Vol 2.22
Magic on wheels, lyrical Xanax, and a study critiquing the most damaging study done to women's health.
The Sober Glow Studio is an extension of what was started on social media circa 2016. As I have evolved, the topics I cover have naturally evolved. Here, I provide stories, recommendations, and resources on the art of living an alcohol-free lifestyle, navigating midlife, and anything that simply feels good. You can upgrade and purchase a gift subscription here or simply share.
1 Venice-Simplon-Orient-Express, A Belmond Train.
They refer to it as the world’s most luxurious train. I look at it and see whimsy, magic, and a whole lotta romance. It’s wild the things we are attracted to. I’ve never been a sucker for a fancy hotel, but put that fancy on some train tracks, and I am all in. As I was making plans for our upcoming trip to Paris, I came across this beauty and was intrigued, especially since I had just posted about this tiny box of magic. Maybe I have a thing for trains or dioramas, or I just romance the sh*t out of travel in every single way. There is something so mysterious to me about trains. When I was 21, I was ending a job on the East Coast, and instead of taking the typical flight, I opted to take the train. I hadn’t explored much in the middle of the country and thought seeing it through the train windows would be a lovely way to see it. It didn’t register that I purchased a ticket on a night train in December, so most of my trip would be in the dark. It was a rookie move, but I still give young Mia credit for creativity. I also wasn’t expecting to be sitting next to a gentleman who went into diabetic shock and had to be taken off the train in the middle of the night. That was not on my romance itinerary. But again, at age 21, I was looking for adventure and not anything that could be coined “perfect.”
I imagine the Belmond train is about as perfect as you can get to the magic of an overnight train ride. From the original decor to the fancy dining cars and even the live band playing till the wee hours. All while watching some of our world’s most stunning landscapes slip by through the endless rectangle glass windows. The words opulent, astonishing, meticulous, and the golden age of travel are all used to describe what any lucky passenger will be greeted with once stepping aboard and into this world.
Other options if you are not keen on dropping rent for one night.
The Trans-Siberian Express - this has been on my list since I learned of it as a child. Or hit up all the Christmas markets in central Europe!
Coast Starlight Train (not nearly as fancy, but very doable)
2 “World’s Most Relaxing Song May Reduce Anxiety by 65%.”
Marconi Union -Weightless.
I hope that you are listening now as you read through this column. When Huberman posted about this the other day, I immediately opened it up to listen for myself. And yes, it sounds beautiful, but what I noticed most was that I could feel the sound. It felt like a frequency that was penetrating my skin and bones. Do you feel it too? It was quite lovely.
According to Dr. David Lewis-Hodgson of Mindlab International, which conducted the research, the top song produced a greater state of relaxation than any other music tested to date.
In fact, listening to that one song -- "Weightless" -- resulted in a striking 65 percent reduction in participants' overall anxiety, and a 35 percent reduction in their usual physiological resting rates. - Inc.com
The study also states that this music is so soothing that it can induce sleep, and so it advises not to listen while driving. That’s how relaxing it is.
Maybe we should have this playing over the intercom systems throughout hospitals, schools, and offices.
While traveling, I found PINK noise to also be comforting when falling asleep. The only downfall to this ten-hour playlist is that some songs are much louder than others, and I found I was being disturbed by the change. However, you may find something that works for you here.
42 minutes of the song Weightless to add to your Spotify favorites for an evening wind down.
3 'Tis but a scratch: a critical review of the Women's Health Initiative evidence associating menopausal hormone therapy with the risk of breast cancer.
Oh my. If you have been around here for a bit of time, you know I have written about the WHI several times. I mean, anyone who starts exploring aging and hormones will eventually come across this study one way or another.