On May 11 from 6:30-7:30 p.m., the Jackson Library will host Jo Ellen Ford from The Brewers Apprentice. She will discuss what people need to know to brew their own beer. The presentation is for adults. Registration is required. Details: 732-928-4400 and press option 4.

Singer Bob Kulik of the 1950s and 1960s group the Happenings, will perform at Congregation Ahavat Olam, 106 Windeler Road, Howell, at 3:30 p.m. May 21. A Chinese buffet will follow the show. Dinner and show, $25; Children 12 and under, $15; Show only, $18; Children 12 and under $10. RSVP by May 15. Reservations not needed for show only, but are appreciated. Details: 732-719-3500.

The Project Matters will present its seventh benefit show to raise funds for its mission of helping young New Jersey musicians at 7 p.m. May 6 at the Wonder Bar, Asbury Park. The headline act will be Cymbals Eat Guitars, with local talent Colton Kayser and The Project Matters supported Tyler Sarfert rounding out the bill. The Project Matters helps New Jersey artists age 5 and under with the purchase of instruments, education, music and video production costs, and other musical expenses. Tickets available at https://goo.gl/BZR6Nu

Look for turtles, egrets, herons, ospreys and other wildlife during a boat tour of the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell. Each 45-minute tour leaves from the Visitor Center, Windeler Road, Howell. Tours are offered at the top of the hour from 2-5 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, May 6 through Sept. 4. Wednesday tours are offered at 2, 3 and 4 p.m. from July 5 through Aug. 30. Evening tours are offered on the first Friday of each month May through September; call 732-751-9453 as times vary for the evening tours. All tours are weather and water level dependent. The fee is $6 per adult and $4 per child age 12 and under.

The Italian American Cultural Society of New Jersey will host a dinner meeting on May 11 at 7 p.m. at Mamma Mia Focacceria, 345 Route 9 South, Manalapan. The guest speaker will be portrait, sports and wildlife artist James Fiorentino. BYOB. All are invited. The cost is $35 per person for society members and $45 for non-members. Cash is preferred, no credit cards. To reserve seating, call Anthony Grassi at 917-743-3311 or Richard Favara at 732-861-9465.

Kathy Lo Bue, managing director of Glen Eagle Advisors, LLC, and host of the 2017 Discussion Series, will speak about the Fundamentals of Investing Yesterday, Today and in the Future from 7-9 p.m. May 10 at the St. Robert Bellarmine Parish Center, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township. Adults of all ages are invited to the presentation. The series is free, nonsectarian and open to the community. Lo Bue is an investment adviser with more than 30 years of experience. Call 732-866- 6660 to register.

The annual Spirit of the Jerseys State History Fair will be held on May 13 at Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Route 33, Manalapan, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine. Five centuries of New Jerseys history will be represented by exhibitors and re-enactors. Activities include 19th century baseball, plowing demonstrations, period music, and historical figures from New Jerseys past. Free admission/suggested $10 parking donation. Details: http://www.njhistoryfair.org

Get More Organized will be the theme of the May 7 meeting of the Monmouth County Genealogy Society at the Community Center, 72 Broad St., Eatontown. Beverly Yackel will explain her techniques for organizing genealogy research at 1:30 p.m. The program is free and the public is welcome. Details: 732-747-0090.

Residents of all towns are invited to attend an all you can eat breakfast sponsored by the Sons of the American Legion from Post 455, 2 Meadowbrook Lane, New Egypt, from 7-11 a.m. May 7. Adults, $8, children, $4, (children under 3, free).

On May 13 the Jackson Memorial High School Class of 1997 will host their 20-year reunion at Doolans Shore Club, Spring Lake. Cost is $85 per person, includes buffet dinner, open bar and DJ. Details: Steve Matusz at matusz.steve@gmail.com

The Jackson Library will host local author Lo Anne Mayer as she discusses her book, Celestial Conversations, which was inspired after Meyer lost her mother and daughter. The discussion will take place at 11 a.m. May 9. She will share techniques to overcome loss and find healing. The program is free, however advanced registration is required. Details: 732-928-4400.

The Jackson Library will host meditation practitioner Shazia Zaman sharing tips and techniques about visualizing during meditation. The program will take place at 11 a.m. May 16. This is an intermediate level class. Comfortable clothes recommended. Pre-requisite: Some meditation experience required. Limited seating. The program is free. To register, call 732-928-4400.

