour, and attendant stress.

Music helps us process and express emotions which is particularly important at a time when we are experiencing so much change and uncertainty, he said.

Throughout history humans have intentionally used music to influence mood and behaviour. We use songs to revel and rejoice, to worship and work, and to remember and reminisce. It is absolutely consistent that we use it now to deal with the contemporary challenges of the pandemic.

Theres plenty of research that supports this idea.

In fact, Professor McKenry cited more than two dozen research papers that highlight positive relationships between music participation, health and well-being in terms of social, emotional, cognitive and physical health, musicianship, spiritual, identity, self-improvement and life satisfaction benefits.

A study from 2013 found members of a choir become physically in-sync, not just emotionally, with a positive effect on total wellbeing.

The study found that the structures of songs, respiration and heart rates were all connected, with unison singing of known, regular song structures creating a synchronisation of heart rate variability so that they decelerate and accelerate at the same time.

Accordingly, choir singing was found to relax the vagus nerve, resulting in feelings of well-being and connectedness. This research gives further support for the role of therapeutic choirs to promote social capital and health equity in community settings.

Professor McKenry also notes that music can promote endurance: Chain gang songs or military marches tap into the power of rhythmic entrainment to keep people going long past the point of exhaustion.

On the other hand, one of Professor McKenrys sustaining favourites is this:

Prison research shows that music can positively and negatively determine the mood of a population in confinement. A 2013 Israeli study found relaxing music reduced anger and stress in a prison population, for inmates and guards.

A 2018 study found music was central to a prisons emotional geography.

In other words, in the quarters of a prison where more aggressive music is played, youre more likely to get a punch in the face; whereas the inmates partial to Cat Stevenss Morning Has Broken are likely to hug you to death.

Well duh!

If academia leaves you cold. Think of the few moments in The Shawkshank Redemption when the prisoners are freed from their spiritual austerity, and down-heartedness, by the magic of two women singing a duet from Mozart.

In 2011, Dutch psychologists found music is not only able to affect your mood, but can even change the way we perceive the world, to the point of seeing things that arent actually there.

The researchers from the University of Groningen found that, under the influence of a happy or sad tune, people sometimes see happy or sad faces. How is this possible?

In a statement from the university, lead author Dr Jacob Jolij writes: Seeing things that are not there is the result of top-down processes in the brain. Conscious perception is largely based on these top-down processes: your brain continuously compares the information that comes in through your eyes with what it expects on the basis of what you know about the world.

The final result of this comparison process is what we eventually experience as reality. Our research results suggest that the brain builds up expectations not just on the basis of experience but on your mood as well.

A 2016 study from Bournemouth University found music therapy reduces depression in children and adolescents with behavioural and emotional problems.

According to a statement from the university, the researchers found children and young people, aged eight to 16 years old, who received music therapy had significantly improved self-esteem and significantly reduced depression compared with those who received treatment without music therapy.

In his statement, Professor McKenry said the greatest benefits from music were gained by participation, but you dont have to be an expert musician: just connecting with the rhythm and melody helps.

When people sing, dance or play together that creates a sense of well-being and connectedness, he said.

At this time of social isolation, we can magnify the connections we are able to have whether by having family music time or by connecting with neighbours, as Italians have demonstrated so beautifully by singing from their balconies.

But we can also simulate that sense of connection to some degree and gain some of the benefits by singing, dancing or clapping along with recorded music or with friends over video-conferencing technology. It might feel strange at first but the research shows it works.

From Senior Editor Zona Black:

From reporter Cait Kelly, who describes the tune as chill as but upbeat.

Home page editor Basil Hegazi goes upbeat:

Our Sports editor Andrew Spud Tate pleads:

Social media reporter Cathryn Boyes has one for a bean bag:

Deputy Money Editor Killian Plastow loves:

Reporter and wombat advocate Sam Dick is crying out for freedom:

And The New Daily Science Editors personal pick-me-up is out of Africa:

Go here to see the original:

Is your family struggling emotionally? The sound of music is there to help - The New Daily

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 01: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has converted to black and white) Tyler ... [+] Joseph of Twenty One Pilots perform at Staples Center on November 01, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)

This frame has turned out to be pretty quiet toward to the top of the U.K. singles ranking, as only two tunes break into the top 40 this time around. While not many hits blow past the marker that determines when a song has become a real smash, there are several new tracks on the list promoted by superstars and two cuts continue to perform well, despite having already charted for a long time.

