With music being such a necessity for the human being’s life experience, the ability and power music has can be somehow forgotten on unappreciated. What if I told you reader, that you wouldn’t have to take medicine for that anxiety you struggle with? What if, I had the secret to conquering your yearlong depression. What if, I can tell you that the only medicine you would need to dissolve stress is the sounds that dance around your eardrums. Yes, music is life’s true medication.
I love music. Not only do I love music, I am obsessed with it. Upon my addiction to musical creations, the influence of music is constantly examined. Although we have subjective preferences in music listening, the physiological effect on the nervous system is quite fascinating. When you as a listener hears instruments or even play the musical objects, tactile stimulation along with auditory frequencies help produce relaxation throughout the body.
I have said many times in the sea of musical writing and other music endeavors, that “music fuels the soul”. This statement has expanded into much offspring as music has been able to heal hearts and bring people together. With the value of music used as an emotional scapegoat aiding fragile victims of life’s actions, music can be used as a therapeutic entity. As music indeed heals the soul, can in fact heal other parts of the body? With the thought of music being a form of medication, could it actually be a reality for some people if not all? According to HealthPrep.com, scans of individual’s brain’s, have concluded a positive reaction toward the notion that music increases neurochemicals. Endorphins such as dopamine serves as a feel-good objective, resulting in music having a prominent and crucial part of the rehabilitation process. Music Therapy has shown to produce amazing health benefits and increased success for good body outcomes. We have learned of music’s health benefits and effects on history and individuals throughout centuries. Different cultures and religions on a global scale, made music their medicine to heal people of worry and pain. A study published by Spirituality and Health, concludes that musical science has been a successful/professional form of aid since the early 2000’s.
Passive and Active Music Therapy
Music components of a melodic and rhythmic outlet, help people deal with emotional issues. Through solo settings and group settings, trained music professionals, facilitate music improvisation for patients. Passive and active musical therapy have seen substantial efforts for improving motor and emotional functions in patients that suffer through various disabilities. Active music therapy surrounds heavy interaction with a bond between therapist and patient. These particular sessions require the therapist to interact with the patient through playing instruments together such as piano, guitar or drums. Tapping into the sensory organs of sound, sight and touch, the participation opens up an avenue for releasing inner and outer pain. Passive music therapy is typically proctored during the patient’s time of rest. In the interaction of passive therapy, the therapist typically plays relaxing and calming music. The outcome is to allow the patient to reflect on their inner thoughts, sensations and create imaginative imagery of a peaceful nature. Diseases such as Alzheimer’s to mental complications such as schizophrenia, has proven to reduce such effects and decrease depression while tapping into one’s creative mind.
For example, music has been implemented in hospitals. In notion is to help aid the patient through the recovery process, tests and anxiety surrounding the hospital visit. The therapy helps modify and release the stress hormones to benefit respiratory, cardiac and immune functions. Patients that undergo cardiac procedures especially benefit through neurological healing. With the therapy’s promotion of social, cognitive and intellectual efforts, music is highly favored in geriatric care.
Mental stability is a relatable topic for many people and societies. With rapid thoughts of positive and negative mind processes, music has shown to calm down those symptoms of depression and stress. Through multiple researches, music therapy also lessens the use of certain prescriptions surrounding mental health Increasing confidence and self-awareness. With help through stimulation of speech and motor integration music therapy shorts extreme efforts in improving communication and relationships.
YouTube channels such as “Relaxing Records- Study Music for Concentration” give musical insight through playlists and tracks that center around mental health and recognition.
From Young to Old
A popular use of music is seen from the elderly community. Elderly people have witnessed the impact of music as it helped decrease many psychological disorders in time of need. Individuals with various degrees of autism have found music therapy a beneficial part of embracing their unique experience of life. A questionable theme for women throughout the world, is the impact of music through pregnancy. Mom’s everywhere have been seen placing long dainty headphones across their beautifully enormous stomach to boost the baby’s brain development. Research has indeed proven positive conclusions to music of unborn children during the third trimester in addition to heavy influence of neonatal behavior. These benefits include increased weight gain, deeper sleep, reduced heart and feeding rates.
The musical treatment also however did not stop at young adults to older individuals. According to the Journal of Music Therapy musical interventions surrounding babies and children’s body awareness, focus, and communication are highly developed through the efforts of music therapy.
So, music does indeed heal the soul, but much more. It totally makes sense why and how music is so impactful due to the reaction we produce from music through mind and body. Music is the voice of the people for a reason. As a vocalist, I am able to connect with people’s emotions through the world of song. Through vocalist and musician’s musical efforts and ability, the emotional response to music helps us in ways we may not be prone to accept. Music has been a solid factor in my study routines. Using music to relax the body and spirit in order to process academic information efficiently, has been confirmed through countless researchers and developments. The next time you are feeling sadness. The next time you are feeling stressed. The next you are feeling unvalued or insecure, music is your medicine.
Photos: Shutterstock
More articles available here:
Music Therapy – Exploring the Link between Mental Health and Music
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