A coloring for adults program will be held at the Jackson Library from 10-11:30 a.m. June 20. Rediscover the joys of coloring. Coloring sheets and art supplies provided along with light refreshment and relaxing music. Adults 18 and over. Seating limited. Registration required. Registration is open now. Details: 732-928-4400.

Adults 18 and over can create their own rainbow clay necklace at 2 p.m. June 22 at the Jackson Library. Supplies provided. Seating is limited. Registration required. Registration opens June 9. Details: 732-928-4400.

The Jackson Library will host an Adventure in Art workshop from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 10. The workshop includes hands-on instruction by artist Nancy Bonta Voitko. Adults 18 and over. Seating limited. Registration required. Registration opens May 8. Details: 732-928-4400.

New Egypt Day will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 20. Activities for children will include face painting, pony rides, inflatables, petting zoo and a tractor-pulled wagon. Food, music by Jakes Rockin Country Band and vendors. Festivities will take place on Main Street and Evergreen Road. Admission is free. A $6 per child wristband is required for unlimited access to childrens activities listed above. For more information or to request a vendor application, contact Peter Ylvisaker at 609-758-2241, ext. 132, or email pylvisaker@plumsted.org

The Jackson Friends of the Library will host a book sale at the Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson, from April 29 through May 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Monday through Thursday) and from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Friday and Saturday). Books, audio books, CDs and DVDs will be available for purchase. New items will be added every day. All are welcome to attend.

The Upper Freehold-Allentown Municipal Alliance will host Bike Night 2017 on June 7. All makes and models of bikes are welcome. American and metric bikes will be present. A car show will be held on June 28. All makes and models of cars are welcome. Both events will be held from 5:30-9 p.m. at the Roost at the Cream Ridge Golf Course, 181 Route 539, Upper Freehold Township. Door prizes, judging, awards, music, food and beverages. Vendor opportunities are available. There is no entry fee, but donations for the alliance are accepted. Details:609-758-7738, ext. 230.

The Adelphia Fire Company, 925 Adelphia Road (Route 524), Howell, will hold its annual Steak Bake and Gift Auction on May 6. Doors open at 6 p.m. Dinner from 7-9 p.m. Ticket donation: $35. Includes all you can eat steak, fries, salad, dessert, soda/tea and beer. For tickets, email Mark or Katie at adelphiafiresteakbake@gmail.com

The Jackson Librarys knitting group, Knit-Chat-Chain, is seeking donations of yarn and wool. The members of the group create sweaters, hats, scarves and blankets to donate to charity. Yarn donations may be brought to the Circulation Desk during library hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Details: 732-928-4400.

New Jersey Blood Services is in need of volunteers to work blood drives in Ocean and Monmouth counties. Tasks include assisting donors with registration, watching donors for post-donation reactions and responding to their needs. Details: Jan Zepka, 732-616-8741.

St. Aloysius Church, 935 Bennetts Mills Road, Jackson, offers support groups to help people better understand their feelings and to meet others who are dealing with the same life issues. A bereavement support group meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. and a divorced and separated support group meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. Both meetings are held in the parish office. A freewill donation of $5 is requested. Details: Email St AloysiusGonzagaGroup@gmail.com.

Items for the Datebook may be sent to gmntnews@newspapermediagroup.com. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.

See the original post:

Tri-Town News Datebook, May 4 - News Transcript

Audio boffins have come up with an altogether more positive way to influencing train passengers emotions than delays or cancellations do.

Sony and Eurostar have teamed up to create the Sound Menu which provides commuters with the perfect selection of music to get them into the right mood for their journeys end.

The innovative system has been devised with senior lecturer in psychology of music at Keele University, Dr Alexandra Lamont, drawing on a studies into music and mood regulation to recommend five playlists that help travellers prepare, relax and focus on route to their destination.

MORE:Top 10 bizarre but real reasons why your trains have been delayed

These playlists include varying styles and tempos of music to evoke different emotions, and are more about musical types rather than specific songs.

They include dance tracks to psych you up as well as relaxing music to celebrate a job well done.

The Sound Menu is optimised for use with Sonys 1000X wireless noise-cancelling headphones.

Matt Coupe, head of sound, UK & Ireland at Sony, said the music helps commuters to cut out the chaos around them.

He said: We know that music, if listened to in the right way, can be a form of escapism or can help focus the mind.

