Insights and information
about music, brain health, aging, and much more.
Where to take a forest bath in the Chicago area
The Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, also known as forest, or nature, bathing, has a multitude of health benefits. According to the National Institutes of Health, the term shinrin-yoku—which roughly translates to "making contact with and taking in the atmosphere of...
Improve your lung capacity—take a long, slow, deep breath
Changes in your body that naturally occur as you age can cause a decline in your lung capacity, or the total amount of air your lungs can hold. According to the American Lung Association, the lung tissue that helps keep your airways open can lose elasticity, which...
Living in Color – 9 Reasons to Make Coloring Books Your Next Healthy Passion
Ever wonder why coloring is such a large part of children's lives, both in and out of school? Although parents and teachers have been known to bring out crayons and paper as a way to occupy a child's time, the real reason is that coloring helps small hands develop and...
Experience the healing power of the woods: Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing
If someone told you that one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself is to go to the woods and take a bath, you’d likely dismiss it as another health fad, picturing a “glamping” style outdoor spa with claw-foot tubs artfully arranged in a bucolic setting that...
SONG SPOTLIGHT: I Bought Me a Cat
This traditional American folk song, arranged by Aaron Copland and Irving Fine, has a rich history spanning the Atlantic Ocean, given a new sort of life by some of the 20th century’s most accomplished, classically trained musicians—Benjamin Britten and Aaron...
Jon’s No. 1 Tip for Exercising Your Voice
A little bit, more often, is better than a whole lot, all at once.If you’ve ever gardened, you know that the least exciting work—but in some ways the most important—is to stay on top of those weeds. When Sandy and I are trying to get the butternut squash to “take” in...