Sunday, September 14, 2008

Music releases stress.

Music can serve an important function as a stress reliever. It is no surprise that dentists routinely play music in their offices, or that surgeons play it during operations. Bus drivers play music to reduce stress, as do baseball players during their warm-ups.
Musicologists say that music can have a soothing effect, an effect that might have begun when we first heard music while still in our mother’s womb. As a result, music may, in fact, remind us of our mothers, from whom we draw strength and comfort. It has been shown in studies that music where the flute predominates, such as Celtic or Native American music,
is often the most comforting. In fact, research indicates that any music performed in person helps to synchronize the right and left brain hemispheres. Music can be especially beneficial to the individuals performing it. It provides a sense of accomplishment which can, in turn, reduce stress.
Music increases the body’s serotonin levels, which are associated with good feelings. Also, music tends to enhance deep breathing, making a person feel more relaxed. Also, background music at work has been shown to cut stress levels. In addition to causing heart rates to decline, music boosts the body’s temperature.
One preferable way to relax is to lie down with a set of headphones and allow the music to wash over you. In this way, you’ll be intimately involved in the music you’ll feel as if you are part of the music. It is easy to forget the cares of the world when you can escape into music. You should select music that has a slow beat preferably slower than 72 beats a minute, the standard heart rate.
You should focus your attention to the silence that is usually built into musical selections in order to maximize your relaxation. Another popular technique is to use a Walkman while doing your morning walk. This way, you combine the stress-busting effects of music with those of exercise. This provides a one-two punch which is guaranteed to reduce your stress level.
You might also try tuning into nature sounds. Sit in your backyard, close your eyes, and concentrate on the sounds you hear. You’ll be listening to the music of crickets and songbirds, leaves rustling in the wind and wind chimes swaying in the breeze. You can also purchase a CD which offers the sounds of the ocean or the woods. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you’ll be carried away with the sounds. Just ten minutes sitting quietly and listening can put you in an entirely different frame of mind. You’ll find you’re better able to cope with the demands of the day if you’ve spent some time listening to music whether it’s man-made or made by nature.
It is hard to imagine a world without music

2 comments:

Dan1658 said...

Thanks for making this site. I believe that music does reduced stress. I promise too visit often

Katy said...

"In fact, research indicates that any music performed in person helps to synchronize the right and left brain hemispheres."

This is totally true. My boyfriend is a music freak, and he says that not matter what, he always loves going to shows more then the recorded version.