We saw from research many are unable to relax or fully immerse themselves in music.

MORE:See Erasure singalong at Tube station - what surprise moments have made you smile?

Dr Lamont added: Creating an auditory bubble while travelling, such as through the use of noise cancellation technology, can allow passengers to get more from their journey, helps people block out environmental noise and allows them to focus on the moment or the task at hand.

We know that different music creates different moods, and the traveller can immerse themselves in music that suits or changes their mood to make the journey pass more pleasantly.

Being able to eliminate these noises and replacing them entirely with the sound of your choice leads to an all-round more relaxed experience.

MORE: Commuters get a musical surprise at the train station

Neil Roberts, head of digital at Eurostar, said: Were always looking for ways to improve our passengers journeys, and the new Sound Menu created by Sony offers our travellers a way to get more out of their time on board, whether its focusing on work, or relaxing after a busy day.

The Sound Menu follows a study of 2,000 commuters which found more than a quarter can never fully relax on a journey and 23 per cent complain about being unable to switch off ahead of important meetings.

Nearly 40 per cent of travellers blame noise made by other people for causing them stress, while two thirds say music helps them relax.

The playlist are currently only being trialled on Eurostar trains during April but would you want to see, or rather hear, something similar introduced on Southeastern and Southern trains to help improve your mood? What other things would make train journeys more pleasant? Add your comments below.

Read more:

Sony and Eurostar launch Sound Menu so passengers can play music to suit their mood while travelling by train - Surrey Comet

How can I improve my morning routine? originally appeared on Quora - the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world.

Answer by Nela Canovic, writer, productivity hacker, and entrepreneur:

Keep it simple, make it fun, and back it up with a nighttime routine that's easy to follow!

Here are 10 quick and easy tips for starting your day with more energy: 7 to practice in the morning and 3 to practice at night.

First: Tips to practice in the morning.

Tip #1. Make it super simple by waking up just 15 minutes earlier. What? Why should you wake up earlier if you're already having problems waking up as it is? The biggest benefit is to give yourself a little extra buffer of time to adjust to the day. It's not that hard to do. If you usually wake up at 7 a.m., set your morning alarm to 6:45. Keep this schedule for one week. If that works and you're feeling good about it, the following week set your alarm to another 15 minutes earlier, this time for 6:30 a.m. There's a lot you can do in that extra half hour you have, so why not use it?

Tip #2. Customize your alarm to boost energy and focus. Create an alarm that is right for you. Pick a ring tone that's unusual but not irritating, or set your alarm to vibrate mode for a more subtle sound. Make a recording of your own voice saying a positive message, then save it as your alarm tone. Queue up some music that you find uplifting and energizing, and schedule it to play when you need to wake up.

Tip #3. Set a calm tone to the day with meditation. Researchers say that when we meditate early, we sleep better at night. Meditating can also help you deal better with the all those random thoughts that occupy you throughout the day (including anything that stresses you out as soon as you open your eyes) and that may contribute to your feeling rushed and overwhelmed. To get started, download the Headspace app and practice for 10 minutes; it's easy and even fun for absolute beginners.

Tip #4. Prep your workspace. Before starting your day, make sure you have everything ready for the work you'll need to complete. This applies to your computer, books, reference materials (bookmark them in your browser or write notes that you'll have handy on your desk), your daily plan (a checklist of tasks you need to complete), a bottle of water at your desk, an energy snack (a power bar, banana, or a fruit and nut mix).

Tip #5. Do a super short workout. Pick a super short and targeted workout to help your body wake up and prepare for the day ahead. The benefit? You're more likely to keep the habit if it's something more manageable (as opposed to promising yourself you'll hit the gym for two hours in the afternoon, which is harder to do). Here are some ideas for a 10-15 minute wake-up session: a morning yoga routine, a 15 minute bootcamp session, or a set of sun salutation poses.

Tip #6. Eat some brain food. Don't work on an empty stomach. Have a small breakfast that will fill you up, give you energy, and improve your brain's cognitive function. Here are 3 breakfast ideas:

Tip #7. Become the master of your time. When you're ready to start working, use a timer to divide up your work into manageable increments to allow your brain to focus in a more targeted and effective way. Try the Pomodoro technique, which consists of 25-minute blocks of time followed by 5-minute breaks. When you're done with one segment, step away from your desk and give your brain a chance to rest: go outside for a short walk, grab a cup of coffee or tea, have a snack to increase your energy levels.

