Can Music Alleviate Stress?
Music has a tremendous impact on our health and well-being. Different rhythms, pitches, harmonies, and even lyrics can change our mood and provide health benefits.
The first sound humans hear is the heartbeat of the mother. The human brain is able to pick up the rhythm of the heart while the baby is still growing in the womb.
As the baby continues to grow prior to birth, it’s able to pick up the sounds of the mother’s voice. A singing mother can have a further impact as the baby will pick up on the different rhythms, pitches, harmonies, and lyrics being used.
Music affects everyone’s mental health. When you listen to upbeat music, you’re likely to feel happy. Lower tones can make you feel sad or angry, depending on the type of music.
According to violinist Michelle Jones, who also studies the impact of music on the human body, the best way to start your day is with an upbeat rhythm. The beats per minute (BPM) of the music has a big impact. Jones says that it’s best to listen to 104 BPMs, the same as a rapid heartbeat. This is commonly heard in upbeat songs. This type of music will make your heart beat faster and get you off to a flying start.
While music can impact the way your body feels, it also invokes long-forgotten memories. Your subconscious is able to pick up music tones and use those to draw recollections.
The type of memory you have will be dependent on your past experiences. For example, the bridal chorus can bring back fond memories for many, causing them to remember a happy wedding. For others, it could cause them to recall a sad memory, such as losing a spouse.
While the rhythm, pitch, harmony, and lyrics will impact feelings, so will the complexity of the music. The more of your brain you can stimulate, the more you’ll get out of your listening experience.
Simple music, as is heard with most popular music, features a melody and accompaniment. While the melody can stand alone, the accompaniment is nothing without combining with the melody.
Complex music involves multiple melodies at the same time. Rather than an accompaniment needing a melody to attach itself to, each melody included in a complex piece can stand on its own. People usually refer to this type of music as classical.
A single melody means that simple music only stimulates a certain portion of your brain. However, your brain needs to separate the different melodies of complex music, causing you to use more of your brain.
The ability to use more of your brain is why it’s often suggested to listen to classical music when pregnant or to stimulate your brain for future health.
Singing also has the ability to stimulate your brain. Again, reciting lyrics causes both sides of your brain to work together. Studies have shown that listening to complex music and singing have the ability to stave off common neurological problems, such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
As you can see, music has a big impact on your body. It can stimulate your brain and impact your feelings. Understanding how music impacts you allows you to find the right songs to create the feelings you desire.
To learn more about how music can impact you, check out Michelle on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. She also has a talk show, called Note-Worthy with Michelle Jones. If you would like to contact Michelle or hear her play the violin, you can visit the website of her group Violectric at violetric.net.
If you’re looking to relieve anxiety and create a better overall mindset, book a free consultation through my website. You can also watch my weekly show, The Well-Balanced Mind, where I’ll provide insights into understanding your mind and behavior.
Do you find that you have anger, stress, or sadness and are looking for a change? Hypnotherapy might be a good fit for you. To schedule a consultation call, click here.