MUSIC'S HEALTH BENEFITS

Music is a universal language that unites people and apparently also makes us healthier. Since starting in professional practice, music has always been an essential element in my consulting rooms. It just made sense to create a more relaxing environment, away from the fast pace of city life, which will help you to get better faster. Many research studies are now also showing the benefits of music. One study found that listening to music while exercising improved the function of the brain. Another study found that "joyful music has a healthy effect on blood vessel function." And finally, a study of the elderly with sleep problems "reported a 35 percent improvement after they started listening to 45 minutes of soft music before bedtime." So whether it's in the car, while you're exercising, or part of your bedtime routine, make sure you're making music an integral part of your life.

ON A FIRST NAME BASIS

Ever since beginning practice, I have almost always introduced myself by my first name. I have never seen the need to say "I'm Dr. Nana." For most of the 20th century, doctors have appeared elitist and superior because of their education. However, we are merely specialists in a specific field of study like everyone else in society today. We know more and more about less and less, as I once read somewhere. Health care today is meant to be empowering, because the true healing comes from within and not from a doctor, healer, medicine, scalpel or adjustment. Whenever my patients give me credit for making them better, I always remind them that their own innate intelligence deserves the real credit, I merely helped. So remember, you are actually your own doctor and healer.

STUDY SHOWS BENEFITS OF NATURE

In a book I read recently, one of the characters complained about how flat and square our indoor spaces tend to be, making her feel very uncomfortable. For most of us city-dwellers, we spend most of our time in the unnatural surroundings of houses, offices, cars, shops, etc. But it turns out that a small dose of being in nature is good for your overall health. A review of 10 studies done in the UK showed that spending only five minutes a day in a natural environment improved people's mood, self-esteem, mental and physical health. Activities included things such as gardening, hiking, biking, etc. And apparently the strongest effect was around water, such as lakes, ponds, or streams. So if you're not getting your regular dose of nature, you owe it to your mind and body.

(The panoramic picture as seen above was taken in November 2009 on the way to the Drakensberg, overlooking the Sterkfontein Dam. We were only there for about 15 minutes, but it was peaceful and relaxing. And as this study shows, that short stop on our journey was actually good for our health, too. )