Next: Tips to practice at night. Tip #8. Set a bedtime alarm on your phone to go off 30 minutes before you need to sleep, which will signal to you that you need to finish up any activities you're working on. Be sure to have a bedtime alarm go off every day of the week, including weekends.

Tip #9. Get away from electronics (such as your computer and TV) in the hour before bedtime. Instead, listen to a podcast on a topic you find interesting, queue up some relaxing music and listen with your eyes closed as you're sitting on the couch, or read a book to stimulate your imagination.

Tip #10. Have a cup of herbal tea (with no caffeine), some warm milk with honey, or a magnesium supplement (either tablet or powder form) around the time your alarm goes off. These warm drinks can help you feel sleepy and more relaxed.

Read the rest here:

10 Smart Ways To Improve Your Morning Routine - HuffPost UK

The Penn State University Libraries will be holding De-Stress Fest during finals week. These finals week activities will take place Sunday through Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will feature activities focused on reducing levels of stress for students working their way through final papers and exams.

Students interested in de-stressing can stop by the Mann Assembly Room and 103 Paterno to take part in the activities, which include coffee, snacks, games, and more. The first-floor lobbies of the Patee and Paterno Libraries will have Wii games, bean-bag toss boards, and puzzles.

HealthWorks will even be hosting a De-Stress Zone fully equipped with relaxing music, stress management books, and more from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. every day.

Branch libraries at University Park will also be partaking in the activities. The Architecture and Landscape Architecture Library will host an origami workshop all day from Tuesday through Thursday. The Fletcher L. Byrom Earth and Mineral Sciences Library, the Engineering Library, and the Physical and Mathematical Sciences Library will be hosting similar events.

You can find an extended schedule for the De-Stress Fest Activities here.

View original post here:

University Libraries Hosting De-Stress Fest During Finals Week ... - Onward State

GRAMPIAN Ever since she was a little girl, Curwensville High School senior and Grampian native Chloe Tubbs has been involved with music.

Most recently, she was awarded first chair in the state for the contra alto clarinet. Tubbs said she won first chair at the local level, which let her move on to Erie from April 20-23.

This is actually my second year for state band, Tubbs said. And last year, I got second chair ... Its a good experience to be (playing) with a bunch of talented people.

Tubbs has been playing the contra alto clarinet for Curwensville for the past three years now. She started out on clarinet but then moved to the contra alto clarinet. Overall for Curwensville, shes been in band since the fourth grade, stating all those years of practice have paid off.

Practicing is the most important part, Tubbs said. If you take the time to do that, you can achieve whatever you want. Dont get down on yourself if youre frustrated with something.

So what does Tubbs enjoy about music the most?

Its relaxing, Tubbs said. It takes time out of my day to do something that I enjoy.

Tubbs enjoys it so much, in fact, that she will be attending IUP in the fall and majoring in music education. One of her influences in deciding on a career path of teaching music is current Curwensville music teacher Cindy Penvose.

Shes so smart and shes so good at what she does, Tubbs said of her teacher. I just want to do the things that she did for me and help other people.

Tubbs couldnt say enough about the Curwensville music program in helping her reach her goals.

Even though we have such a small school, we have such a good music program, Tubbs said. Mrs. Penvose, especially, she cares so much about what she does. And our choral director, Miss (Judy) Bungo, shes really good at what she does and is very passionate. And Mr. (Robert) Pennington, who is our elementary band teacher now, is also our band director. Hes really good at getting kids involved into music at a young age. I think its really important to start at a young age.

Tubbs also said her family is full of musicians.

My family is very music-oriented, Tubbs said. Everyone in my family plays instruments, so its something that I grew up with.

Her family has been playing songs in church together since she was a child, and each of her grandparents were also very musically oriented.

Outside of music, Tubbs is extremely busy. She played soccer for all four years of her high school career and is in her second season on the softball team. She also is part of the schools Drama Club, recently having a lead role in Godspell.

The last couple months have kind of been crazy, Tubbs said of her schedule.

View original post here:

Progressland Person of the Week: Tubbs takes her music to a new level - Clearfield Progress

STEWART ARP

WITH JADE AND THE BOYS, THE THREADS, AND GARRETT RYAN

April 30 7:30 pm The Canopy Club: Red Room $5 at the door

Doors open at 7pm. Must be 18+ to enter.

