WONDERS OF MUSIC IN LIFE

Music can provide inspiration, relaxation and passion. Some people use music to set a mood. While others will have their favourite symphony playing while they study for exams. And let’s not forget dancing to your favourite song as a form of exercise or meditation! Yes, music does inspire and provoke us to be who we are to the fullest of our abilities. 

Music speaks when words can’t. I believe the power of music is generally underestimated. Hundreds of reports have shown and proven how music stimulates the brain and can bring back memories or emotions.

I imagine that music plays many roles in your life as it does in mine. It allows others to have a sense of who we are and what we believe. Consider the ways that music has influenced your life. Music has the power to shift our feelings from joy to sorrow in a split second. It can bring us back to memories we forgot we had or forward to the world we have yet to create. Music has many purposes and abilities. There are degrees in Music Therapy offered at many Universities. The drumbeat has been used for centuries by Native Indians to elevate shamans to other dimensions. And let us not forget the sheer entertainment that sitting at an opera or a jazz club brings us! Yes, music is a very powerful source.

Music Can Heal You

There are several mechanisms by which music can have this effect. First, music has positive physical effects. It can produce direct biological changes, such as reducing heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels.

1) When we listen to music our brain releases dopamine which is a feel good chemical essential for the healthy functioning of the central nervous system; it has effects on emotion, perception and movement.

2) Music is proven to physiologically affect heart rate, breathing and pulse rate resulting in physical chills of pleasure. A study was undertaken by Dr Mike Miller of Baltimore, who measured the effects of music on the cardiovascular system by measuring blood vessel size before, during and after music playing. When a patient liked the music playing, the blood vessels relaxed and opened.

3) Happy lyrics help us to think positively. “Walking on Sunshine” anyone?

4) Music lifts mood, reduces anxiety, raises motivation and helps combat insomnia and depression. A recent study by Stanford University shows that depressed patients gain self-esteem and their mood improves after music therapy.

5) Music can trigger associated memories transporting you back to special occasions. Billie Holiday always reminds me of my Nana – good times.

6) Music physically heals – yes really. Fabien Maman, a musician and acupuncturist, devised the Tama-Do Academy based on his extensive research that showed that human blood cells respond to sound frequencies by changing color and shape. His findings demonstrate sick or rogue cells can be healed or harmonized with sound.

When you listen to music you enjoy and makes you happy, your blood flow increases. Music promotes healthy blood vessel function the more you listen to joyful songs.

Whatever the reason you listen to music, I hope it makes your heart sing.