All posts by Vegard Havre Paulsen

The Magic of Music: Alzheimer’s Patient Instantly Wakes Up When He Hears His Favorite Music

Listening to music can be a deep and profound experience. It can induce different moods and states of being.

Also, science tells us that music has several benefits like, for example, lowering blood pressure, lowering heart rate and decreasing anxiety.

Listening to music also activates and engages multiple areas of your brain.

When you actually play an instrument that activity becomes more like a full-body workout for the brain.

Both playing and listening to music have a vast amount of positive effects on the mind and body. There are numerous practical applications to change people’s lives, many of which are yet to be applied.

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Just like meditation in schools can help children’s development, so can music. Playing music can aid in literacy and improves academic results, and more active participation increases the benefit.

Studies show that students who played instruments in class improved neural processing compared to students who attended the music appreciation class. [1] [2] [3] Continue reading

Matter is an illusion: Physical Reality Is Empty Space Buzzing with Energy

Everything you see around you every day consists of physical matter – or so it seems. When we take a closer look at objects we see that they consist of atoms. Have you ever tried to imagine how small an atom is, or how much empty space it consists of? Atoms were thought to be the smallest building blocks of the universe for around 2000 years. We now know that atoms consist of smaller particles and that they are mostly empty space. In this video Jonathan Bergmann uses understandable metaphors to give you a sense of the insanely small size and the enormous density of the nucleus of an atom. Prepare to have your mind blown. As you just saw, atoms consist of vast amounts of empty space. Let’s take this a bit further. When quantum physicists look closely at atoms, they keep finding smaller building blocks and more empty space. Scientists now believe that tiny vibrating strings of energy make up the building blocks of the nucleus. In fact, all “matter” seems to consist of tiny vibrating strings of energy. In other words, the physical world you see around you consists of electromagnetic waves – light! Your physical body is not that physical at all. It is light, or energy. Continue reading

Backed by Science: 4 Esoteric Self-Help Methods That Actually Work

We all want to thrive. We want effective methods to transform our lives. Personal growth is a major drive for people.

The information overload makes it increasingly harder to know what to trust.

Also, humans tend to make decisions based on emotions rather than facts and logic.

The self-help industry is capitalizing heavily on the growing interest in spirituality and personal transformation.

It has changed the life of countless people to the better.

Still, many people are skeptical and dismiss much of it as non-scientific nonsense. These people often cringe when they hear terms such as “crystal-healing,” “tarot cards,” and “spirit animals.”

Meditation, too, was once a weird, mystical ritual for these people.

Now, a heavy body of research supports its wide array of benefits.

The practises that are backed by science are increasing in number. Some of the most scientifically recognized of these are gratitude, meditation, visualization, and keeping a journal.

Gratitude

meditation-277889_1920When science looks at personality traits that correlate with people’s happiness, gratitude is usually among the top three [1]. Wealth and possessions are far down the list.

Our brains are wired to see more of what we already focus on. By making a conscious effort to shift your focus onto something that you’re thankful for, you’ll help the mind find more and more such things, and create good emotions. Continue reading

Realize Everything Is Energy: Regaining Your Power as A Creator

Those who live in harmony with themselves, live in harmony with the universe.

Harmony is agreement, peace, friendship – the polyphony of infinite frequencies. Waves of light and energy vibrating constantly and endlessly, resonating deeply through – and as – All That Is.

Everything is energy.

Scientists and mystics unite in this truth.

The cutting edge in physics states that all matter consist of tiny vibrating strings of energy. Some physicists also claim that everything consists of an intelligent field of consciousness. Energy has a frequency and a wavelength – vibration is everywhere. Only a small part of all this energy is within the spectrum that we can sense through seeing and hearing.

We are still connected to everything and we receive and send out infinite amounts of frequencies all the time. We interact through so much more than just sight and hearing. Continue reading

Restructure Your Brain: Science Shows How Meditation Cures Overthinking

Meditation is a simple and proven path to improve mental and physical health. Its effects have been seen for thousands of years and have been tested and proven in modern times.

There are many ways to meditate – you can always find one that suits you. It can be as easy as taking 2 to 5 seconds where you disengage from thoughts and clear your head; it can be coloring, running or mindful breathing. Find a way that resonates with you.

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If you are of the anxious sort you should definitely consider meditation, as it is the best long term solution to stress and anxiety.

Research has shown that eight weeks ofmeditating less than 30 minutes a day can decrease perceived anxiety and stress. MR images show a link between perceived stress-reduction and a decrease in gray-matter density in a part of the brain called the amygdala. [1] Meditation changes your brain structure! Continue reading

Nature Vs. Cities: How Nature Literally Restructures Your Brain Patterns

I recently escaped the city life for a weekend. Into the forest I went, to a cabin with no running water or electricity. My whole system gradually unwound itself as I slowed down, let go of stress, and reconnected with nature. A sense of inner peace returned to me, and I felt rejuvenated for a long time.

In the city, just looking at the trees in the beautiful park outside my window brings me pleasure. Watching the newly sprouted leaves dance in the wind puts a smile on my face.

If you are like me, a walk through the park allows you to relax and enjoy the present moment. A growing body of research gives us deeper insight into the processes behind this, and the health benefits associated with being in nature.

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13839888_10153794831415983_946035330_oUrban life is a fairly new concept for our species. During most of our evolution we have been living in close contact with nature.

Sure, we have had great civilizations and big-cities for several thousand years, but not the noisy concrete jungles we have today. Nevertheless, cities are great hubs for novel ideas and new technologies. They gather a lot of human resources in one place.

City life, despite its benefits, is associated with higher rates of mental illness, including depression. Research suggests several ways to increase nature-induced well-being, even in cities. Having a view with natural elements, such as trees, seems to impact well-being [1]. Inner city children who have a natural view from their home seem to have higher levels of self-discipline [2]. Continue reading