Heres a look at five of the most important moves on this weeks U.K. singles chart.

No. 17 - Meghan Thee Stallion - Savage

Still a rapper on the rise, Megan Thee Stallion hits a new high in the U.K. this week with her current single Savage, which is taken from her recent EP Suga. The cut steps up from No. 22 to No. 17, becoming her first top 20 in the country in the process.

No. 42 - Twenty One Pilots - Level of Concern

Alternative rockers Twenty One Pilots arent sitting back and relaxing during this pandemic. Instead, theyre using these tough times as inspiration for a new single, one which helps raise much-needed funds for people in the music industry who are suffering because they cant work.

Level of Concern, the first proper hit single related to the coronavirus and its effects on society, opens at No. 42 in the U.K., narrowly missing out on becoming a top 40 win for the duo. While it might not have entered the important region on the list, it does now stand as the two musicians third-highest-ranking cut in the country.

No. 55 - Selena Gomez - Boyfriend

Following the release of the deluxe edition of her latest album Rare, Selena Gomez returns to the singles chart in the U.K. with what has clearly been selected by fans as a favorite among the newly-dropped tracks. Boyfriend opens at No. 55, giving the singer another win on the ranking. She has now appeared on the chart more than 25 times.

No. 94 - Dave - Location (ft. Burna Boy)

Rapper Dave exploded into the U.K.s mainstream last year with his debut album Psychodrama, which went to No. 1 and which spun off a number of hit singles, including Location. The track, which features Burna Boy, once climbed to No. 6 (becoming the hip-hop stars second-highest-charting release), and it has now spent 52 weeks somewhere on the tally.

No. 99 - The Killers - Mr. Brightside

Somehow, The Killers 2003 single Mr. Brightside continues to sell and stream amazingly well in the U.K., where it has slowly become one of the most successful songs of all time. The cut has now racked up an incredible 222 weeks on the chart, and it falls off and returns (as is the case this frame) time and time again for seemingly no reason. Its back at No. 99 this time around, and it will probably disappear once again next week.

Read more here:

Twenty One Pilots, Selena Gomez And The Killers: 5 Major Moves On This Weeks U.K. Singles Chart - Forbes

By Zachary Anderson | 04/21/2020

Zachary Anderson is a Top 10 writer for The Cavalier Daily.

1. Its OK to be scared

In the era of information, it is OK to be overwhelmed by all the news articles and publications related to the COVID-19 outbreak. This is a time where there are many uncertainties, and having fears of what the future holds is valid in times of global crisis. Being constantly bombarded by statistics, downcast news stories and the stress of others does not stop the fear, so dont be afraid to take the time to disconnect and do things that comfort you.

2. Keep your loved ones close

Whether it is in person or through a screen, staying connected with those who are important in your life is necessary in these trying times. So talk to your parents, FaceTime your significant other and reconnect with your grandparents and relatives. We live in an era where social media helps us maintain connections, and it is a resource that people should take full advantage of.

3. Balance relaxation with something productive

Relaxation is a great way to reduce stress, but too much relaxation doesnt really get you anywhere. Speaking from personal experience, I relaxed a little too much when the stay-at-home order started in my state, and not using that time productively left a sour taste in my mouth. This is a great opportunity to learn something new or reacquire a skill that you had in the past.

4. Music heals the soul

Listening to music can add some much needed color and flavor to the bland days spent indoors. Hearing beautiful melodies or upbeat dance tunes can completely change the mood during the difficult days of quarantine. I love to listen to music that reminds me of the summer it brings back memories and inspires hope for a better and healthier future.

5. Stop taking your hometown for granted

Take a minute to thank your hometown heroes doctors, teachers and those who keep your home alive and well. Local businesses are working around the clock to ensure the comfort, health and general safety of their neighbors. Many restaurants are keeping their kitchens open for takeout, churches are collecting food and clothes and schoolteachers are navigating new technology to make sure that life stays the same. So when the quarantine is lifted, dedicate some time to your hometown.

6. Now is the time to rekindle friendships

As mentioned in No. 2, social media platforms are an invaluable tool for us as we maintain our social distances and quarantines. Maybe the time that we spend indoors can be time spent with those who we have lost touch with. Rekindling relationships with old friends even though it can seem slightly difficult is shockingly easy to do. Conveniently, quarantine has allowed for the perfect conversation starter Hows your quarantine going?

