The Benefits of Music Therapy
The benefits of music therapy part one
Research has proven that music is a holistic approach to rehabilitation. Listening to music can be a quick route to getting yourself into a better mood, but it’s becoming increasingly clear that there’s much more to the benefits of music than just a quick boost for your outlook. Research has shown that music has a profound effect on your body and psyche. In fact, there’s a growing field of healthcare known as music therapy, which uses music to heal.
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The following are some of the effects of music, which help to explain the effectiveness of music therapy:
Brain waves
Research has shown that music with a strong beat can stimulate brain waves to resonate in sync with the beat, with faster beats bringing sharper concentration and more alert thinking, and a slower tempo promoting a calm, meditative state.
Breathing and heart rate
With alterations in brain waves come changes in other bodily functions. Those governed by the autonomic nervous system, such as breathing and heart rate can also be altered by the changes music can bring. This can mean a slower heart rate, and activation of the relaxation response, among other things.
State of mind
Music can also be used to bring a more positive state of mind, helping to keep depression and anxiety at bay. The uplifting sound of music and the positive messages that can be conveyed in lyrics can all be routed to a new mental state as well. This can help prevent the stress response from wreaking havoc on the body and can help keep creativity and optimism levels higher.
With all these benefits that music can carry, it’s no surprise that music therapy is growing in popularity. Many hospitals are using music therapists for pain management and other uses that support their patients’ health. While music therapy is an important discipline, you can also achieve many benefits from music on your own. Music can be used in daily life for relaxation, to gain energy when feeling drained, and for catharsis when dealing with emotional stress. Most of us know from experience that music can dissolve the stress of a long drive, keep us motivated to exercise, and take us right back to positive experiences in our past, which can be a happiness booster and a stress reliever.
Not only is listening to music therapeutic, playing it has its benefits too. Those who seek out music lessons and play an instrument are more likely to relieve stress and help with emotional distress. Learning to play an instrument can have the same benefits as listening to music. And if you are older, it is never too late to learn to play.
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