How to Use Music to Reduce Anxiety and Stress

Music is a powerful tool that affects many aspects of our life. Whether it is dealing with stress, taking a break or even celebrating, music plays a pivotal role in our state of mind. In fact, it has been scientifically proven that music has a positive effect on the mind and effectively reduces stress and anxiety. With the ability to tug on your heartstrings and motivate your mind, there are many ways music can help reduce stress and anxiety.

Music, especially slow and mild classical music, has a great impact on your physiological functions and it effective in reducing blood pressure, heart rate as well as stress hormones in the body. Music not only acts as a distraction but also serves as a therapeutic tool.  It is very interesting to note that during bouts of stress and anxiety, most people actively avoid listening to music, deeming it unhelpful and a waste of time. It is notable that music in fact helps boost productivity by lowering stress levels.

Incorporating music into busy schedules

With the increasingly busy lives led by most professionals today, finding time to listen to a record with a calming cup of tea can be difficult. But you can incorporate music into your life many other ways. Carry your favorite CDs and play it in your car, listen to radio when you are in the shower or your phone when on the move. In fact, you can even sing along to release tension in your body and mind. Listen to calming music on your iPod before you go to sleep. Set the mood in your home with calming music when you have dinner or spend quality time with your loved ones and you can instantly lift your spirits.

Does music therapy work?

For centuries, music has been actively used to treat diseases and to restore peace and harmony in your body. Today, scientific studies have proven the potential benefits of music. Music has been credited to improve coordination as well as communication skills in children and adults, especially in distressed or physically disabled individuals. Listening to music can effectively reduce anxiety and stress and help ill patients cope with physical distress and postoperative pain. Listening to music can also improve self esteem, elevate mood and relieve depression.

Music therapy and meditation  

Perhaps the most useful function of music in your life is meditation. Certain types of music are well suited for calm meditation sessions and can enhance the experience of tranquility. Sounds of nature like water streams and bamboo shoots are considered to be therapeutic and can instantly calm your senses. In fact, some types of music therapy can treat sleep and stress related problems. When your brainwaves are accustomed to the uniform and hypnotic beats of calming music, you can enjoy better sleep and lower stress levels.

The next time you start feeling overwhelmed or stressed, take a step back and reach for your music player. Whether in your home or office, music is a great solution to help clear your mind and soothe your nerves.

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