7. Nobody has the same quarantine experience

Nobodys quarantine is equal. You may know someone who is required to live with an abusive family member or someone who is living in complete solitude. Not everyone has the comforts that others may possess in these troubled times. With that said, I would urge everyone to be cognizant of those who may be living under difficult circumstances and be aware that not everyone can easily stay at home without problems.

8. Quarantine is not a vacation

Quarantining is a serious matter there is a global pandemic occurring. What this means for us is that this is not the time to be traveling around town and going over to friends houses. We all wish that we can be hanging out with friends and family in-person during this time, but the health and safety of those who we care for should be strongly taken into account.

9. Take advantage of sunny days

Staying inside all the time can be really mentally draining, but summer is coming fast, and now is the time to start preparing for the warm embrace of the summer sun. Socially distanced walks in the neighborhood, yoga in the parking lot and relaxing in the backyard are all great ways to get outside and get some good old vitamin D.

10. This might be the new normal for a while

Staying at home and living the life of less social interaction is something that may end in two weeks or two months, and the uncertainty that we face does not guarantee anything. Fortunately, everyone shares one thing in common in these times of trouble hope. Hope that the quarantine will eventually be lifted, hope that we can return to our jobs and our normal ways of life hope that allows us to see a life returned to the way it was before.

See more here:

Top 10 lessons that quarantine has taught me - University of Virginia The Cavalier Daily

Currently people are only talking about Covid-19, which can bring about emotions of fear, anxiety, anger or desperation. What can couples do to help one another?

Anxiety and fear are emotions that can be transmitted. We are seeing people who are generally calm about the whole situation but then get anxious after calling certain family members, or partners. If your partner is anxious, ideally you call them with video instead of chat by text. Calm yourself down before calling them. Use your presence and tone of voice to help them realise that there are things one can control and things that one does not have control over.

Ask them if they are being cautious about their own safety and if they feel they are doing all that they can. If they are, theres nothing else they can do. Remind them of the statistics and the amount of people who are not infected.

There are individuals who are currently single during this time, and might be facing moments of anxiety, sexual frustration or loneliness. Some might not want to spend this period alone; what advice would you provide to such individuals?

Being alone does not necessarily mean feeling lonely. We also know individuals who are in a full house who are feeling lonely. Anyone who is feeling so should seek support. They can contact friends, colleagues or relatives through chat or calls.

Dating apps or Facebook groups can also be a good way of starting relationships during such a time. Flirting and chatting without meeting can add a level of excitement for some, whilst reducing anxiety for others. The fact that one invests in getting to know the other person without physically hanging out can ease the pressure off some. The postponing of sexual interaction due to the current situation can also be a blessing for people who suffer from performance anxiety.

As with every change that we will go through in our lives, it is important to learn to look inwards and seek the coping strategies that have helped in the past and use them to adapt to new situations. If coping strategies we used in the past are not available or helpful we need to build new strategies and skills to be able to adapt.

We also suggest that they seek professional help if they need that extra push to initiate contact with others.

Are people still using dating apps? Is it a good time to use such apps?

People are still using dating apps, and research shows that there has been an increase in the use of dating apps, likely as people are bored and are also looking for other ways to connect with people since they are unable to socialise outdoors. There is nothing wrong with using these apps to connect with people, or to find partners with whom to engage in online sex with. However since meeting people outside your house is not advised, it is ideal to not use these apps to find people with whom to meet outside during the time of the pandemic, but there is nothing wrong with planning to meet these persons after.

Some couples might feel pressure to be more sexually active during this period of time. Is it okay to not feel constantly in the mood to perform? In what other ways can couples be intimate together?

Covid-19 has brought with it stress and anxiety. It is normal to have decreased appetite for sex when you are feeling stressed. This is a new situation that everyone is adapting to at their own pace. This is however an opportunity to spend more time with your partner, and there is more time to be intimate and actively present in those intimate moments. This is the perfect time to take a nice bath together, put on some relaxing music, some candles and enjoy a relaxing at home spa night.

You can plan activities to do together in the house-hold and enjoy being present together in these moments. That in itself can be intimate. If you do decide to have sex, you can enjoy taking it easier and having more time to explore different things in your sex life.

