Understanding The Power of Music
Music is a beautiful art form that connects us, helps us share emotions, allows us to feel heard, and provides us with a sense of belonging. While music can be used as a form of entertainment or to simply add some beautiful sounds to the background of a conversation, music is so much more. Music is a powerful force. It has the power to help us heal and provide us with a variety of unique mental, emotional, and physical benefits. Our band, Smokin’ Ivories uses music to connect to deeper emotions and tap into the healing powers of sound. Learn more about the healing power of music and be sure to check out our latest album today!
Music Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Meditative music has been used to help soothe the mind and provide some stress relief. While some people can tap into the soothing sounds of meditative music easier than others, there is research to suggest that music can be an effective way to cope with stress.Â
According to Verywell Mind, a study from 2013 had participants take part in one of three conditions before being exposed to a stressor and then taking a psychosocial stress test. The participants either listened to relaxing music, rippling water, or received no auditory stimulation. The results showed that those who listened to music were able to recover from the stressor more quickly. This suggests that listening to music had an impact on the human stress response. According to the American Psychological Association, music can help reduce the levels of cortisol, which is the stress hormone.Â
Music May Improve Immunity
Music may also be able to improve immunity. According to the American Psychological Association, researchers found that playing and listening to music could increase the body’s production of the antibody immunoglobulin A and natural killer cells. Natural killer cells are the cells that attack invading viruses and boost the immune system’s effectiveness. While music is not a cure-all, let alone a cure for anything, it could help give your immune system a boost! Â
Music Promotes Better Sleep
Sleeping is an important part of life, and those with insomnia know how hard it is to function with minimal sleep. The Verywell Mind article mentions that research has demonstrated that listening to relaxing classical music can be an effective remedy to insomnia.Â
A study that focused on college students had participants listen to classical music, an audiobook, or nothing at all at bedtime for three weeks. The study found that those who listened to music had significantly better sleep quality than those who had listened to audiobooks or nothing.Â
According to the Sleep Foundation, music improves sleep through calming parts of the autonomic nervous system, which leads to slower breathing, reduced heart rate, and lower blood pressure.Â
Music May Help Mental Illness
The Verywell Mind article also mentions a study that found that music therapy can be a safe and effective treatment for a variety of disorders, including depression. One study found that music therapy could help reduce depression and anxiety in patients suffering from conditions like dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke. Classical and meditation music offer the greatest mood-boosting benefits. While music may not rid you of depression, it could help you boost your mood when you need it most.Â
