Soothing melodies lull you to sleep. Hard-driving beats make workouts more intense. Listen to a song you loved in the past, and instantly you’re in that time and place again. Music affects how we feel, think and behave. And in all its many forms, music is a powerful healer too. Here are five of the many healing benefits of music.

1. Music Relieves Pain

Listening to music of any kind can reduce your perception of pain so that you feel painful sensations less intensely. Researchers found that when people who had undergone surgery or who have chronic pain conditions listened to music, they reported feeling less pain — even without taking pain medications.

2. Music Reduces Anxiety

Though the mechanisms aren’t precisely known, music relaxes the central nervous system, which is responsible for sending all those signals that make your heart race and your brow sweaty when you’re nervous. Classical music and gentle, New Age instrumentals top the list of musical selections for relaxation, but other kinds of music with a slow tempo and soft tones can ease anxiety too.

3. Music Makes Your Brain Work Better

People who listen to music or — even better — make music in any way tend to be better at complex tasks and retaining information than people who don’t. Because music encourages the brain to create new pathways, it may also help protect against Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia later in life.

4. Music Helps You Heal Faster

Listening to music can actually stimulate the body’s immune system and healing responses, which can shorten healing time after an injury or other health crisis. Music is being used to help cancer patients cope with the effects of chemotherapy and to support the recovery of stroke victims.

5. Music Motivates You to Action

Listening to music with lyrics about positive change makes people more willing to help others and think optimistically. Music also rallies people around causes and encourages them to persevere when things get tough.

Listening to music is the easiest way to reap its many benefits. But making music has healthy outcomes, too. Learning to play an instrument stimulates the brain and improves coordination and balance. Singing or humming creates vibrations in the diaphragm that can calm the nervous system, and dancing of any kind energises the whole body and encourages good balance and social connections.

Music is all around us — and within us, too. Whether you’re humming a tune or turning on the radio, its healing powers are always close at hand.

Whilst Dorco doesn’t endorse heavy drinking, some occasions make a hangover – and the sore head that comes with it – inevitable. Whether you’re getting for Christmas festivities or an office party, taking some steps to protect your skin from the ravages of a hangover will help you to look your best — even if you don’t feel that way.

You might start your celebrations looking like a male model, but all too often you wake up the next morning looking like an extra from a horror movie. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Apart from giving up alcohol forever, there are some relatively simple hangover skincare tips you can follow that will keep you looking fresh and presentable when you’re feeling a little worse for wear.

Drink lots of water

Yes, it’s that simple. Drinking water doesn’t just fight the hangover headache that costs so many people a day at work, it also fights skin dehydration before it can do any significant damage. Add a pinch of salt to your water, or drink coconut water to give your body the energy-boosting electrolytes it needs.

Exfoliate

As soon as you’re dry after your refreshing shower, take the opportunity to exfoliate using a scrub or dry brush. This will aid blood circulation, remove dead skin and give your overall complexion a rosy glow. And let’s face it, your skin will need all the colour it can get after a few too many drinks the night before.

Take preventative action

If you’re in a fit state to do so after a night of alcohol-fuelled fun, moisturise BEFORE you go to bed. Choose a moisturiser that is packed with antioxidants, as they will start repairing the damage to your skin while you sleep. Getting a headstart on your hangover-induced skin problems before you fall asleep may reduce the amount of work needed in the morning.

Hide the bags under your eyes

Few things tell people you have a hangover like your eyes do. Bloodshot eyeballs and dark, puffy circles are telltale signs of a heavy night of drinking, so it’s always a good idea to give them some attention as quickly as possible.

Start the skin rejuvenation process by getting to work on the dark circles that are making you look like a racoon. There are some very good eye creams on the market — many of which have been specifically formulated to deal with dark rings and puffiness around the eyes. These creams work by diffusing light to disguise dark shadows more effectively.

Moisturise

Once your skin is clean and refreshed, it’s time to give it a direct helping hand to rehydrate. Alcohol has a tendency to strip away moisture from the skin, which can leave it looking dull, dry and tired. Indeed, people with long-term drinking problems can develop serious skin problems because of excessive alcohol consumption. Decisive action is therefore essential.

Drinking lots of water is a great way to start the rehydration process, but faster and more effective results can be achieved with the application of a moisturiser. And the good news is that there are several creams and lotions out there which are formulated specifically for rehydrating skin after drinking alcohol.

