HEALTH

Music therapy for healthy living

TRY music therapy to see its benefits. Music relieves anxiety, eases depression, manages pain, reduces the need for sedatives and pain relievers during and after surgery, control blood pressure, enhances concentration and creativity etc. Various researches suggest that the brain responds to music almost as if it were medicine; it may regulate some body functions, stimulate the mind and even make us smarter.

Even in hospitals, patients on ventilators who listen music of their choice feel relaxed, while those who do not listen music grow more tense.

If you feel depressed, visit a doctor for treatment. But if you are simply stuck in a blue mood, listen soft music of your choice. A study suggests that music is very helpful in tackling depression and stress. While music is on, perform some gentle exercises, depending on your fitness level. Let the music move you. Keep your movements light and flowing. Gently come to rest when the music stops.

Physical discomforts, can be eased with flowing melodies and rhythms. Another study showed that people who listened to their favourite music while awake during a surgical procedure needed smaller amounts of sedatives and pain relievers than those who did not listen music. Light music can help promote relaxation, which can then alter your perception of pain.

Sit or lie in a comfortable position and switch the music on. Take at least 15 minutes to concentrate on the music. You may start with a lullaby-like selection, if you are feeling agitated. Then switch to something more soothing after five to 10 minutes. This will help lower your heartbeat and breathing rate, thus further relaxing you. The goal is to reduce tension that comes with pain.

Classical and new-age music helps those with sleeping problems. For reducing stress, look for something that attracts your attention, so that your mind turns away from worries. The music must grab your attention and at the same time give your a feeling of relaxation. Soothing melodies can control anxiety blood pressure and heartbeat, even under very stressful conditions. Choose a quiet place, sit or lie down in a comfortable position. After listening music for a few minutes, do some relaxation exercises. You may start feeling refreshed after listening music for even 10 minutes. Immediately, afterwards, you will find that you are able to think more clearly.

Dr Anil Dheer

Talk on emergency planning for medical disaster
Shivani Bhakoo
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 13
Dr Ravi Massey, Emergency Consultant, Alder Hey Children Hospital Liverpool, UK, visited Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) today. During his two-day visit, Dr Massey would deliver talks on emergency planning during medical disaster.

Talking to mediapersons here today, he said the threat to the well-being of society was on the rise due to growing terrorism. Also, with changing environmental conditions, the incidents of natural calamities were on the rise. Hence, it was important for a medical institute to have a devoted emergency and trauma centre to deal with all kind of adversaries.

Dr Messey said the emergency and trauma facilities available at CMCH were one of the best in the world. During his lecture on the emergency planning, he talked about medical threats arising due to bio-terrorism, chemical and nuclear warfare. He emphasised on the need for effective communication among doctors, media and the relatives of the effected for keeping calm.

He said a broad insight into the physical, physiological and psychological aspects of patients was important. He admitted that emergency planning for medical care for children was largely neglected. Hence, all should pay attention to this aspect. 

Sports meet results
Our Correspondent

Mandi Gobindgarh, February 13
Out of 525 ayurvedic dispensaries, five hospitals and 17 “swath kendras” only 50 posts of doctor are lying vacant while 840 posts are lying vacant in other hospitals which will be filled in the coming financial year. This was stated by Mr Ramesh Dut Sharma, state Minister for Medical Education and Grievances, after inaugurating the North Zone cultural meet of ayurvedic colleges at Desh Bhagat Ayurvedic College and Hospital (DBAC&H) yesterday.

The government had decided to spend Rs 62 lakh on the physically challenged in Ropar district. In reply to a question he agreed that the Health Corporation had spent crores on buildings and infrastructure of hospitals but for want of doctors, the common man failed to get proper treatment in government hospitals.

Dr G.L. Goyal, Director Ayurveda, Punjab, said sports and cultural activities were essential along with academic studies.

On the second day of the competitions today, Mr Sadhu Singh Dhramsot, MLA, Amloh was the chief guest. Mr Jagmeet Singh Bawa, member of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee was the guest of honour.

The first three positions of colleges in cultural events: Gidha-NLAC&H Amritsar, DBAC&H Mandi Gobindgarh and MBAC&H Muktsar; solo dance: Kulvinder Kaur and Gurpreet Kaur, Vani and Rupinder Kaur and Rajiv Salaria and Vandana Bhateja of DBAC&H, Mandi Gobindgarh, Dayanand Ayurveda C&H, Jalandhar, Government AC, Patiala, and BKAC&H, Moga, and Government Ayurveda Institute Paprola, MBAC&H, Muktsar, respectively; choreography: DBAC&H, Government Ayurveda College, Patiala, MBAC&H, Muktsar, SSKSAC&H, Sarabha, and SSMDAC&H, Moga, respectively.

The results of sports meet: Races (men): Manuj Uppal, Neeraj, Manuj Uppal, Subash, Jivan, Ashish, Subash, Jeevan Sharma, Jivan, Paramjeet Singh, Ramandeep-Gurjot-Jivan-Capil and Capil-Vishav-Vikram-Gurnam Singh.

Races (women): Sunita, Nishi Sharma, Shikha, Nishi, Harmandeep, Charu, Nishi Sharma, Kulwinder, Sunita-Jasbir-Dilpreet-Nishi and Prabjot-Neha-Charu Lata-Mamta Sharma.

Table tennis (women singles): Anima, Rani Amarpreet, Mandeep.

Table tennis (women doubles): Geetika and Anima, Shivani and Neelam, Kanu Maheshwari and Rani Amarpreet Kaur.

Discus throw (men): Kulwinder, Ranjeet Singh, discus throw (women): Monika, Rupinder Kaur; shot put (men): Ranjit,Navjot, shot put (women): Monika, Rupinder; high jump (men): Amardeep, Nisha, high jump(women):Subash, Tapinder; long jump (women): Harman Deep, Rajwinder, long jump (men): Manuj Uppal, Bandanjeet; table tennis (men): Prabhat, Puneet; Badminton (women doubles): Amardeep and Sonu, Nirupma and Gurinderjeet, badminton (men singles): Gohaar, Amit; badminton (women singles): Amardeep, Aditi.

Mr Jagmohan Singh Kang, Minister for Animal Husbandry, Sports and Youth Services will distribute the prizes tomorrow.

Winter sports meet at GNIMT
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, February 13
The annual winter sports meet of the Guru Nanak Institute of Management and Technology, Gujar Khan Campus, Model Town, was held here. Competitions in lawn tennis, kho-kho, carrom and chess were conducted during the three-day meet.

Results: carrom— Anita (MCA II) 1, Narinder Kaur (BBA-IV) 2, Shweta Kohli, (BCA VI)3, chess— Kavleen (BCA-VI-A) 1, Shuchi (BCA VI B) 2; lawn tennis— Nidhi (MCA IV) 1, Richa (MCA II) 2, Amandeep (MBA-II) 3. In kho-kho, — the IBCA-IV team, comprising Harpreet, Amritpal, Kirandeep, Manpreet, Kulwinder, Bimaljeet, Namita, Gurpreet and Mandeep emerged victorious.

The annual athletics meet of the institute will be held on Tuesday. Competition in 15 events will be held during that meet, according to Dr A.S. Bansal, Director-cum-Principal of the GNIMT.