“It’s an MP3 player, Grandma! It has all my favorite music!” The 10-year-old child responded as if his grandmother should have known about the small shiny device he held.
Looking thoughtfully, Grandma leaned back in her chair and carefully told the child, “When I was your age, we had a Victrola.”
“What’s a Victrola?” The child struggled with the word.
Smiling as she looked at the MP3 player. “It’s like your device there, but much bigger.”
“It must have been hard to carry it around everywhere,” the child said, eyes wide.
Grandma let go a laugh. “We didn’t carry them around. We played records on them.”
The child stared at his grandmother, twisting his mouth into a wrinkled grin. “What is a record?”
Holding her hands in the air to form a round shape with her thumbs and forefingers, she described, “It is a large round disc made of vinyl. And, it held all my music on it.”
The child glanced at his MP3 player then back at the large round form his grandmother shaped with her hands and formed an astonished look on his face. “Wow, you must have had thousands of songs on something that huge!”
As you might imagine, this conversation and ones similar to it probably took place in every generation. But despite the changes in music formats over the years – from 78 records to 33 1/3 albums to cassette tapes and 8-tracks to CDs and now all sorts of digital recordings – the benefits of sound have remained consistent throughout the generations. Decades of research have shown music therapy to improve the well-being of people suffering from dementia and other long-term diseases; however, healthier individuals should also subscribe to a daily dose of music therapy to maintain and even improve their well being.
In ancient times, music was used as a healing tool, and was actually recognized as such by Pythagoras, Aristotle and Plato. During their time, they believed what research has since proven… that the quality of human life (physically, emotionally, cognitively and overall well-being) could be enhanced by just listening to music.
As people age, they often skip over some of life’s simpler enjoyments such as kicking back and listening to good music, whether it be via your old Victrola or through an iPod download. Skipping that simple pleasure of music could actually be detrimental to your health.
A 2007 study in the Journal of Happiness Studies found that people over age 65 who listened to music in their everyday life had improved psychological well-being and life satisfaction than those who did not regularly listen to music. In addition, they also reported experiencing more positive emotions, such as feelings of pleasure and relaxation as well as improved mood regulation. Two years later, the International Journal of Mental Health Nursing reported that people over the age of 65 could lower their risk of depression by listening to music. The research found that tuning into their most desirable sound lowered depression, blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate.
Here are 10 specific health benefits you could receive just by kicking back and listening:
1. A natural pain killer. Music can divert your attention away from pain and encourage relaxation. A study in the Journal of Advanced Nursing found that listening to music reduced chronic pain by up to 21 percent.
2. Reduces stress. Music can reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. A study found that listening to a half-hour of soothing music twice a day for two weeks significantly reduced anxiety in people.
3. Lowers blood pressure. A study found that people who listened to music for just 30 minutes a day for one month had significant reductions in their blood pressure. In addition, the soothing music reduced the risk of stroke and other cardiovascular issues.
4. Stimulates brain cells. Research found that music with a strong beat stimulates brainwaves to resonate in sync with the beat, bringing sharper concentration and more alert thinking. Listening to softer, classical music improves focus over longer periods of time, promoting a more meditative state. It was found that these effects often lasted long after the music ended.
5. Boosts exercise performance. Music will often divert your attention from feeling fatigued and exhausted during a workout. Ever wonder why nearly all exercise classes use music? It helps intensity the workout, boosting performance as well as weight loss.
6. Promotes sound sleep. Listening to music can reduce daily stress, putting your body in a more relaxed state that can assist in your sleep cycle.
7. Increases optimism. Listening to music that you enjoy can perk up your mood, increase self-esteem and boost self-confidence. The positive music promotes a positive state of mind, keeping depression and negativity away.
8. Assists cancer patients. According to research, music reduces anxiety in patients suffering from the effects of radiation and chemotherapy.
9. Assists with socialization skills. Music has been known as a great conversation-starter as well as a method of bringing people together who share a similar passion. Rock concerts, symphonies or dances bring a variety of people together mainly because of their love of the music style being shared that evening.
10. Improves spiritual health. Music has been used for spiritual connections across most religions. It is a way of worship or connecting to the Higher Power of the particular church. Chanting and other sounds are also considered modes of music used for spiritual health.
Considering that listening to music takes virtually no effort, every generation can enjoy the benefits. Make music a daily part of your lifestyle and take pleasure in knowing you are improving your health in the process.
References:
Chaudhari, M. (2010). 10 benefits of listening to music. Retrieved April 3, 2012 from http://www.lifemojo.com/lifestyle/10-benefits-of-listening-to-music-19402577.
Chan, M. F., Chan, E. A., Mok, E., & Tse, F. Y. K. (2009). Effect of music on depression levels and physiological responses in community-based older adults. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 18, 285-294. doi: 10.1111/j.1447-0349.2009.00614.x.
Laukka, P. (2007). Uses of music and psychological well-being among the elderly. Journal of Happiness Studies, 8, 215-241. doi:I 10.1007/s10902-006-9024-3.
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