Add some colour

If all your efforts to breathe new life into your alcohol-ravaged skin have failed, it might be time for some cosmetic intervention. And there’s no need to feel self-conscious about applying colour to your skin, as there are some very popular products on the market specifically for men, including tanning creams, concealers and foundation. Search for the products that offer hydrating properties, as these will deal with the root cause of your dull skin as well as masking it.

There’s little in life more satisfying than growing your own fresh fruits, veggies and herbs. So why not enjoy them in exciting and interesting ways? Here are five flavour-packed cocktails you can make with items straight from your garden.

2. Jalapeno cucumber margarita

Just the right balance of spicy pepper with cool cucumber, this zesty margarita is packed with fresh fruit juice and veggies—so much that it could almost be a side item on its own.

• 2 parts tequila
• 1 part fresh lime juice
• 1 part fresh orange juice
• 1/2 part simple syrup
• 1 slice jalapeno
• 3 slices cucumber
• 1 lime wedge
• kosher salt

Mix tequila, lime, orange, simple syrup, jalapeno and two cucumber slices. Infuse for approximately one hour. Serve on the rocks in a salt-rimmed glass with a lime and cucumber garnish.

3. Blueberry mint vodka lemonade

A fruity, fresh take on a summertime favorite, this lemonade packs a punch. If you’re trying to impress, consider topping this cocktail with a champagne float for added pizzazz.

• 2 parts blueberry vodka
• 2 parts fresh lemonade
• 5-10 blueberries
• 3 mint leaves
• 1 lemon slice

Muddle berries and mint. Add vodka and lemonade. Stir, strain and serve on the rocks with a lemon garnish in a champagne flute.

4. Lemon rosemary bourbon sour

For bourbon lovers in need of something fresher than a traditional Old Fashioned, try this citrus and herb-infused sour. Keep any remaining rosemary simple syrup ready for other fun cocktails later in the week.

• 2 parts bourbon
• 1 part lemon juice
• 1 part rosemary simple syrup
• 1 rosemary sprig

For rosemary simple syrup, bring equal parts water and sugar to a boil with three sprigs of rosemary. For cocktail, mix liquid ingredients and serve on the rocks. Garnish with a rosemary sprig.

5. Watermelon champagne

This perfectly simple sparkler is ideal for a party. With only two ingredients and two optional garnishes, you’ll be able to stay focused on your guests, not playing bartender.

• 1 watermelon, freshly pureed
• 1 bottle sparkling wine or champagne
• 1 basil or mint leave
• 1 lime wedge

Fill a champagne flute half full with watermelon puree. Top with sparkling wine or champagne. Garnish with mint or basil leaves and lime wedge.

Working out is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle – but it sometimes has a tendency to wreak havoc on sensitive skin. Profuse and prolonged perspiration can take its toll, which is why it’s important to be prepared with some effective pre and post workout skin care treatments.

Before your workout

While the most important skin care routines take place AFTER a workout, it’s probably a good idea to wash your face if you use a male concealer or any form of make-up. But if you’re going to be exercising in direct sunlight, don’t forget to apply some sunscreen.

If you’re planning on working up a heavy sweat, your skin will lose much of its moisture through evaporation — which can lead to the dryness that accelerates the aging process. Apply a light moisturiser just before you exercise, and choose a moisturising sunscreen if you’re going to be outdoors.

During your workout

The skin is generally very good at looking after itself, so you won’t need to apply anything to it during your workout. However, try to avoid touching your face if you’re in the gym, as the equipment can be covered in bacteria – much of which has the potential to cause breakouts. Lifting weights regularly can lead to calluses and sores on your hands, so always wear a pair of dedicated gym gloves.

If you’re prone to acne, wearing a headband or cap to keep the sweat from your forehead running onto your face may actually do more harm than good. Headwear can cause a backup of oil and perspiration, which can lead to breakouts.

After your workout

It is important to rehydrate as quickly as possible after a workout. To speed up the process, drink lots of electrolyte-replacing fluids, which help the body to absorb water more quickly. But the most effective treatments for your skin after exercise involve direct care.

The first thing you should do after your workout is wash with a mild cleanser, as this will remove any sweat, oil and toxins from the surface of your skin. Keep the water in your bath or shower lukewarm, as hot water may strip your skin of essential oil and moisture.

Once you’ve thoroughly washed with your chosen cleanser, use an alcohol-free toner to wipe your skin, and then moisturise immediately. It’s important to use a moisturiser that is made for your skin-type, otherwise it won’t have the desired effect – and could actually make things worse.

