Music Therapy
- Article posted by James Thomas
Did you know that listening to your favorite music is not only enjoyable but also therapeutic?
Research has shown that listening to music can provide a number of physical and psychological benefits including reducing stress and anxiety, depression, insomnia, lowering blood pressure, and also providing pain relief.
‘Music Therapy’ as it has come to be known is the conscious use of music as a therapeutic approach to healing and usually involves engaging in a variety of musical activities with a certified Music Therapist.
However, you can experience the benefits of Music Therapy right in the comfort and privacy of your own home.
The simplest way to do this is to take a moment by closing your eyes and asking yourself, “What do I need right now?” Are you feeling uptight and stressed and therefore need to relax, or are you feeling lethargic and low and need a ‘pick me up’?
The beat we hear in music actually has profound effects on our brainwaves, which then creates a ripple effects throughout our entire body and in particular our nervous system.
So if you really need to unwind and relax choose some music with a slow, steady beat and lay down comfortably on your back, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Listen to the music, focusing on the slow steady beat and allow your mind to just ‘drift off’ into a meditative state.
Doing this will slow down your brainwave activity, reduce your blood pressure, slow down your breathing and heart rate, and promote relaxation and relief from stress.
On the other hand if you need more energy, focus and enthusiasm, choose some music with an upbeat tempo. Close the curtains, move the furniture around so you have some room to move and then dance around to the beat like nobody is watching. Allow yourself full expression (without injuring yourself or others) and enjoy it!
This might be uncomfortable for some of you, but doing so will increase your brainwave activity, making you more conscious and alert. It will increase your circulation, release ‘feel good’ endorphins which can provide relief from pain, and it will dramatically improve your energy level. It’s also a whole lot of fun!
These are just two basic ‘Music Therapy’ ideas. There’s also singing or chanting by yourself or in a group, playing musical instruments, writing your own songs, going to live concerts, especially classical music like Baroque.
Baroque music (e.g. Bach) has been proven to slow down the brainwaves into the Alpha state and synchronize the left and right hemispheres of the brain. It is probably the earliest form of brainwave entrainment. However, that is a topic for another article.
Ultimately, the more you can fill up your life with beautiful, inspiring music, and the more you can laugh, dance, sing and express yourself, the happier, healthier and more positive you will be.
To quote Wayne Dyer, “Don’t die with your music still in you!”
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About The Author
James Thomas is the Founder & Editor for Self Empower Magazine and is one of it’s most active writers. He is passionate about empowering others to consciously create and live their absolute best life by sharing his extensive knowledge gained from 18+ years working in both the Self Development and Health and Wellness industries.
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