There’s no denying that the past year has been a stressful one, and with ongoing lockdowns, home-schooling and working from home to contend with, you could be forgiven if you haven’t found much time for yourself. But, with self care now more important than ever if you want to live a full and happy life, it’s now even more vital to take some time out for yourself.
From a long, hot bath to meditation, there are numerous different ways in which you can restore a sense of calm into your life in just half an hour. And if you haven’t popped on some of your favourite music lately for a dance around your house, then it might just be time to do so – because according to a 2020 report from the Global Council on Brain Health (GCBH), a working group of scientists, healthcare experts and other experts, listening to your favourite tunes can have an impressive impact on your emotional wellbeing.
Highlighting music’s ability to improve mood, reduce anxiety and make stress feel more manageable, the impact of sound is a powerful one. Songs that remind you of happy memories, in particular, are a great choice when you need a lift. According to research, music can have a positive impact on brain chemicals such as dopamine – which is linked to feelings of pleasure – and oxytocin, otherwise known as ‘the love hormone’. Add to that its ability to lower cortisol levels in the brain, and it’s a pretty solid case for putting some awesome music on now.
Online luxury lifestyle store Burton Blake, which is an official stockist of leading audio brand, Bang and Olufsen, has seen an increase in those seeking out ways in which to elevate their music listening experiences since the pandemic began. Products including the Bang and Olufsen A1 2nd Generation Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker have seen a surge in popularity as people seek to get their fix where they can. With today’s fast-paced lifestyle, that often means in the shower or the bath – the only time that for many, it’s possible to get a moment’s peace.
Wireless earphones and headphones, it seems, are also enjoying increased popularity, with people desperate to find a way to tune out the noise of children and families around them while trying to concentrate on work at home, or who want to take their favourite music with them on their daily countryside walk – the perfect way to restore some calm.
If you’re looking for a way to elevate your own musical experience, then as a leading Bang and Olufsen stockist, Burton Blake is the perfect place to source some of the best wireless Bluetooth speakers, wireless headphones and in-ear earphones by the brand. Here, they share their top product picks for enjoying an immersive, relaxing and uplifting listening session that is guaranteed to boost your wellbeing.
Bang and Olufsen Beosound 1 Portable Smart Speaker (Aluminium) – £1,250, Burton Blake
If you’re looking for a smart and sophisticated portable Wi-Fi speaker to see you through every eventuality, then the Beosound 1 Portable Smart Speaker offers stellar and unmatchable sound performance, and looks the part, too. Thanks to Bang and Olufsen’s acoustic lens technology and a smart, conical speaker, it allows you to enjoy the full 360-degree sound experience and offers up to 12 hours of play time per charge.
With built-in Google Assistant, Chromecast, Airplay 2 and Bluetooth, it’s the only speaker you’ll ever need, allowing you to effortlessly stream from your tablet or smartphone from anywhere.
Bang and Olufsen Beosound A1 2nd Generation Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker – £200, Burton Blake
If you’re in pursuit of superior sound quality, then look no further. This second generation Beosound offering is powerful, portable and perfect for use in the shower, bath, and just about anywhere else. Such is the sound quality that it makes for the perfect partner for parties and gatherings in mid-sized rooms, too – so when socialising is finally safe and back on the agenda, this stylish speaker has got you covered. Featuring Bang and Olufsen Signature Sound with adaptive Bluetooth and Farfield technology, it’s also a great conversation tool for those online Zoom meetings we’ve all come to rely on, as well as for hands-free calls.
Bang and Olufsen Beoplay E8 3rd Generation Wireless In-Ear Earphones – £300, Burton Blake
These stylish, yet discrete, wireless in-ear earphones have been tuned by acclaimed Bang and Olufsen sound engineers to ensure the utmost in sound quality, featuring a new transparency mode which allows you to tune back into the world around you with ease at just a moment’s notice by tapping an earpiece. Linking seamlessly to the Bang and Olufsen sound app, the earphones come complete with a sophisticated leather charging case so that you can charge your Beoplay E8s on the go from anywhere – although, with an impressive 35 hours of play time, you might not even have to.
These earphones feature the latest technological innovations from Qualcomm and Bluetooth 5.1, offering a fast and flawless musical and sound experience. This latest model also offers double the number of microphones for improved call quality and a compact shape and size to fit all ears.
