Music: Sound Stress Reduction Music–It is the soundtrack to our lives. You might have driven your first car while the Go-Gos blared on the radio. You may remember singing “Memory” at your high school graduation, or you might have had the organist play “Ode to Joy” at your wedding. You may remember the first time you heard Bruce Springsteen, or the last time you heard Madonna. Whether your musical tastes are contemporary or classical, chances are you do have a favorite form of music. And you also probably have a favorite artist or band. But, in addition to being enjoyable, 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 highly important that you listen to music that appeals to you. If you never liked the Beach Boys, chances are that playing a “Best of the Beach Boys” CD will not calm you down. Furthermore, if you like classical music, but can’t stand Beethoven, limit your listening to Mozart instead. The important thing is that you feel comfortable with your musical selections. It is hard to imagine a world without music, yet most of us do not take full advantage of the art form. It can be unbelievably effective in reducing stress and improving relaxation. It is no wonder that women have been known to select their favorite music to give birth by. Music elevates our mood; it makes us feel happy and alive. Depending on the amount of stress you’re under, you may end up playing music just in the morning, in the afternoon, or all day. Just remember that music time should be relaxation time.
Music: Our Connection to the Higher Conscious Today, more and more seniors are watching their diet and implementing exercise programs in an effort to remain more healthful, manage stress, and participate in a lifestyle that is rewarding and enjoyable. Many are aware of the benefits of diet and exercise in helping to keep our bodies and minds operating a peak levels of performance, but what is not known is the role music can play in helping older citizens (and I believe younger ones, too) to manage stress, become a part of an enjoyable learning experience, and acquire a new tool in their efforts to stay healthy. What many people don’t realize is the role music could play in their life, throughout the course of their life. Music is our connection between the everyday spoken word, and the power of our spirituality. Music operates on sound waves that fall in the range between vocal sounds, or our voice, and spiritual prayer, or meditative brain wave lengths. What does all that say? It is a link, an avenue to connect with our higher conscious on a moment to moment basis, to relive stress, comfort us, or simply lift our spirit. Professors and other leaders of the education environment have long known the benefits of musical talent. Learning to make music and play musical instruments increases our mathematical and scientific analysis abilities. In the course of the learning process, the musical notations and reading of musical notes, works within the vastness of our brain to stimulate the processes associated with working mathematical problems, solving analytical problems, and excelling in the sciences. What have we learned from watching our young people, as they learn to perform and play musical instruments? There is a direct association with the hopeful mindset of youth, and the pouring out of musical creation. Both the young mind and the musical note bring about joy and hope, in an untainted, unlearned environment. The young mind is oblivious to the constraints of life that the middle-aged person has learned well, and the musical note serves as a constant invitation to belief in the impossible. What have studies revealed about the power of music? In studies performed on older citizens, the effect of learning to play music, and participate in music performances, lowered stress and anxiety levels, feelings of isolation and loneliness decreased, and here’s the real surprise, participants actually showed increases in the production of the human growth hormone. The human growth hormone positively affects aging phenomena such as energy levels, wrinkling, osteoporosis, sexual function, muscle mass and general aches and pains. What important information does this impart to health practitioners? It brings to the forefront the need for increased exposure to group activity and social interaction. The benefit of learning musical instruments and enjoyment of the music they generate only sees its true potential when applied in a group setting, where laughter, music and fellowship can take place. Studies of this nature serve to reinforce the long-held belief that music is a way to connect with our higher selves, our peers, and to bring about increased enjoyment of our lives.
While we all know that Jazz is as much a style of music as it is a style of dance, many people may not realize the importance that dance has played in music. There are many songs out there that mention the importance of dancing and yet we as a society seem to have forgotten the importance or limited that importance to a certain age group. Once we age it seems that we forget not only how to dance but also the intrinsic importance of dancing as well.
“I Hope You Dance” is only one of many songs that relate the important role that dancing plays in feeding the human soul. If one thing in life is important for all, that one thing would be to dance whenever the opportunity arises. You never know when you will run out of opportunities to dance or find that you’ve squandered so many of them away. Take them as they come and your life will be filled with much greater joy than you may ever realize. Despite many other songs out there that may convey the message, there are very few that say it more concisely than this particular song. “When you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you’ll dance”.
Garth Brooks is another musician that had an excellent commentary on dance. His song “The Dance” chronicles not necessarily the importance of dancing but of participating. Given the choice, many who have lost their lives in some risky endeavor would more than likely tell those left behind that they would not have traded the dance for one more breath. The lyrics to this song are somewhat haunting “I could have missed the pain but I’d have had to miss the dance”.
Believe it or not all good songs that mention dance do not happen to be country songs. These honestly happen to be, in my opinion, the most poignant. Other great songs about dance include the song “Let’s Dance” by David Bowie. The lyrics to this song include the stanza “Let’s dance for fear tonight is all”. The truth of the matter is that you never know and dancing is a great way to celebrate living.
