I can´t believe today was Groundhog Day, and I didn´t remember! I´m usually well aware of it, but not this year; it didn´t even cross my mind.

Maybe it´s because lately, my life has been anything but monotonous, which is a good sign (if you don´t know what I´m talking about, take a look at this article).

Yesterday, for example, following on from last week´s topic, I decided to invest my time in something important and not urgent, so I went to a mini-retreat that included meditation, journaling, reiki and a sound bath in an amazing yoga studio located somewhere slightly remote and rural. I truly enjoyed it; it was a great way for me to recharge batteries (thanks, Esther and Isa, for organizing it!)

The part I was most looking forward to was the sound bath, which I loved, as expected; I had already participated in a couple of those somewhere else, and I highly recommend this experience to everyone. The sound and vibration of the Tibetan bowls and other instruments bring about multiple benefits, some more visible and immediate than others.

This reminded me that I also have a Tibetan bowl at home, though I don´t use it much; I´d like to start using it more often (here´s a picture; it´s small but has a nice sound).

Also, thankfully, the internet is full of melodies and sounds that can help us to relax, meditate, focus and many other things. Years ago, I remember hearing my yoga teacher say that listening to Gregorian chants was very beneficial; I was surprised at the time, but now I see that it makes sense: their vibration frequency is very similar to that of mantras, as both are variations of meditative chants.

Nature sounds, like ocean waves, rainfall or birdsong, are also good examples of sounds that help us calm down and get attuned to our own biological rhythm. In fact, some companies and public institutions use "soundscaping" techniques to design environments that foster the wellbeing of their occupants, incorporating certain melodies and sounds from nature.

This brings me to another point I wanted to mention: consciously choosing what we listen to (as well as what we say and sing) every day. We´ve all noticed at some point how hearing a certain song can change our mood, right? In reality, the sounds we perceive have a much deeper impact, even though we rarely notice. Perhaps, if we knew this, we would become a bit more selective and choose to surround ourselves with "good vibes" more often, without forgetting to allow some time in silence every now and then, for our mind also needs that.

I´d love to hear your thoughts on this; what´s your favourite sound? And what have you noticed regarding sounds and how they affect you?