Get the health benefits of music this weekend

Who doesn’t love music? Certainly, there are some; but for the most part, music is a big part of our lives.

Whether it’s the music that we listen to on the way to work, while we work out, or the music we hear in films, it can elevate our moods or make us sober.

Music has touched cultures and united many nations of the world. But what does not readily come to mind is the stress-relieving power of music.

New evidence has emerged that when it comes to relieving the stress of daily life, music can be more effective than drugs.

If you doubt this assertion, simply cast your mind to how good you feel when you are listening and dancing to your favourite song. Science has proved over and over again that good music soothes the body, soul and relieves stress.

Researchers say playing and listening to music has great benefits for both our mental and physical health. A review of 400 research papers in the Neurochemistry of Music found that music can improve the function of the body’s immune system, reduce pain and blood pressure, in addition to treating depression.

The lead researcher and professor of medicine, James Levitin, says listening to and playing music lower the levels of cortisol (the stress hormone).

He states, “Music has the potential to influence us both psychologically and physiologically. It is an important area of therapy for stress management. Music therapy can make use of biofeedback, guided imagery, and other established techniques to play an important role in the treatment of people with stress-related disorders.”

Music boosts moods

According to scientists, depending on the taste of the individual, slow or fast-paced music supplies adrenaline to the brain, which is necessary for mental activities. They note that listening to thrilling and loud music gives similar health benefits that food and good sex gives during a mental or physical exercise.

The report states, “Music gives more pleasure and it makes you anticipate, which is similar to the feeling you have during sex. When this happens, your system secrets more dopamine, the hormone that makes you happy and reduces pain and stress.”

There is more to music, though. Levitin says playing and listening to music reduced pain and anxiety levels in cancer patients.

He states, “We have found compelling evidence that musical interventions can play a health care role in settings, ranging from operating rooms to family clinics. But even more importantly, we were able to document the neuro-chemical mechanisms by which music has an effect in four domains: management of mood, stress, immunity and as an aid to social bonding.”

He states that listening to music increases the production of the antibody, Immunoglobin A, which plays an important role in helping the body to fight infections and diseases.

“The body produces higher levels of this antibody, Immunoglobin A, when you listen to music or sing a song from your heart. This antibody attacks germs and bacteria invading the body.”

Relieves back and muscle pain

Experts say that music works on the autonomic nervous system – the part of the nervous system responsible for controlling our blood pressure, heartbeat and brain function; and also the limbic system – the part of the brain that controls feelings and emotions.

According to a research published in Vienna Medical Weekly by Austrian doctors, when slow rhythms are played, our blood pressure and heartbeat slow down, which helps us breathe more slowly, thus reducing muscle tension in our neck, shoulders, stomach and back.

They add that apart from relieving physical tension, music also reduces psychological tension in the mind.

Clinical psychologist, Franz Wendtner, who led the study, says, “Music is an important part of our physical and emotional wellbeing – ever since we were babies in our mother’s womb listening to her heartbeat and breathing rhythms.

“Listening to music for about 25 minutes every day for at least 10 days can help prevent back pain and also make you sleep better. Music can help migraine and chronic headache sufferers reduce the intensity, frequency, and duration of the headaches.”

The experts believe that any type of classical music that is calm and slow can help relieve muscle pain.

Reduces blood pressure

By playing recordings of relaxing music every morning and evening, people with high blood pressure can train themselves to lower their blood pressure – and keep it low. According to a research reported at the American Society of Hypertension meeting in New Orleans, listening to just 30 minutes of classical, Celtic or raga music (melodic modes used in Indian classical music) every day may significantly reduce high blood pressure.

Medicine for the heart

Music is good for your heart. British researchers recruited young men and women, half of whom were trained musicians. The participants slipped on head phones and listened to six styles of music, including rap and classical pieces, with random two-minute pauses. As the participants kicked back and listened, the researchers monitored their breathing, heart rates and blood pressure.

The participants had faster heart and breathing rates when they listened to lively music. When the musical slowed, so did their heart and breathing rates. During the musical pauses, heart and breathing rates normalised or reached more optimal levels.

Whether or not a person liked the style of music did not matter. The tempo, or pace, of the music had the greatest effect on relaxation.

PUNCH.