It’s probably best not to shave immediately after a heavy workout. However, if you do, make sure you use a quality shaving foam that includes a moisturising agent.

Top Tip: If you’re prone to areas of red, blotchy skin after working out, choose a moisturiser or skin serum that contains natural soothing agents such as chamomile, bisabolol and white tea.

Don’t forget to look after your feet

Too many people neglect their feet after a rigorous workout, but doing so can lead to a nasty bout of athlete’s foot. Make sure you thoroughly wash your feet with a cleanser after workouts. And it’s always a good idea to let them breathe for 30 minutes before you put socks and shoes on. If you don’t have time, change into some light shoes or sandals after applying some anti-fungal foot powder.

As long as you keep it as clean and hydrated as possible after exercise, your skin shouldn’t experience too many post-workout problems.

When you’re short on time but big on nutrition, you need healthy recipes that can be made in a flash.

Here are four super-easy meals you can prep in just minutes. They’re all low calorie and low effort but high in taste and nutrition — plus extra bonus points for ingredients that give men great-looking skin and hair!

1. Roasted Salmon and Brown Rice With Spinach

Fortify your body with this easy recipe. Salmon is tasty and requires very little cooking time. The brown rice gives you healthy starch for energy.

Ingredients:

• 150 gram salmon fillet
• Handful of sesame seeds
• Dash of lemon juice
• 1 cup brown rice
• 2 cups spinach
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon butter

Instructions:

1. Cook the brown rice according to package directions.
2. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat.
3. Drizzle the salmon with lemon juice, dip one side into a bowl of sesame seeds, then place it directly into the hot skillet sesame-side down. Cook for approximately four minutes, and then flip to cook for an additional minute.
4. Melt butter in another pan. Add garlic and spinach, cooking just until spinach wilts.
5. Plate and enjoy.

You can find more recipes using salmon,brown rice and spinach here and a recipe for sesame grilled salmon if you have a little bit more time to marinate your salmon.

2. Green Curry Chicken and Quinoa

Green curry is one of the most delicious yet easiest recipes ever. If you can’t get to a local spice store, instant green curry paste is good enough. Pair it with healthy coconut milk (as opposed to thick cream). Go for skinless chicken fillets or chunks, and mix things up by eating the curry with quinoa instead of rice. Quinoa makes a healthy alternative to rice and soaks up the coconut curry very well.

Coconuts have essential vitamins C, E, B1, B3, B5 and B6, plus coconut milk is ideal for men who may be lactose intolerant.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons green curry paste
• 2 cloves chopped garlic
• 1 can coconut milk
• 2 chicken breasts
• Handful of basil
• 1 fresh lime
• Fish sauce to taste
• Cooked quinoa

Instructions:

1. Empty the can of coconut milk into a wok and bring to a simmer.
2. Add garlic, stirring until fragrant.
3. Add chicken chunks, and cook for 20 minutes.
4. Add lime juice and a dash of fish sauce.
5. Serve over cooked quinoa and top with torn fresh basil leaves.

If you don’t mind spending more time in the kitchen, you might find this recipe interesting.

3. Muscle-Building Steakhouse Salad

Before you turn your nose up at salad, rethink what you’ll toss into the bowl. It could turn out to be a delicious, power-packed meal you hadn’t imagined before. When you add beef to a salad, you get the benefits of iron and zinc, which can combat depression. Sprinkled with pomegranate seeds, you’ll have an extra boost of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory goodness.

Ingredients:

• 150 grams sirloin steak
• Salt and pepper
• Rocket leaves
• Cherry tomatoes, sliced
• 1 avocado
• Roasted nuts, such as almonds
• Roasted seeds, such as sesame or pumpkin
• Equal amounts of lime juice, honey and olive oil for dressing

Instructions:

1. After seasoning with salt and pepper, grill the steak the way you like it.
2. Slice the steak thin, and then place on a bed of the rocket and cherry tomatoes.
3. Slice the avocado for garnish, and serve the salad sprinkled with the seeds and nuts.
4. Whisk together dressing ingredients, and drizzle over salad.
5. Salt and pepper to taste.

You can find more muscle building salad recipes here.

