“Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy.” ~Ludwig Beethoven
Having anxiety is no fun and, for some, can be seriously debilitating. Traditional treatments for anxiety include talk therapy and sometimes medication, while holistic approaches incorporate exercise, massage therapy, and meditation.
On the rise in the treatment of anxiety, as well as other mental health conditions, is sound therapy. Sound has been widely used as a healing tool by many cultures since the beginning of time.
Music and sound are healing because they move us from imbalance to balance by shifting our brainwaves through frequency and rhythm. Music and melody also stimulate the release of “feel good” endorphins and neurotransmitters, which help our mood to improve through our interpersonal neurobiology.
Want to Improve Your Mood? Try Music!
We intuitively know that music and mood are linked, and music has the capacity to stimulate emotion. Music can be a tool to help you:
Calm anxiety
Relieve depression
Ease pain
Help you focus
Relax you into sleep
In a fascinating study, at Mindlab International, neuroscientist, Dr. David Lewis-Hogsdon, reports that one song, of all the songs tested in their lab, was found to reduce overall anxiety in their participants by 65% as well as a reduction in normal psychological resting states by 35%.
So what is this magic anxiety-busting melody? Weightless, by Marconi Union. You can test it out for yourself here.
You don’t have to be part of a research study to benefit from the healing power of sound. Why not curate your own playlist with music or sound that speaks to you. Below is a mini-list of some of my personal calm down favorites.
Anxiety doesn’t have to disrupt your life. With curiosity and creativity, you can discover what helps you to cope most successfully. Why not give music a try?
Copyright Kimberley Mapel