By Edilka Anderson
It was Mark Twain that said, “Dance like nobody’s watching; love like you’ve never been hurt. Sing like nobody’s listening; live like it’s heaven on earth.” And why not?
In the privacy of your own home, you don’t have to worry about anyone seeing or hearing you… so why not turn up the volume and shake your booty when your favourite song comes on? And, who cares if the kids or the next-door neighbour hears you singing in the shower with a tone that is slightly off-key?
Music has and always will play a huge role in enhancing our lives and in setting our everyday mood or the tempo for special occasions. Research has shown time and again that listening to music can make you happier, boost your mood and help the brain to pay closer attention to your surroundings. It can also improve your memory and help reduce heart rate, stress, and anxiety levels.
One study found that playing soft music (and dimming the lights) during a meal can help people to slow down their eating speed and ultimately consume less food in one sitting. Playing classical music has even been shown to improve insomnia in college students.
So, just as it can enhance your lifestyle and your well-being, music and its various accoutrements can play an interesting role in helping you to personalize your space. Perhaps you have an opportunity to create a music themed room, a library or a dedicated space to remind you of your passion for music.
From that grand piano that can almost fill a room all on its own, to old records that are part of your collection that can be framed and hung as art, to a display of your own musical instrument in prominent spots, your love of music can truly contribute to making your house a home.
