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Management
Stress Management
Music Sound Stress Reduction
Music Sound Stress Reduction
Music It is the soundtrack to our lives. You might have driven
your first car while the Go-Gos blared on the radio.
You may remember singing "Memory" at your high school graduation,
or you might have had the organist play "Ode to Joy" at your wedding. You may remember the first time you heard Bruce Springsteen, or
the last time you heard Madonna.
Whether your musical tastes are contemporary or classical, chances
are you do have a favorite form of music. And you also probably have a favorite artist or
band.
But, in addition to being enjoyable, music can serve an important
function as a stress reliever. It is no surprise that dentists routinely play music in their
offices, or that surgeons play it during operations.
Bus drivers play music to reduce stress, as do baseball players
during their warm-ups.
Musicologists say that music can have a soothing effect, an effect
that might have begun when we first heard music while still in our mothers womb.
As a result, music may, in fact, remind us of our mothers, from
whom we draw strength and comfort. It has been shown in studies that music where the flute
predominates, such as Celtic or Native American music, is often the most
comforting.
In fact, research indicates that any music performed in person
helps to synchronize the right and left brain hemispheres. Music can be especially beneficial
to the individuals performing it.
It provides a sense of accomplishment which can, in turn, reduce
stress.
Music increases the bodys serotonin levels, which are associated
with good feelings.
Also, music tends to enhance deep breathing, making a person feel
more relaxed. Also, background music at work has been shown to cut stress levels. In addition
to causing heart rates to decline, music boosts the bodys temperature.
One preferable way to relax is to lie down with a set of
headphones and allow the music to wash over you. In this way, you will be intimately involved
in the music you will feel as if you are part of the music.
It is easy to forget the cares of the world when you can escape
into music. You should select music that has a slow beat preferably slower than 72 beats a
minute, the standard heart rate.
You should focus your attention to the silence that is usually
built into musical selections in order to maximize your relaxation. Another popular technique
is to use a Walkman while doing your morning walk.
This way, you combine the stress-busting effects of music with
those of exercise. This provides a one-two punch which is guaranteed to reduce your stress
level.
You might also try tuning into nature sounds. Sit in your
backyard, close your eyes, and concentrate on the sounds you hear.
You will be listening to the music of crickets and songbirds,
leaves rustling in the wind and wind chimes swaying in the breeze. You can also purchase a CD
which offers the sounds of the ocean or the woods.
You will be amazed at how quickly you will be carried away with
the sounds. Just ten minutes sitting quietly and listening can put you in an entirely
different frame of mind.
You will find you are better able to cope with the demands of the
day if you have spent some time listening to music whether it is man-made or made by
nature.
It is highly important that you listen to music that appeals to
you. If you never liked the Beach Boys, chances are that playing a "Best of the Beach Boys"
CD will not calm you down.
Furthermore, if you like classical music, but can not stand
Beethoven, limit your listening to Mozart instead.
The important thing is that you feel comfortable with your musical
selections.
It is hard to imagine a world without music, yet most of us do not
take full advantage of the art form. It can be unbelievably effective in reducing stress and
improving relaxation.
It is no wonder that women have been known to select their
favorite music to give birth by. Music elevates our mood; it makes us feel happy and
alive.
Depending on the amount of stress you are under, you may end up
playing music just in the morning, in the afternoon, or all day.
Just remember that music time should be relaxation
time.
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