Friday, May 21, 2010

The Power of Music


Music is a powerful thing. It can create the feeling of relaxation, excitement, fear, sadness, or most any emotion that you can think of. Have you ever watched a movie without the background music in it? I have, and it has a completely different effect on how you react to the story.

Remember the movie Jaws? Without the music that played when the shark showed up, it would never have been as frightening as it was with the "Da Dum, Da Dum, Da Dum" that accompanied it.

Music has been called the International language. Anyone from any culture can feel the same emotions that music invokes. Music can lower or raise your blood pressure, depending on the type of music that you are listening to. If it is calm and peaceful music, you will tend to feel calm and peaceful while listening to it.


If music is loud screeching, and put to a fast tempo, it could make you feel anxious or jumpy. If music is fast, your heart rates and blood pressure raise as well. If music is slow, your heart rate and blood pressure will lower.


I have listened to music for many years while I ride my bike. If I am climbing a steep hill without music, it feels much harder and difficult to get to the top. However climbing the same hill with upbeat music helps the climb feel much easier. It literally helps me to ride stronger and faster, particularly if it is music that is faster tempo and something that I like. Music is a motivator.


There is some music that can evoke tears or sadness. Some music can make you feel glorious and triumphant. Music is the soul of most movies, television shows, and theater productions. Without it, they would all feel flat and empty.


When stroke patients in Finland had a daily dose of music therapy, their verbal memory and attention span improved significantly over patients that did not listen to music. By listening to music you can actually improve your immune system. It will increase the release of immune boosting hormones.


Research has also shown that by listening to certain music it will increase intelligence, learning ability, and I.Q. This is one reason they say that pregnant women should listen to classical, jazz, or peaceful music so that the baby will receive these benefits.


So when you are listening to music you are creating many things to happen in your body. Be conscious of how you are feeling when you are hearing music. If it makes you feel good, it is good for you. If it makes you feel irritated or anxious, change the type of music you are listening to.


Music is powerful! Use it to enhance whatever it is you are doing, whether it is exercise, meditation, housework, or just relaxing. Music is the frosting on the cake of "life", enjoy!

Till Monday,
Queenie

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