What advice would you give to couples who are now constantly together, working from home, cooking, cleaningsome might be experiencing petty arguments due to constantly being together.

It is advised to make sure to take time for yourselves as individuals. Set aside time in the day where you can spend some time alone, reading, taking a bath, having a video-call with a friend, so as to avoid getting frustrated with each others presence because of the limited ability to be elsewhere. There is nothing wrong with agreeing to give each other space, and it can make the communication in the relationship stronger when you are planning your time in this way.

How will relationships change post Covid-19?

This is a very difficult question as we have never experienced something like this before. We believe that some would have learnt the importance of being over doing. Being by themselves, with their families, and living the moment. Others might work even harder in order to make up for the perceived missed opportunities and income due to the current situation.

Some will come out of this traumatised whilst others will learn that they survived such a time and therefore feel more confident about themselves and their skills.

Our personalities and perspective of life determines how we live and perceive any situation. Hopefully, readers use this time by reflecting on their own perspective of life and their relationships and come out of this situation more aware of what their priorities are. We encourage all reading this to give meaning to these weeks/ months spent safe at home by delving deeper into themselves, and their relationships and come out stronger at more in tune with who they want to be.

Those who are not safe at home, please do seek help. Moments like these can become so intense that they make you question even more why you are in such a situation. Call for help. Get help. Change your situation.

Is it safe to have sex right now or is there a chance of spreading COVID-19?

Covid-19 is a respiratory virus that spreads through droplets, even through saliva. When having sex people are very close to each other and therefore this alone poses a risk of transmitting the virus. If you do have sex, it is recommended that you wash-up before sex and after sex. Covid-19 can live on surfaces for many hours and so its very important you take care of washing yourself before you touch your partner paying extra attention to your hands!

The safest way to have sex is sex with yourself! Masturbation will not spread Covid-19, especially if you wash your hands or any sex toys before and after with soap and water.

While it is not advised to do so because of the risks, if you want to have sex with people outside of your household, it is advisable to engage in sex with as few partners as possible. If you usually meet your sex partners online, maybe consider not meeting in-person and make use of digital platforms.

There might be some individuals who have just started a new relationship before Covid-19, and now due to physical distancing and quarantine, it will be difficult to meet as a couple right now. What advice would you give to such couples right now?

As sexual health professionals we always encourage couples to invest in physical time and contact. This makes the couple feel closer. However, we need to adapt to the situation were in and physical safety comes first. We encourage the couples in this situation to make use of technology so that they can be creative in staying in touch. Couples can spend time on online dates; send sex toys to each other, and sext.

The attachment between two people has several layers and types of connections. Although the physical one is a very important one, there are other connections that the couple can focus on in such times. Ask questions to get to know each other better. Play games online. Call each other to hear each others voice. Stay in touch through texting.

Lets not forget that there are a lot of couples who have survived long distance for many years. We can learn from them and adapt our intimacy and connection to the current situation. The most important thing is to make time for each other.

For anyone seeking support, you can message the WillingnessTeam Facebook chat with #COVID. WillingnessTeam Professionals are also offering online therapy on secure platforms, and support. They can be contacted through or 7929 1817. Willigness Team are also currently conducting an anonymous questionnaire regarding how Coronavirus has impacted relationships and sexuality.

Link:

Love in the time of Covid-19: Sex and relationships Q&A - Malta Independent Online

Published Apr 22, 2020

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Little Flower grows out of the folk-rock style of her Mapmaker EP from 2016 but keeps and expands upon the graceful, attentive arrangements of that release. While the piano remains her primary songwriting instrument, this album finds Rockarts gravitating further toward the guitar while fleshing out these songs with a variety of different sounds to suit each mood.

The title track is a blissful, laid-back beach-folk tune about the quiet strength of an introvert. The piano ballad "Margaret" reflects on a character who won't commit to love, emanating with the wounded tenderness of Regina Spektor or maybe even Joni Mitchell. "Stay" is a peppy, electrified indie-pop tune about a breakup that you wish wouldn't have happened, even though you could see it coming almost from the beginning. "Stranger" seethes with a dark, sinister energy, its thick guitars stomping along menacingly as Rockarts excoriates the predatory nature of the reviled catcaller: "I'm scared to go out late at night / And I'm frightened of the dark / You put this fear into my mind / When nobody has the right."