Stewart Arp is a student here at the University of Illinois who is from Naperville, IL. He specializes in folk and blues music. His live performances consist of covers of popular songs, as well as his own, original work. This will be his first time performing here at the Canopy Club, so make sure to stop by!

JADE AND THE BOYS

Jade Hilton is a singer from Canada, who is based locally here in Champaign, IL. She began her music career at a young age, drawing influence from artists like Freddy Mercury and Avril Lavigne. Teaming up with her hip hop and R&B production team, Jade and the Boys will be taking the stage by storm on April 30!

THE THREADS

The Threads is a rock and roll band from New York City. The band is composed of 5 members, Mick, Andy, Roger, Chris, and Anthony. They draw influence from artists like Walk of Shame, Kid Casanova, and Heap. Their live performances are riveting and energetic, so make sure to come by when they roll through town!

GARRETT RYAN

Garrett Ryan is an artist from West Dundee, IL. His acoustic style and smooth lyrics capture the ears of the audience and takes them on a soothing journey. His music is calming and relaxing, but groovy at the same time. Come see him live on April 30!

Link:

Stewart Arp, Jade and the Boys, The Threads & Garrett Ryan at the Canopy Club - Journal Gazette and Times-Courier

Audio boffins have come up with an altogether more positive way to influencing train passengers emotions than delays or cancellations do.

Sony and Eurostar have teamed up to create the Sound Menu which provides commuters with the perfect selection of music to get them into the right mood for their journeys end.

The innovative system has been devised with senior lecturer in psychology of music at Keele University, Dr Alexandra Lamont, drawing on a studies into music and mood regulation to recommend five playlists that help travellers prepare, relax and focus on route to their destination.

MORE:Top 10 bizarre but real reasons why your trains have been delayed

These playlists include varying styles and tempos of music to evoke different emotions, and are more about musical types rather than specific songs.

They include dance tracks to psych you up as well as relaxing music to celebrate a job well done.

The Sound Menu is optimised for use with Sonys 1000X wireless noise-cancelling headphones.

Matt Coupe, head of sound, UK & Ireland at Sony, said the music helps commuters to cut out the chaos around them.

He said: We know that music, if listened to in the right way, can be a form of escapism or can help focus the mind.

We saw from research many are unable to relax or fully immerse themselves in music.

MORE:See Erasure singalong at Tube station - what surprise moments have made you smile?

Dr Lamont added: Creating an auditory bubble while travelling, such as through the use of noise cancellation technology, can allow passengers to get more from their journey, helps people block out environmental noise and allows them to focus on the moment or the task at hand.

We know that different music creates different moods, and the traveller can immerse themselves in music that suits or changes their mood to make the journey pass more pleasantly.

Being able to eliminate these noises and replacing them entirely with the sound of your choice leads to an all-round more relaxed experience.

MORE: Commuters get a musical surprise at the train station

Neil Roberts, head of digital at Eurostar, said: Were always looking for ways to improve our passengers journeys, and the new Sound Menu created by Sony offers our travellers a way to get more out of their time on board, whether its focusing on work, or relaxing after a busy day.

The Sound Menu follows a study of 2,000 commuters which found more than a quarter can never fully relax on a journey and 23 per cent complain about being unable to switch off ahead of important meetings.

Nearly 40 per cent of travellers blame noise made by other people for causing them stress, while two thirds say music helps them relax.

The playlist are currently only being trialled on Eurostar trains during April but would you want to see, or rather hear, something similar introduced on Southeastern and Southern trains to help improve your mood? What other things would make train journeys more pleasant? Add your comments below.

Here is the original post:

Sony and Eurostar launch Sound Menu so passengers can play ... - Your Local Guardian

It started with a tense, stressed-out dog. The owner of that dog, Daisy, is singer-songwritergnash, best known for the hit, i hate you, i love you. After using medication and consulting with an animal behaviorist, gnash decided to a compose musicto sooth his stressed canine.

Gnashs initial research pointed to reggae as the most calming music for dogs. Digging deeper, he found that certain musical elements, including simpler arrangements and repetitions, provoked soothing responses in dogs.

That sparked a creative project that resulted in a really effective track. Seriously, try this with your anxious, hyper, or unhappy dog.

Crazy, right? Indeed, the effects on actual dogs is pretty remarkable.

