articles » Food For Thought

Is this the most relaxing music ever?

Cate Sewell — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 19:00:17 +0000

Stress is one of the most talked about afflictions of our time. Apparently the British waste, on average, a year and a half worrying during their lifetimes. Long periods of stress can lead to a huge range of nasty symptoms including headaches, teeth grinding, lack of sleep, weight gain, stomach pain, reduced fertility and sex drive, all horrible.

Radox have been helping calm stressed Brits for decades with their hearty bath soaks, and as part of a new PR drive for their Spas they’ve done some research into whether it’s the massage or actually the ambient music that makes the experience so relaxing. They commissioned Manchester band Marconi Union to produce a track with the brief that it had to be ‘the most relaxing music in the world’, the result is called Weightless.

The music applies the science of ‘Entrainment’ – using specific rhythms, tones and frequencies with a continuous rhythm of 60 BPM (beats per minute), which causes ones brainwaves and heart rate to synchronise with the rhythm. The low underlying bass tones relax the listener while the low whooshing sounds induce a trance-like, deeper state of calm.

Scientists at MindLab International in Sussex tested subjects to record the subconscious physical responses to listening to ‘Weightless’ versus other music, or the action of having a massage.

Surprisingly the measured effects on heart rate, skin conduction and respiration proved that listening to ‘Weightless’ was more relaxing effect than both a massage and listening to more conventional music by the likes of that old fave, Enya.

If you are feeling stressed we suggest you light a Tranquility Candle by NEOM, put on the Silk Eye Mask from Holistic Silk and download this tune from the Radox Facebook page. cate sewell

Elisabetta Canalis’ Peta Campaign

Alexia Inge — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 14:32:22 +0000

Yesterday the stunning Elisabetta launched her latest campaign for PETA which reads, “Animals killed for their fur are electrocuted, drowned, beaten and often skinned alive. Be comfortable in your own skin, and let animals keep theirs.” I definitely don’t want to trivialise this key animal rights issue…But looking at this beautiful nude picture of her just made me want HER skin, by whatever means necessary! alexia inge

What a difference the USA can make…

Alexia Inge — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 11:46:57 +0000

If you had told me that Hugh Laurie would become the worldwide face of a L’Oreal Skincare range 10 years ago I would have fallen off my chair laughing. He personifies everything the world finds funny about British men, foppish, slightly chinless, bad teeth, lofty brow and a brilliant ability to make fun of himself.

Then he landed his dream role in the US series ‘House‘ and the transformation began…

Discovering what the inside of a gym looks like, the joys of a brilliantly tailored, crisp white shirt, what dentists do other than extractions and how limiting ones appointments with a razor is apparently all one needs to do to bring about a rebirth I never thought possible. What next, Jack Dee posing in white pants on a boat for Dolce & Gabanna, Alan Carr rolling around in the sand with puppies for Estee Lauder?! alexia inge

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