4. Grab-and-Go Muesli

( photo : Flaffy/Shutterstock.com )

When you need to get out of the kitchen fast, there’s nothing better than ready-made meals. A healthy cereal that combines oats, nuts, and fruit can give you instant energy and power when you’re feeling low.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of frozen berries or red currants
• 1 cup plain low-fat yoghurt
• Honey
• 1 cup whole-grain granola or protein bar

Instructions:

1. Fill a cup with berries.
2. Fill the cup of berries with the yoghurt.
3. Crumble the granola or protein bar over the top.
4. Sweeten with honey.

We all have it – some more than others, of course. Hair is one of the many genetic legacies that we all share. Exactly why we have it is a subject scientists can’t fully agree on. But what we do know is exactly what it’s made from.

A strand of hair is a little like a daffodil – it grows from a permanently planted bulb. Located in the hair follicle, hair bulbs take nutrients from blood vessels in order to build hair shafts. In simple terms, hair is made from a protein called keratin, and it is held in place next to the surface of the skin by follicles.

Genetics dictate the colour of hair, how fast it grows and, of course, whether it grows at all. But how healthy our hair is depends on a range of factors.

Hair responds to a healthy lifestyle just like your heart and liver do. All it needs is a little tender, loving care. And you can give your hair exactly what it needs by following a few relatively simple tips.

1. Maintain a healthy lifestyle

Your hair needs continual nourishment to truly be healthy. While certain shampoos and hair treatments can make your hair look fantastic, such substances only improve the appearance and texture of your hair – and not what lies beneath.

As hair is basically protein, it’s important to eat lots of protein-rich food. Meat and dairy foods are perfect. If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, however, you’ll find lots of protein in soya. To keep your hair naturally soft, you need to give it a regular supply of biotin, which is a type of B vitamin. You’ll find lots of this in eggs, spinach and brown rice. And to keep your scalp healthy, it’s important to consume foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, including salmon, trout and nuts.

2. Don’t shampoo too often

Exactly what constitutes too often changes from person to person. However, a lot of professional hairstylists recommends that hair should not be washed every day.  Technically, it is not necessary to shampoo the hair daily unless sebum production is high according to the article by  Dr. Zoe D Draelos, Department of Dermatology, Duke University School of Medicine. Washing daily strips your hair of its natural oils, and it can also lead to a dry scalp.

To protect your hair from damage, look for shampoos that are low in sulphates. However if you use gel, hairspray or other hair care products, use clarifying shampoo or deep cleansing shampoo to remove the build up once or twice a month. Everyday shampoos are not good at removing the polymer film created by hair care products designed to keep the hair in place.

3. Don’t Skip Conditioner

Conditioning keeps hair soft and strong.  For men with curly hair, conditioning daily prevents the ‘just-out-of-bed’ look men hate so much. However, it’s vitally important that you rinse all of the conditioner out of your hair before it dries. Residue from most hair conditioners can cause your hair to appear dull and greasy when dry. Another common mistake guys make is lathering up the scalp. Start half an inch from the scalp and apply to the ends.

4. Brush your hair every day

Regular brushing is very good for your scalp since it improves circulation but brushing too hard and vociferously can damage it. Starting from the bottom, brush your hair carefully but firmly, and gradually make your way up. Don’t pull or tug at knots and tangles, as this may break off large clumps. Remember not to brush your hair while it’s wet, since this leads to damage as well.

What’s the secret to a great day? A great morning workout!

Wake up your mind, get centered, and get fit. The morning sets the tone for the rest of your day. When you feed your body a healthy dose of energy first thing in the morning, it’ll work well for you the whole day long.

Even if you only have a small space to exercise at home, fitness can be realized and prioritised.

1. HIIT Workouts

Tabata and the popular “Insanity” series qualify as high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts. They are designed to be as short as possible — yet as intense and as powerful as you make them.

Often, coaches will tell you to “beat your own personal best,” which means giving a little — or a lot — more to the workout with each rep.

2. Functional Fitness

It doesn’t just make you look good; it improves other parts of your life too. Functional fitness helps us perform better throughout the rest of our day. These exercises mimic activities we already do every day, such as squatting, and are intended to improve balance, coordination or endurance. All these things benefit us by making it easier to complete tasks throughout the rest of the day. Amy Dixon, a fitness instructor at Equinox, says you can use loaded movement training, such as holding a sandbag, to gain strength plus coordination.

3. Kettlebells

The cast iron weights look like cannonballs, and kettlebell addicts will say they’re nearly as powerful. What makes kettlebells such a great workout tool is that they give your entire body cardio plus strength training in a matter of minutes.