Interestingly, gnash was setting out to solve a personal problem with his own dog. But what resulted is a solution that may end up working for millions of dogs. Even the happy ones.

Actually, heres a video that shows the creative process and journey by gnash.

Of course, Gnashs song for daisy has been doing the trick for Daisy. But its also being heavily used for byNo-Kill Los Angeles, a non-kill shelter.

The connection with No-Kill comes from Daisy herself, who is also a rescue. And like many rescues, Daisy exhibits signs of previous stress. We want to ensure that dogs, when they are awaiting adoption, have as good an experience as they can, said Professor Neil Evans, Professor of Integrative Physiology at Glasgows Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health and Comparative Medicine.

Most people adopting from a shelter want a dog that is relaxed and interacts positively. Music can help dogs become less stressed and show their true personality.

Evans also pointed to reggae as a relaxing favorite for dogs. But thats not all. The biggest effects come from soft rock and reggae, Evans noted. Motown, pop and classical music produce lesser effects.

Gnashs release could broaden awareness forthe field of psycho-acoustic therapy for animals. Indeed, music therapy is a powerful and calming force, for dogs and humans alike. It was a powerful experience to watch an entire room full of dogs, and my own rescue dog Daisy, react to this song, said gnash. It was incredible to be able to create music that transcends human emotion and has the ability to connect with these animals on a deeper level.

Accordingly, the next move is to spread this to other rescue shelters. I hope this video and song helps other rescue pet owners comfort their furry friends the same way it did mine.

Calming music for dogs

Continued here:

The Most Calming Music for Dogs Ever Created - Digital Music News

When your circadian rhythm is out of whack, your work life can get off kilter as well. It is almost impossible to have a high-performance work day, every day, when you are sleep deprived and your 24-hour cycle is chaotic. One of the best things you can do for your clarity of thought, creativity in problem-solving and calm in the face of business storms, is to sleep adequately and regulate your daily patterns.

Here are four steps to creating regularity and ensuring a high-performance work day:

First, you need about 7.5 hours of sleep every night. Research is clear that people are healthiest and perform at their best both physically and mentally when they get 5 complete sleep cycles in each night. Sleep cycles take about 90 minutes hence the need for 7.5 hours.

If youre trying to hit a deadline or you have a big project that demands extra hours for a short period of time try to get 3 complete sleep cycles or 4.5 hours. That is theamount of sleep you need for your brain to recover, regenerate and consolidate learning from the day.

After you commit to getting adequate sleep, set up a great daily rhythm that both delivers energy and protects that precious sleep time. Capitalize on the fact that we are naturally designed to repeat daily patterns. Setting up great patterns at the beginning and end of the day helps you feel better and work smarter during all the parts in between.

Your body loves consistency. Going to sleep and waking up at the same time every day is good for your brain and body. Consistent times allow your hormones and other chemicals that your organs release to get into a rhythm. If you change that pattern, it takes time for your body to adapt. That is what happens when you fly across time zones and get jet-lagged. Changing your sleep-and-wake pattern changes your bodys circadian rhythms and gives you micro jet lags every day. You feel groggy, your performance drops and your health suffers.

Some of the best performers in business consistently wake up early. Waking up early lets you get a head-start on the day. You wont be bothered by emails or messages. The world is quiet. There is less traffic if youre going to the gym. You can run on empty roads. You can read a book in peace. You can meditate or do yoga. Just get out of bed. Win the battle of the bed!

That is one way to boost your daily performance is to get up a bit earlier than usual. You can then get the important things done for yourself that make you better. And nothing will get in your way. Build your morning routine so that you get up early and do the most important things for you first thing. I recommend that you dont work during this period. This is a time to refill your personal bucket. When you feel full of lifes satisfactions, you have more to give to the business you need to sustain.

So, set up your mornings to do good things for yourself and start the day with the energy you get from honoring your passions.

Once your morning pattern is established, defend the last hour of your day so that you can fall asleep quickly and deeply. Having a routine that allows you to decompress and relax can make a huge difference in your sleep quality. Many of my clients who have trouble sleeping have had stressful days and are also working late into the evenings, right up until they collapse into bed.

Find a calming activity that you love and do it before bed. Ideally, stay away from screens (TV, computer, smart phone the brightness stimulates your brain to stay awake) and from any to-do items that require a lot of mental energy. Read a novel, take a bath, listen to relaxing music. whatever peaceful activities help you wind down.

