The most interesting things land in my mailbox. This morning it was a press release from two companies with an interest in wellness.
The two companies, Lifeclinic, Inc. and Healthbux have formed an alliance to offer employers a way to reward their employees for doing things to get and stay well. They’re debuting their coordinated system at the Consumer Health World Conference in Washington D.C. next week.

I’m fascinated and encouraged by a couple of things about this conference. First, it’s aimed at corporations - the attendees will be the executives who decide what their companies will pay for when it comes to your health. The presenters and attendees will be people from the health insurance industries and from corporations all over the country who decide on health plans for their businesses.

And what are they marketing to these corporations and businessmen? Not programs that cut benefits to the bare bones to save money, but those that encourage employees to be active and well in various ways. An entire segment of the conference is focused on integrating medical and wellness benefits - but they’re not stopping at talking about cost to employers, and the health insurance firms don’t stop with talking about the benefits that they’ll provide. Instead, they’re working together to move employers toward rewarding their employees for doing things to stay healthy.

I couldn’t help thinking how much music benefits wellness and productivity in so many ways. The right music at the right time can relieve tension, invoke a meditative state, induce inspiration. Studies suggest that music can help regulate your heartbeat and encourage the release of chemicals in your brain that both relax and energize you. And while there are those that recommend that you ‘enhance your music experience’ by sitting down and doing nothing but listen, I’m a firm believer in integrating music into your life in any way that you can. Bring the iPod when you go for a walk.

Turn on the stereo when you do the housework. Put on a CD when the family sits down to dinner. Play music in the car while you drive. Why limit the beneficial effects of music to fifteen minute sessions with your eyes closed when you can immerse yourself in the beauty, harmony and peace it inspires throughout your day?

It takes no time at all to press play. Indulge yourself, and find out how good you feel at the end of a day that was filled with music.

Love and Blessings,
Daniel