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Using Music to Beat Stress

Listening to music does wonder to alleviate stress. Everyone has different tastes in music. “We should listen to the music that makes us feel comfortable.” (“Music Helps in Relieving Stress”) Sitting down and forcing yourself to listen to relaxation music that you do not like may create stress, not alleviate it. (“Blog Archives – Weebly”) “Music is a significant moodchanger and reliever of stress, working on many levels at once.” (“How to handle stress?”)

“The entire human energetic system is extremely influenced by sounds, the physical body and chakra centers respond specifically to certain tones and frequencies.” (“Music Helps in Relieving Stress – EzineArticles”) Special consideration should be given to the positive effects of one playing or creating music themselves.

Among the first stress-fighting changes that take place when we hear a tune is an increase in deep breathing. The body’s production of serotonin also accelerates. (“randomstuff: using music to combat stress”)

Playing music in the background while we are working, unaware of the music itself, has been found to reduce the stress of the workplace. (“randomstuff: using music to combat stress”) That is why so many retail places play music while you shop – to take your mind off the soaring prices!

“Music was found to reduce heart rates and to promote higher body temperature – an indication of the onset of relaxation.” (“Therapy Of Music”) Combining music with relaxation therapy was more effective than doing relaxation therapy alone.

“Many experts suggest that it is the rhythm of the music or the beat that has the calming effect on us although we may not be very conscious about it.” (“Being Physical and Stress – DrJimScott”) They point out that when we were a baby in our mother’s womb, we were influenced by the heartbeat of our mother. “We respond to the soothing music at later stages in life, associating it with the safe, relaxing, protective environment provided by our mother.” (“Music Therapy – Kea0”)

Music can be one of the most soothing or nerve-wracking experiences available. Choosing what will work for any individual is difficult, most will choose something they ‘like’ instead of what might be beneficial. (“Therapy Of Music”)

In doing extensive research on what any given piece of music produces in the physiological response system many unexpected things were found. Many of the so-called meditation and relaxation recordings produced adverse EEG patterns, just as bad as Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. (“Therapy Of Music”)

The surprising thing was many selections of Celtic, Native American as well as various music containing loud drums or flute were extremely soothing. The most profound finding was any music performed live and even at moderately loud volumes even if it was discordant had very a beneficial response. (“randomstuff: using music to combat stress”)

“As we mentioned before, there is not a single music that is good for everyone.” (“randomstuff: using music to combat stress”) People have different tastes. It is important that you like the music being played. I recently picked up a rest and relaxation CD at Wal-Mart that has done wonders for me. It has the sounds of the ocean in the background while beautiful piano music plays. (“randomstuff: using music to combat stress”) It is very soothing.

One note here, it is not an innovative idea to play certain types of ballads or songs that remind you of a sad time in your life when you’re trying to de-stress. (“Tradutoringles.com.br | Tradutor de Inglês Para Português …”) The reason is obvious. You are trying to relax and wash away the anxious thoughts. The last thing that you need is for a sad song to bring back memories you do not need anyway. (“Tradutoringles.com.br | Tradutor de Inglês Para Português …”)

“Here are some general guidelines to follow when using music to de-stress.” (“randomstuff: using music to combat stress”)

  • To wash away stress, try taking a 20- minute “sound bath.” Put some relaxing music on your stereo, and then lie in a comfortable position on a couch or on the floor near the speakers. For a deeper experience, you can wear headphones to focus your attention and to avoid distraction. (“randomstuff: using music to combat stress”)
  • Choose music with a slow rhythm – slower than the natural heartbeat which is about seventy-two beats per minute. “Music that has repeating or cyclical pattern is found to be effective in most people.” (“Music Therapy – THE WORLD OF MUSIC”)
  • As the music plays, allow it to wash over you, rinsing off the stress from the day. Focus on your breathing, letting it deepen, slow, and become regular. Concentrate on the silence between the notes in the music; this keeps you from analyzing the music and makes relaxation more complete. (“Living Healthy”)
  • If you need stimulation after a day of work, go for faster music rather than slow calming music. (“If you need stimulation after a day of work,”) Turn up the volume and DANCE! It does not matter if you can dance or not. (“Simple keys to happiness | Wall Street International Magazine”) Just move along with the music and do what feels good. You will be shocked at the release you can feel!
  • When going gets tough, go for a music you are familiar with – such as a childhood favorite or favorite oldies. Familiarity often breeds calmness. (“Living Healthy”)
  • Take walks with your favorite music playing on the Walkman. Inhale and exhale in tune with the music. Let the music takes you. This is a great stress reliever by combining exercise (brisk walk), imagery and music. (“Music Therapy – THE WORLD OF MUSIC”)

“• Listening to the sounds of nature, such as ocean waves or the calm of a deep forest, can reduce stress.” (“Living Healthy”) Try taking a 15- to 20- minute walk if you are near the seashore or a quiet patch of woods. If not, you can buy tapes of these sounds in many music stores. This has been very calming for me – you should try it too! (“randomstuff: using music to combat stress”)

There is another great relaxation technique that I have found in coping with my own anxiety problems: self-hypnosis.

 Best Wishes, Coyalita

See Tomorrow: “Self-Hypnosis for Stress”

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