Protect your time. You will enjoy that hour immensely and benefit from a regular circadian rhythm.

Greg Wells is a scientist, professor and author. He is an expert on human performance in extreme conditions.

See original here:

How to Wake Up Early Without Sacrificing Your Sleep - Entrepreneur

SUNDAY night in the suburbs, I groan, as I walk up the stairs, round the corner and into a restaurant thats completely and utterly not-even-any-tumbleweed-in-there empty. Darn, and I booked, too.

Theres something cringey about booking when theres absolutely no need. As though the staff do that Simpsons laugh ha,ha when they put the phone down.

At the Indian On Skirving Street tonight Im shown to a table, any table, of course, and then because of a schoolboy reviewer error Im immediately abandoned.

I booked for four, you see, but I arrive alone. Genius. Never do that. Ever.

Restaurants havent a clue what to do with people who are waiting for other people so they ignore them. No food order is taken, no drink order even. Meanwhile, the family are dopily trundling around out there. Avoiding texts. Blanking calls. As usual. And Im in restaurant limbo-land listening to Enya or Clannad or trance yoga music on bloody infinite loop, gazing at brick walls, and wooden floors, wondering what this place was before.

A Mexican? Wasnt it once called Eddie Spaghetti? And there are even actual blobs of curry on the menu too. What? Can it get any worse? Yes, it can.

You wont believe this one. A table of seven people have just walked in, all bright and bubbly and enthusiastic. To be fussed over and pampered and no doubt to immediately wake the chef and fill that kitchen through there with their long and complex food orders meaning that even when my lot bother to turn up well still have to wait. And wait. Enough.

Fast forward. Ten minutes into the future. I just panic ordered the whole right hand side of the menu. Its statistically better food. To get ahead of the seven-seater in the kitchen queue, obviously.

The family have finally turned up. Walking in and sitting down, at exactly, precisely, you couldnt make this up, the same moment as the food arrives.

Ooh, this is nice my wife says, gazing around, I love that relaxing music, too. Freshly made poppadoms, where do you ever see that? And this paratha is fabulous, its just been buttered too, and what have they put into the rice, it's so rich?

I kid you not, this is the way the chat goes. No, they say, of course our phones werent off. We were chatting. I could, of course, sit in a fug of middle-aged man huff here.

But actually? Check out this grated cauliflower and peppers, pan fried with Punjabi spices. The shredded salmon, wafts of coriander, cumin and fenugreek, tiny nuggets of salmon, cool soothing peas. Armritsari fish, crisply battered with punchy spices. Aubergine and potato, yet another Punjabi dish where the waft of the just toasted spices sets the appetite racing.

OK, there are points in this meal where we have not got a scooby what we are eating.

Are those the malai kofta or spiced vegetable dumplings in a spiced tomato sauce with cream and yoghurt? More of a texture than a taste, I think.

Is that khoree pakora a must for the table a rare dish made with fenugreek and sharp, tangy yoghurt based sauce? Bit too saucey for me.

If you are not careful, like I wasnt, you can end up with quite a lot of creamy dishes.

Occasionally I think some things could do with a touch of salt, but this is a small plate meal, lots and lots of little dishes filling the table, keeping things interesting.

Many dishes like the aubergine and potato, the cauliflower, are just 4, the fish dishes slide in at 5, you have to flip the menu over to find anything approaching 6 and those are full curries.

The service is fine, too, helpful when we are stuck over what exactly everything is.

Its surprising that the The Indian is so quiet tonight because it is different, interesting and very good value.

I suspect it wont be quiet for long.

Menu: Different, interesting. Lots of Punjabi dishes including kharee pakora, grated cauliflower with peppers 5/5

Service: Thrown by the lone diner waiting for others to arrive on a quiet night, but then relaxed and pleasant. 3/5

Atmosphere: Pleasant bare brick, wooden floors loft feel with lots of that relaxing yoga music. 4/5

Price: Small plates start at around 4 and rarely top 5 overall pretty good value. 4/5

Food: An Indian with a different and authentic twist, packed with Punjabi favourites. 7/10

Total 23/30

The Indian On Skirving Street

5 Skirving St

Glasgow

0141 649 7779

Read the original here:

Ron Mackenna reviews The Indian On Skirving Street, Glasgow - Herald Scotland