Introducing the Aquagate. Steaming and streaming your way to a more relaxed and refreshed you. Equipped with the ability to play your mp3 files as well as pick up your favorite radio programs this shower is sure to help bring your day to a slower pace. Other features include hot mist and cold mist settings, a rain shower feature, and aroma and light therapy programming. To learn more visit villeroy-boch

We have always talked about the benefits of listening to music, but what about playing music. The 2006 Music USA: NAMM Global Report shows that more and more Americans are pursuing the art of music making.

Ok so you have your bunch that want to be rock stars, but that’s not the only reason Americans are taken up music making.

Other reasons include:
- The belief that music is a very important part of everday life.
- That music is part of a well-rounded education.
- Growing evidence connecting music making to improved learning.
- Making music can help cope with stress and other health issues.
- It's an enjoyable past time.

Check the report out for yourself here.

Click here to learn more about the NAMM.

So pluck that guitar, beat that drum, and blow that sax. It may be just what you need to become more creative, release some tension, or feel good about yourself.

We found this to be interesting data. According to an article on Easier.com 8 out of 10 Britons use music to help cope with the stresses of everyday life. The study, conducted byLegal and General, went on to say that woman and men equally use music as therapy. And that woman tend to use pop music while men use classical to help let go.

Others stats were:
4% of the people said they use Heavy Metal to relax
3% said jazz
1% for opera and hip hop

Read more here.

Hey lets face it animals have good and bad days just like us. And the folks at The Laurel Canyon Animal Company understand just that. With the help of an animal communicator, scientists, and a few musicians the Laurel Canyon Animal Company has created music therapy CDs just for your pets. These CD’s, made for specifically for dogs, cats, parrot, dolphins, and gorillas, are designed to help deal with issues such as hyperactivity, barking, and separation anxiety.

To learn about Laurel Canyon Animal Company and their products visit petcds.com.

A few weeks ago, an article from Rolling Stone came across my desk about how music is used by the soldiers in Iraq. Some reportedly listened to “techno” to stay awake after being up for 2 days in a row…While others use certain music to calm down or destress…But, most have come to use and depend on another type of music to get psyched up to go into battle. From DMX’s Ruff Ryder’s Anthem to Tupac Shakur’s “Hit Em Up”, these songs are used in “war mixes” to desensitize or to “make it seem like death is no big deal” according to one of soldiers surveyed.

I must admit that while I am all for using music as a tool to assist you in daily life, it’s creepy to know that some folks use it to help them through a bloody war…

Anywho, so now I am reminded of what I listen to when I become disenchant
Jennifer Washington: disenchanted with the world around me. It’s my own personal “war mix” with songs like “There Will Be Love” by Joe Condiracci, “Just Imagine” by Glynn McNeil, “Love is the Only Way” by 1000 Ways, and “If I Can’t Change the World” by Jeff Shepard. With a playlist like this one, I go from feeling damaged, dismal, and discouraged to feeling comforted, hopeful, and restored.

What songs express your feelings about the war? We would love to hear from you.

Last week we found tons of articles about iPods (mp3 players) and the health risk associated with them. We also found some articles about teens helping to spread the message about the risk of listening to their iPods for long periods of time at unsafe levels. The House Ear Institute even has a campaign about the potential side effects of over exposure to loud music (EarBud.org) that runs on MTV.

After a series of searches we found that supposedly the iPod itself can reach up to 120 decibels. And according OSHA unprotected exposure to sounds above 85 decibels for a prolonged period of time can lead to hearing loss( Don't know what 85 Decibels sound like experience it for yourself Here).

So we want to do our little part and remind everyone from young to old to be aware of the volume levels on your iPod (mp3 players). It is tempting to turn up the volume to tune out the unwanted noise but we must be careful not to crank it up to loud because the use of our ears are at risk.

You can learn more about ear health at these sites:
www.entnet.org
www.hei.org
www.betterhearing.org

Researchers Recommend Safe Listening Levels for Apple iPod from PhysOrg.com
Hearing researchers will present the first-ever detailed guidelines on safe volume levels for listening to the Apple iPod portable music player with earphones. In a second study, researchers found that in-ear earphones, which broadcast sound directly into the ears, are no more dangerous than headphones that are placed over the ears.

[Read More Here]

We found this site and thought it would be a good thing to share. Ladies and Gentlemen your online karaoke experience Ksolo.com. Here you can sing your heart out.

Ok so you ask what does this have to do with what we preach. After all most karaoke is hard on the ears anyway. Well, we had that debate and came to the realization that karaoke is a form of music therapy, well at least for the person doing the singing. Being able to belt out a tune to relive some stress, or just because we feel on top of the world is something we should all do from time to time.

And now we can all do it online for the world to hear.