The lyricism is fairly modest, with room to be more evocative and uniquely stylish. Songs like "Without You" and "Right Now" are among those that are perhaps too literal and simplistic to be very powerful, but the pleasantness of the songs may be enough to subdue that desire for more depth. "Vistas" and "Golden Hour," meanwhile, have more of that poet's touch, coupled with dazzling, moving, string-based arrangements that end the album with delicate poignancy especially as Rockarts sings the gorgeous, tearjerker closer about lifelong partners fading away from each other with the onset of Alzheimer's disease and with more beauty than ever.

Particularly for fans of other Canadian indie-rock auteurs like Feist, Andy Shauf, Dan Mangan, Bahamas and Elliot Maginot (as well as non-Canadians like Faye Webster and Weyes Blood), Emily Rockarts' Little Flower is certainly worth a listen. (Independent)

Link:
Emily Rockarts' 'Little Flower' Glows from the Inside Out - Exclaim!

CHICAGO and SANTA ROSA, Calif., April 20, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leveraging digital channels for always-on, remote access has quickly evolved from a differentiator to a minimum requirement, especially when it comes to consumer finance. To better serve the evolving credit needs of consumers, TransUnion (TRU) has entered into a strategic partnership with CuneXus, a data-driven lending and marketing automation pioneer, to enable financial institutions to extend relevant credit offers to consumers via digital delivery channels.

This partnership delivers tremendous service power in the hands of our customers while providing relevant brand experiences to consumers that are safe and timely, said Sean Flynn, senior director of credit unions at TransUnion. The CuneXus solution allows lenders to harness the power of todays most sophisticated data assets, like trended credit data, and operationalizes that data for maximum consumer impact. In addition, our combined solutions will enable lenders to deploy prescreen strategies that have been optimized based on our companies combined expertise and many years of evaluating best practices in consumer lending.

The strategic partnership combines the cutting-edge technology of the CuneXus Perpetual Loan Approval platform with TransUnions robust data assets not only to enhance the lending experience for credit unions and banks, but also empowering them to serve members and customers more efficiently and effectively through existing digital channels. This enables lenders to deliver offers that are tailored to specific consumer needs, preferences and patterns.

CuneXus and TransUnion have a shared vision of how data and automation will shape the future of lending and digital engagement, making the partnership a natural match. We are thrilled to have found a partner with a long history of customer advocacy to enhance our application-free lending solution, said Dave Buerger, president & CEO of CuneXus. If the CuneXus platform is the engine, TransUnions wealth of data and knowledge is the rocket fuel.

Over the course of the partnership CuneXus and TransUnion will work together to integrate future products and services to deliver even greater capabilities and insights to customers. For more information on implementing digital lending solutions, please visit: https://www.transunion.com/industry/credit-unions.

About TransUnion (TRU) TransUnion is a global information and insights company that makes trust possible in the modern economy. We do this by providing a comprehensive picture of each person so they can be reliably and safely represented in the marketplace. As a result, businesses and consumers can transact with confidence and achieve great things. We call this Information for Good.

A leading presence in more than 30 countries across five continents, TransUnion provides solutions that help create economic opportunity, great experiences and personal empowerment for hundreds of millions of people.

http://www.transunion.com/business

About CuneXus CuneXus is focused on data-driven application-free lending that helps financial institutions optimize operational efficiency and customer experience. Its pioneering technologies are at the forefront of the transition to a new era of customer empowerment through on-demand lending and borrowing. With more than 130 of the nations largest credit unions and community banks as clients, CuneXus has generated tens of billions of dollars in consumer loan volume by bringing transparent borrowing experiences to over 17 million consumers in every major U.S. market. Among its numerous accolades the company has been recognized as one of just ten startups to watch on KPMGs global report of The 50 Best Fintech Innovators; named the winner of the Best Consumer Lending Company in the 2020 Fintech Breakthrough Awards; named the winner of the Callahan & Associates 2019 Innovation in Lending award, and named Top Emerging Technology Company at the 2019 LendIt Fintech Industry Awards . Visit http://www.cunexus.com for more information.

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CuneXus and TransUnion Collaboration Delivers Enhanced Digital Lending Capabilities for Financial Institutions - Yahoo Finance