Music and dance for years have gone hand in hand and will continue to do so long after we’ve left this earth. At least that would be the hope. I would hate to see what a world without dance would be like. It would be like having children without laughter and that would be a sad world in which to live. If you want to keep your children dancing then you must teach them to dance. Teach them that it is okay to dance and be silly around the house. That it is okay to dance their way through their chores (hey if it makes them smile while taking out the trash I say go for it!). Teach them that dancing is a great way to express joy and that laughter is the best thing to follow their dance.
Native Americans have a long and noble heritage when it comes to dance. They let their dreams beat out the heartbeat of Mother Earth and danced in companionship with nature. They danced for joy and sorrow, war, peace, and praise. I can think of no better example to follow when it comes to dance.
You’ve probably seen videos and CDs for babies. There are some theories that classical music can make your baby smarter, and exposing your baby to music is part of what we do to introduce them to all the sights and sounds of their world.
Music can definitely help calm your baby down and put him in a restful state at bedtime or nap time. What are some good choices for a baby?
Almost anything you love or use for relaxation is good for a baby too. There are good collections of Mozart or Bach for bedtime. The music of Enya can be very soothing as well. Georgia Kelly’s harp music is also relaxing and peaceful.
When your baby’s awake, there are lots of nursery rhymes or music from kids’ movies that can stimulate his senses. We’ve known kids who respond to minimalist Phillip Glass’s music; it’s simple and rhythmic and when they get older, they’ll dance with it. Spirituals and soft gospel music are also good choices to help the baby get to sleep.
White noise, in the form of a fan (not directed right at the baby), or from sound machines that simulate the sound of an ocean or rain can be restful as well, and can block out noise from the home. You don’t need to create an artificially silent environment for the baby, however, since that can make it harder for them to get to sleep when the home’s rhythms and noises get back to normal.
This is a great time for you to explore classical music as well, if it’s not already part of your life. The same music that’s helping your baby get to sleep can help soothe your own nerves and provide a wonderful time of bonding and restfulness for you and your baby together.
Music is helpful for soothing stress. When a person is overwhelmed by stress, they often feel like a victim in a continuing storm. When a person feels down and out they often neglect responsibilities, fail to do their best, and ponder over their problems using the emotions to weigh them down. The sound of music can often help us to appreciate the finer things in life. If you are ready to get started relieving stress then have a seat in a comfortable area of the room and let your mind wander, focusing on nothing bad. Place a set of headphones over your ears, choosing your favorite tunes and rock and roll with the band. Singing along with the musicians is also helpful for relieving stress. Pretend you are a musician in a band and ready to entertain the world. Pretend that everyone loves your music and voice and let the lyrics flow. Jam…Jam…Jam. After you do this for a short while, you will feel the tension release from your body and mind. Let the music take you in and keep you until you feel you got it all under control. If you like to dance then by all means, do so. This is great for relieving stress since you are exercising the body and mind. Dance the night away if you choose, just do not forget that you have obligations and loose track of the time. Rest is also important to relieving or minimizing stressors that cause stress. You have the floor so hold it like it is gold. You belong in this world of fantasy, fun and illusion. The sound is pounding in your head de-voiding you of any thoughts that causes your stress to override the night. Feel the beat as you listen to the sounds and allow it to take you into a problem-free environment. If you are not having fun yet then your stress level is in full control. How much better can it get than leaving the world and its problems behind temporarily to find a source of peace? Your mind is free, your body is flawless of tension and your world is fabulous. Great fun for everyone! There are many types of music in existence, but mostly what we enjoy is the best technique for relieving stress. If you prefer to listen to music without sound, then lie back on your bed, kick out your feet and let the music take you into a journey of fantasy. Soundless music is great for relaxing the mind and often puts us to sleep where problems are buried in the subconscious mind temporarily. Hey, I know it is hard and everyone of us has to deal with stress. The upside is stress is useful when we keep a positive outlook on life. We can vision our self in a world of fun and entertainment or we can vision our self in a troublesome world. There are many techniques for relieving stress but I found that music helps everyone that is suffering stress more efficiently than any other source. The gift of music provides us a release and a source for getting in touch with our creative and artistic side. You may claim you cannot draw, write, or even dance but when you let the music set you free then you might find yourself on a Big Screen TV dancing for a major band. Do not underestimate your abilities or talents. Music is a feeling and feelings are emotions. Therefore, music puts you in touch with your feelings and emotions. Now get up on the floor and dance like a stark raving manic if you like.
Finally, we can look back through the history of music and see how music has helped millions relieve stress. The musicians might feel overwhelmed but in thousands of homes worldwide, their music set someone else’s mind free. Music teaches us to let go of things that are out of our control and helps us to learn how others think, feel and believe. We can hear between the lines that everyone has stress when we listen to the thousands of voices blaring music in our ears.
