Considering the economic downturns around the world, unemployment rates, poverty, hunger, corporate and government corruption, and violent and senseless crimes, it's no wonder many find themselves reaching for a prescription to ease their woes. Prescriptions, however, come with their own set of issues such as a dozen side effects and the risk of addiction. There is one prescription whose only side effect is an improved mental, and physical state; music. I've been reading a lot of studies written about the effects music has on the brain and the body, and these studies have found some amazing things.
I wrote briefly in a previous post about how music increases intelligence, i.e. reading and literacy skills, spatial-temporal reasoning, mathematical abilities, emotional intelligence, and it even improves memory and concentration. (Musicians really should be the smartest people on earth). Studies have also found that music is effective in pain therapy, slowing the heart rate, lowering blood pressure, speeding post stroke recovery, and even boosting immunity. I'll go into those studies more in another post. Today I would like to concentrate on the effects music has on one's mood and mental status.
We've all used music to relax and sometimes to fall asleep. The reason this works is because relaxing music reduces sympathetic nervous system activity, decreases anxiety, blood pressure, heart and respiratory rate and may have positive effects on sleep via muscle relaxation and distraction from thoughts.* For this reason, using music to reduce stress is a valid and useful tactic. Slow classical music has been proven to reduce stress, even on newborns.* One can play it in the background while performing other tasks, and it will still work. It's not just classical music that does this. Any relaxing music can relax your muscles, including your brain. Using music while doing yoga, guided imagery, or just soaking in the tub will aid in the relaxation process. Upbeat music can also help reduce stress by making you feel more positive and optimistic. Researchers have also found that music can decrease the amount of cortisol, a stress-related hormone produced by the body in response to stress.*
Many cultures have and do use music as a part of the healing process. In ancient Greece, Apollo was both the god of music and medicine. Healing mantras, chants, and incantations have ancient origins and are seen throughout history and in every major world culture-- Hinduism, Muslim, Judaism, Native American, Polynesian, Asian, Sufi, etc. The power of chant involves bridging the two worlds of humanity and eternity (spirituality.)** The mind, body, and spirit connection is a powerful one. It makes sense, then, to connect to the spirit (which is where music comes from) to heal the mind.
I wrote briefly in a previous post about how music increases intelligence, i.e. reading and literacy skills, spatial-temporal reasoning, mathematical abilities, emotional intelligence, and it even improves memory and concentration. (Musicians really should be the smartest people on earth). Studies have also found that music is effective in pain therapy, slowing the heart rate, lowering blood pressure, speeding post stroke recovery, and even boosting immunity. I'll go into those studies more in another post. Today I would like to concentrate on the effects music has on one's mood and mental status.
We've all used music to relax and sometimes to fall asleep. The reason this works is because relaxing music reduces sympathetic nervous system activity, decreases anxiety, blood pressure, heart and respiratory rate and may have positive effects on sleep via muscle relaxation and distraction from thoughts.* For this reason, using music to reduce stress is a valid and useful tactic. Slow classical music has been proven to reduce stress, even on newborns.* One can play it in the background while performing other tasks, and it will still work. It's not just classical music that does this. Any relaxing music can relax your muscles, including your brain. Using music while doing yoga, guided imagery, or just soaking in the tub will aid in the relaxation process. Upbeat music can also help reduce stress by making you feel more positive and optimistic. Researchers have also found that music can decrease the amount of cortisol, a stress-related hormone produced by the body in response to stress.*
Many cultures have and do use music as a part of the healing process. In ancient Greece, Apollo was both the god of music and medicine. Healing mantras, chants, and incantations have ancient origins and are seen throughout history and in every major world culture-- Hinduism, Muslim, Judaism, Native American, Polynesian, Asian, Sufi, etc. The power of chant involves bridging the two worlds of humanity and eternity (spirituality.)** The mind, body, and spirit connection is a powerful one. It makes sense, then, to connect to the spirit (which is where music comes from) to heal the mind.
I am not saying anything you didn't already know. Many people say music lifts their spirits. But now you know that not only does it help without the negative side effects of MAOI anti-depressants, it actually improves your physical health! Modern research has confirmed music's therapeutic influence on the psyche. They've even identified bright, cheerful music (e.g. Mozart, Vivaldi, bluegrass, Klezmer, Salsa, reggae)* is the most obvious prescription for the blues. So instead of going for the Prozac next time you're depressed, why not play some Bob Marley. Love, light, and music.
*http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/music.shtml
**http://www.healingmusic.org/Main/What_Is_Healing.htm
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