Art of Life/Donna Parker
Music’s Mood Magic
“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” - Bob Marley
Music is everywhere: we hear it on radios, televisions, the start and/or end of a movie, both in private and public places. Music sets the mood up and almost every one of us cannot live without it.
The pandemic and staying at home more has brought most social activities to a screeching halt. We are not eating out, nor exercising in gyms, no meetings with friends, nor visits with extended family. The stay-home orders meant many of our “go-to” coping skills were taken away, causing: boredom, anxiety, and stress.
Music is powerful affecting both our brains and our bodies. Long proven as a stress reduction option, music is widely available and inexpensive. There is something about hearing your favorite song on the radio that can suddenly turn an unfulfilling time into an exciting adventure. It can be almost magical how listening to your playlist can turn a bad day into a good night.
Using music as a healthy coping skill is important because it teaches us how to deal with our own difficult situations and helps us become more resilient. So whatever problem comes our way in the future, we have the strength and will-power to keep moving forward.
Research has found that music has a unique link to our emotions and it can be used as an exceptionally effective stress management means. Music can also have a relaxing effect on the mind just like listening to slow music to calm the body. Researchers at Stanford University assert that listening to music appears to be capable of changing brain function, similar to some degree as medication.
Additionally, scientists have revealed that if you listen to only 50 minutes of inspiring dance music, your antibody levels will strengthen suggestively. After being exposed to music, they also found that stress hormones can decline in the immune system. Most importantly, research has found that music has a unique link to our emotions and it can be used as an exceptionally effective stress management tool.
The bottom line is, it is an easy stress reduction option since music is so widely available and inexpensive. The following are suggested types of music, you can use.
Listening to upbeat and happy dance music, can improve your mood. Dance music sets you free, and feel better when you plugin to its beats. Studies have found that people listening to varied types of music, the ones who listened to upbeat and energetic genres were happy after two hours of repeated listening.
Music that makes you feel relaxed, is very effective but also subjective. Therefore the songs that you use for relaxation and de-stressing are dependent on your musical tastes.
Listening to your favorite music can not only reduce stress it also provides you with more energy. In essence, you are actively providing your mind with pleasure. A great way to maintain this state of relaxation is to sing along to your favorite songs. This is a method of catharsis, mental relief, that can improve your mood and energy.
What about sad music? Although many of us hold the view that sad music makes us feel even sadder, that is not exactly true. In fact, sad music is good to listen to when you are feeling sad. Feeling perplexed? Research suggests that sad music works as a catharsis for people who are feeling sad.
What about music without lyrics? Listening to music without lyrics might not interest everyone, but if you look at the research, classical music can enhance your brain activity. The absence of words cancels out any room of distraction and helps you focus. In fact, a recent study found that students listening to classical music helps them to be more motivated to study and study longer.
“Music is powerful. As people listen to it, they can be affected. They respond.” Ray Charles