Once you get down the basic moves, the possibilities for moving the weight easily are endless. Used in the past by Russian gymnasts, kettlebells get you targeting your core in order to move your whole body in sync. It wakes you up in an instant.

4. Jump Rope

This one’s an oldie but a goodlie. The Compendium of Physical Studies states that jumping rope for 10 minutes burns as many calories as jogging at an eight-minute-per-mile pace.

This one basic piece of equipment can get you going so good you’ll burn up to three times the calories of normal workouts. That’s why you’ll often see boxers training with jump ropes; they need the endurance, and this is one of the best ways to get it.

But there’s even more great reasons to jump rope — it’s portable, cheap and doesn’t take too much coordination to master, just a will to keep jumping.

5. Explosive Workouts

Explosive exercises are those that use your body weight and get both feet off the ground at the same time — a great way to amp up your metabolism.

Burpees are still on trend because of the overall boost they give a person — especially in the morning. Try lunges or jump squats, which can be done in relatively small spaces.

6. Don’t Forget to Breathe and Stretch

One final word: No workout is complete if you’re short of breath and feeling tight in all the wrong places!

Remember to do some stretches after each workout, and get your heart back to its usual flow by doing some easy breathing routines or even martial arts stances and yoga poses. These are intended to condition and strengthen your body, even after your exercise routine is over.

(image= Pau.Artigas )

We all know that the body performs certain functions on its own that help us to stay healthy, grow and thrive. The body can repair itself, and needs the basics like food, water, exercise and fresh air to stay in top shape. But what about the more mysterious, crazy or
unusual
things that the body is capable of?

Of course there are thousands of fascinating facts, but we’ve rounded up just eight that every man should know. Memorize this list next time you need to impress a friend or two.

1. Your Individual Fingerprints Can Improve Your Sense of Touch

The tiny ridges on the pads of your fingertips are there for a reason: they can help you to hold wet things with better grip and allow our skin to stretch more easily, which protect it from damage and help prevent blisters. Researchers found that one of the reasons our hands are formed this way is to give us a better sense of touch; Fingerprints help improve our ability to feel texture and they make our sense of touch more sensitive.

2. There Are Muscles Wrapped Around Your Testes

Have you ever wondered why the area below your lower knee cap involuntarily jerks up when you hit it? That’s because of cremaster muscles, which also control reflexes. The National Cancer Institute says they are the same muscles responsible for activating the body when sexually aroused.

3. It’s Possible for Your Feet to Grow Bigger with Age

If you spend a lot of time doing sports, or on your feet, your tendons and ligaments are subject to wear and tear. Sometimes, your arches can flatten. You may notice your feet getting longer or wider. If you have excess weight, this is a good reason to keep your diet in check: Medical conditions can cause swelling in your feet, which, when weighted down by your body, becomes quite uncomfortable.

4. You Can Eat for Better-Quality Semen

A study by the Journal of Human Reproduction conducted in 2012 found that men who ate greater amounts of healthy fish fat, which is rich in omega 3, had better quality semen than those who did not. This is a great reason to eat out at a sushi bar now, isn’t it?

5. Men’s Bodies Can Produce Milk

You probably didn’t know you have mammary glands, too! While you may not be able to produce enough milk content to feed and sustain a child, explains Mark Leyner and Billy Goldberg in their book “Why Do Men Have Nipples?”, changes in your hormones or even certain medications can cause your breasts to make milk.

6. You Have the Same Number of Hairs on Your Body as a Chimpanzee

Our body hair isn’t as visible as our furrier friends, just because the individual strands are finer. But there’s still a substantial amount on our body. Losing our thick hair generations ago may have had some evolutionary reasons, but no one knows for sure why.

7. Male Foetuses Can Get It Up

Okay, this one is a little strange, and no one knows why. But the Journal of Ultrasound Medicine showed proof of 16-week-old foetuses still in their mothers’ wombs being able to have tiny protuberances. Throughout the pregnancy, they continue to fall and rise. No one has figured out the point of this, but one thing is for sure: the male body is both amazing and extremely peculiar!

8. There’s a Good Scientific Reason Why Your Testicles Hang Low

Every body part is as it is for a reason. Your testes hang below your body because of the cool temperature they can access down there. And this is, in fact, the perfect body temperature for producing healthy, lively and strong sperm.

Enjoyed reading these facts or know someone who should know about them? Share this post and come back for more fun facts, tips and ideas for keeping in top shape and grooming well.