Christmas is many things. We acknowledge in the article ‘Turn Christmas Music Around’ that it can be difficult for some people. But for most of us it’s a wonderful time. Despite its excesses, it’s a time for people to come together and be glad for each other. Isn’t that the heart of Christmas? We are reminded that we belong to one another. The birth in the stable gave us a child for all people. It is a story of poor shepherds and rich magi coming together to be glad. And it’s a story with music — heavenly music at that.
This issue of
Well Now asks you to consider the healing power of music. Since music gladdens the heart, there is probably not a better month than December for focusing on music — since it is so central to the holiday season.
In ‘A Profound Nonchemical Medication’ we look at the remarkable effect music can have on everyone, from stroke victims to people with dementia. In ‘Ways Music Can Improve Your Health’ you will find a list of ways you can use music to make yourself feel better physically, emotionally, and mentally.
And in our article about being a smart healthcare consumer, you’ll find information that comes in handy whether you’re wondering where to have your medical tests performed, or needing a doctor’s opinion when it’s not really convenient to leave your house. The more knowledge you have, the better able you are to make decisions that not only save you money, but help keep general healthcare costs on track.
It is our wish that this would truly be a blessed season for all of our readers. In the words of the beloved hymn, may all “heaven and nature sing.” And may you have many days ahead filled with good tidings of comfort and joy.
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Music — a profound nonchemical medication
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“There is no pill that does that,” said Dr. William H. Thomas, author and geriatrician, speaking in a 2014 documentary, as he watched music bring dementia patients to life, testifying to the power of music to promote health and healing.
That 2014 documentary, titled “Alive Inside,” told the story of Henry, an old man who had been in a nursing home for 10 years. Henry sat with his head down all day, inert, unresponsive, barely communicating. Then a social worker asked his family for Henry’s favorite songs and put them on an iPod connected to headphones. The nurse placed the phones on Henry’s ears and turned on the music.
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Music can improve your health and enhance your well-being - here's how!
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Reduces stress
Music lowers the heart rate and blood pressure.
Singing along to music can help release endorphins, which reduce the impact of pain and can boost your mood, and oxytocin, which reduces anxiety. When people sing, these hormones create a one-two punch lowering stress and promoting a positive outlook.
Improves your memory
The repetition of rhythm and melody helps the brain form patterns that enhance memory. Especially in stroke survivors, music helps with verbal memory and improved focus, and it reduces confusion.
Lessens anxiety
The oxytocin that music releases reduces anxiety. But you don’t need to understand the chemistry to know this truth. You have probably, at one time in your life, used music to calm yourself down or lower your anxiety.
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Turn Christmas music around
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After reading about the positive power of music, it may surprise you that there could be a negative aspect of music to consider. The sad truth is that there is at least one kind of music that may not always be good for people — Christmas music.
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Be a smart healthcare consumer
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Questions about healthcare are constantly before you. How do you get the care you need? How do you pay for it? How do you get enough health insurance to protect yourself and your family? These questions can be confusing and complicated.
Being part of an excellent program like the medical plan from Brethren Insurance Services goes a long way toward putting these questions to rest. But even with such a good plan there is still the question—how can you be a smart healthcare consumer?
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For your long-term care needs
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Brethren Insurance Services offers Long-Term Care Insurance all through the year.
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If you're interested in purchasing coverage, you should know that eligibility for benefits is determined by the inability to meet at least two of these six activities of daily living
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bathing, eating, dressing, toileting, continence, or transferring. Cognitive impairment can also trigger benefits.
It's difficult to think about the fact that a debilitating condition or a disabling injury might leave you unable to care for yourself, or that when you reach your twilight years, the time will come when you will need some extra care. Long-term care insurance makes sure that you will get the care you need. It helps assure that the cost of your custodial care will not eat up your savings. Finally, and this is one of the best things about LTCI, it can help protect your children and other relatives from having to use their resources to care for you.
Brethren Insurance Services offers Long-Term Care Insurance for all members and employees of the Church of the Brethren and their family and friends; and also for employees of Church of the Brethren-affiliated agencies, organizations, colleges, and retirement communities and their families and friends.
If you are interested in obtaining this coverage, contact Brethren Insurance Services at
insurance@cobbt.org
or 800-746-1505 for a free, no-obligation proposal.
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Church of the Brethren Insurance Services provides the following products - dental, vision, basic life and accidental death & dismemberment, supplemental life and AD&D, dependent life and AD&D, long-term disability, short-term disability, accident insurance, and Medicare supplement for eligible Church of the Brethren employees.
Dental, vision, and Medicare supplement coverage may also be available for eligible retired Church of the Brethren employees.
For eligibility information, call Connie Sandman at 800-746-1505, ext. 3366, or contact your human resources representative.
Medical and ancillary plans (named above) may be available to Brethren-affiliated employer groups.
Long-Term Care Insurance is available for all members of the Church of the Brethren, their family and friends, and employees of Church of the Brethren-affiliated agencies, organizations, colleges, and retirement communities.
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A not-for-profit ministry of
Church of the Brethren Benefit Trust Inc.
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Contact Us
1505 Dundee Ave
Elgin, IL 60120
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