Stress Relief Through Music Therapy

How many people suffer from stress these days? Experts tell us that in the west it's the majority of people! That probably accounts for the fact that stress relief programs appear like mushrooms. Some are useless, but many work - and one of the best has proved to be music therapy. It works not only in reducing the stress of grown-ups and kids - but even pets!

The beneficial effects of music therapy go way back in folklore and beyond. It's mentioned in Greek myths, and even in the Bible (when David plays his harp to soothe his troubled king).

Some Facts About Music Therapy

There are basically two types: playing music as therapy, and listening to music. We'll focus on the second one, which enables the listener to not only gain anxiety and stress relief, but to conquer a host of related issues.

This goes hand in hand with meditation, and involves such techniques as deep breathing and mental imagery. It's known that music works on many levels of the brain and significantly changes moods and hormone functions.

How Does Music Do This?

Psychiatrists are of the opinion the beat or rhythm of the music penetrates deeply into the subconscious, and there it triggers associations of safety, warmth and security. That's because before birth a baby is surrounded by the security of the womb and the predominant sound is the mother's beating heart.

The slow, rhythmic pulse of relaxing music may reflect the feelings first enjoyed when our lives were stress and anxiety-free. Thus we can withdraw for a while from the causes of our stress and anxiety to an imaginary place of refuge and safety.

Selecting appropriate music for therapy and stress relief may not be as simple as it sounds. You need to choose prudently. Indeed, the 'wrong' music can promote stress instead of alleviating it! Picking music you like can work in some circumstances, but not necessarily for deep stress relief meditation. And listening to 'relaxing' music that you hate, convinced that it will 'do you good', can work against you.

Fortunately, professional music therapists can guide us here. They recommend music that has a rhythm of less than 72 beats per minute - that's slower than the heart beat. If the music goes in cycles or repeating segments, so much the better.

Some of the best music for stress relief is to be found in:

* Classical themes

* Celtic rhythms

* Native American

* New Age music

As already mentioned, you must bear in mind that different types of music can have different effects:

When you're lonely and blue, steer clear of weepy country songs!

When you're all worked up and on the brink of exhaustion, hard rock may not help you relax. However, if you're weighed down by boredom and are fretting with stored-up energy, heavy metal could be the very thing (if that's what you're into).

When you've to do something on your own and it threatens you, music from your childhood or teenage years can be highly reassuring.

If it's relaxation you're after, instrumental music with flutes, bass drums and even sounds from nature - bird song, ocean waves, rustling leaves, etc. - are your best bet. These all have an extraordinarily calming effect.

The Best Way To Enjoy Music Therapy

These tips will help you get the most from your music therapy:

* Find a quiet, relaxing spot where you can be undisturbed for at least 20 minutes

* Sit or lie in a restful state

* Or you may choose to stroll in a secluded place and listen to your mp3 or CD player; this way you get the additional benefits of fresh air and exercise

* Remember, select your music wisely; you may even choose to invest in some commercially produced relaxation CDs or mp3s. These are available on meditation themes such as mind power, weight loss, pain relief - and many more

* Make a point of doing this several times a week, or daily if you can.

Once you discover the benefits of music therapy, your health will improve, your emotional life will be more stable and your relationships will improve. You'll wonder how you ever managed without it!

Article Source: http://mylilpeanut.com

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