Is music a prescription for our ills?

You wouldn’t think that music is any more than something we enjoy but more and more research has been conducted on the benefits of music.  It seems as if music can be a real tool in improving our lives and our health.  And applying it so easy, all you need to do is- just listen.
Previously we have discussed using music while exercising.  There are many benefits to doing this.  One benefit is listening to music while exercising has a stress reducing effect.  Another thing that I like is that it makes the exercise so much more enjoyable and fun.  That keeps me exercising longer.

New research gives further benefits
A study conducted at Brunel University in England showed that motivational music was able to enhance the endurance of those exercising on a treadmill up to 15 percent.  They used music from Queen, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Madonna.  It might be even more effective to choose the tempo of the music appropriately to the speed you want to exercise. Lively music can certainly help pump us up.  I know I love using Let’s Get Physical by Olivia Newton John when I workout.  -It helps.  I understand others feel the same way.

Mood Music helps the Emotions
I am sure each that every one of us has experienced music putting us in different moods.  Some music might make us feel romantic, some music makes us want to get up and move, some music affects us by making us reminisce.  I’m sure you’ve heard a song that brings you back to a certain time, place and feeling.  I know I have.
If we are agitated we are able to listen to music that is capable of calming and relaxing us.  If we are sad we are able to listen to music that is fun and has an upbeat and happy feel.  If our get up and go has got up and gone, we can listen to music that will help motivate, or energizes us.  Music is quite a phenomenon.
But, whether we want to implement a feeling or not— anytime is a good time to listen and enjoy music.

Music has an effect on improving Behavior
I thought this was very interesting.  In 2004, in London England, the British Transport Police played classical music in some of the most dangerous underground stations.  These statistics were noted after 6 months: Robberies were decreased by 33 percent; Staff assaults decreased by 25 percent; Vandalism went down 37 percent.

Here is another case study; in West Palm Beach in 2001 the police put a CD player and speakers on an abandoned building in a high crime area.  After playing classical music 24 hours a day for about 3 months, shootings, loiterers, drug deals and thefts all decreased.
Pretty effective wouldn’t you say?

Music and our brain
It has been learned that the beat of music can affect our brain waves, so if you need to speed up- use music with a faster beat, if you need to relax, use music with a slower beat.
I have a relaxation program that involves soft music and deep breathing. It has even being known to lower blood pressure.  Lowering blood pressure leads to several other health benefits including things such as reducing strokes, etc.
You may do this at home, just get into a very comfortable seating, put on some soft as well as slow music, and after getting comfortable, do slow  deep breathing.  Be sure to breath from the stomach or your diaphragm.  When done during times of stress the relief is pretty quick.  I use this in some of my classes.
So, realize if you need a more positive state of mind, use music.  If you are depressed or anxious, use music (if you add exercise to this equation you’ll get even better results)
 Music is also known to help with improving our immunity and- easing our muscle tension.
Is it any wonder that Music Therapy has come into its own?  For more information on music therapy please go to the American Music Therapy Association’s Site.
In the meantime, instead of reaching for another pill use music to help you accomplish your Wellness needs, and remember:
You and your family are worth listening to good music.
For further topics to please go to:
www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Carmel_Aaron

(Carmel Aaron lives in Heber Springs, has a degree in biology and has been certified by Proevity in Nutrition and Glycemic Indexing, and takes ongoing Wellness studies.  She owns and operates Anatomy Academy Wellness, where she teaches a Certified Wellness Weight Loss Coaching program as a GKCC. To get in touch with Carmel email: AWellnessCoach@Gmail.com.)