We hear music all the time whether it is in the car, in a store and other public places which makes music accessible and of help in various ways. Music has been studied for a long period of time and it is considered to have a strong connection with the mental implications, immune functions and healing therapy. The soothing sound of music has a unique link to our emotions, so can be an extremely effective stress management tool.
Research implies that music’s form and structure can help to build a secure system with children with difficulties. It also enforces coordination and communication, so improves their quality of life. Moreover, listening to music reduces stress and anxiety in hospital patients before and after surgery. Another benefit is that music can help reduce both the sensation and distress of both chronic pain and postoperative pain. It is also known that listening to music can relieve depression and increase self-esteem ratings in elderly people. Making music can also reduce burnout and improve mood among nursing students. This shows that music therapy significantly reduces emotional distress and boosts quality of life among adult cancer patients.
Even if everyone has their own likings to music and some even select their music according to their current mood, classic music is said to help one to slow down the pulse and heart rate, lowers the blood pressure and even decreases the stress levels.
Music can be used as a distraction from all that is going on around us and also aid for one to explore their emotions. This means that music can be a good meditation tool and help to reduce anxiety when one is distracted by the music.
Even if one may think that listening to music is a waste of time, especially when overstressed, fact is that listening to music will aid in reducing stress levels thus increasing productivity and concentration. Moreover, people who suffer from clinical depression and even bipolar disorders found out that music helps them during the lowest of moods thus being used as a form of self-therapy.
Since we are living a very hectic lifestyle, one can try to listen to music in the car or whilst walking the dog or even whilst having a shower. If you like singing along to music than this could be a great way to release tension and if you are singing in a public place this can help in social interaction whilst calming music before bed will promote a sense of relaxation and helps to induce sleep.
Reference :
Collingwood, J. (2018). The Power of Music To Reduce Stress. Psych Central. Retrieved on May 29, 2018, from https://psychcentral.com/lib/the-power-of-music-to-reduce-stress/
Therisa Gambin is a psychology graduate who worked in the HR sector for the past 4 years. She decided to change her career path and thus is at present an intern at Willingness and will continue to focus on psychology practices.