The Calm In Music
Music, the universal language, has engaged the world for centuries with dramatic effects on the human
body. It has the profound ability to calm us in our everyday busy lives by touching us both physically and
physiologically. The process is so simple, we need only to listen and enjoy while music heals our
neglected bodies that have forgotten how to relax. Join me in reading about the physical and
physiological effects of music on the human body and learn how the components of music help to create
a soothing environment.
Physical Effects
Have you ever noticed the physical changes that occur when you listen to relaxing music; your body
automatically begins to calm. Your breathing slows down, the tension between your eyebrows
disappears, the muscles behind your neck relax, your shoulders drop and your eyelids become heavy. You
lean back in your chair, your arms fall by your side, your hands open up, the tension from your lower
back drains, your legs stretch out, and your toes wiggle as your feet reach for the floor. Then an urge to
stretch and yawn occurs.
Let’s read this paragraph again, and this time, allow your body to go through the motions and experience
what you’re reading. Once you have read this paragraph twice, close your eyes for a moment or two and
enjoy the feeling. Think about nothing, nothing at all. Open your eyes and read on.
Physiological Effects
There is more good news, one that is most fascinating--the physiological changes that occur deep within
our bodies. It begins with endorphins, the body’s natural wonder drug being released and relieving us
from pain, influencing our mood state and memory.
After endorphins are released, there is a decrease in the secretion of epinephrine and norepinephrine into
the bloodstream, which are used during a response to physical or mental stress. With the reduction of
epinephrine and norepinephrine, our veins dilate allowing for better blood flow lowering blood pressure,
heart rate, metabolic rate, free fatty acids, and oxygen consumption. During this time there is a decreased
chance of having a migraine, experiencing heart disease, gastrointestinal ulcers and cerebral vascular
accidents.
Finally there is a decrease in the levels of adrenal corticosteroids as well as corticotrophin-releasing
hormone (CRH) and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) which are released during stress.
Components of Music
It has been shown that a tempo between 60-70 beats per minute are most soothing as they mimic a
healthy heart. Too fast a tempo creates tension while too slow a tempo creates a feeling of overwhelming
heaviness.
The pitch, the highness or lowness of a sound affects our autonomic nervous system which regulates
involuntary action e.g. the intestines, heart rate and glands. In general a high pitch creates tension while
a low pitch creates relaxation.
It is important to note the volume of the music being played; intensity or the loudness can be painful if too
high but soothing if low.
However, the most important component is that you e-n-j-o-y the music. Choose a genre that pleases
your soul in order to gain the positive physical and physiological benefits, otherwise, the opposite holds
true.
I think I should have no other mortal wants, if I could always have
plenty of music. It seems to infuse strength into my limbs and
ideas into my brain. Life seems to go on without effort, when I
am filled with music.
----George Eliot
Conclusion
It has been said that music is the rhythm of life that regains order previously disrupted by stress. Music
enters our bodies restoring our cardiac rhythm regulating temperature, sleep, metabolic process, cerebral
process and heart rate. If you have problems sleeping at night play some gentle music that you enjoy
before going to sleep. You will awaken alert and refreshed.
Just as chocolate is responsible for giving us the feeling of “ love” due to the phenyl ethylamine
compound, music is responsible for giving us the feeling of inner peace which leads to good health.
Continue to enjoy life by listening to plenty of soothing music.
Music, the universal language, has engaged the world for centuries with dramatic effects on the human
body. It has the profound ability to calm us in our everyday busy lives by touching us both physically and
physiologically. The process is so simple, we need only to listen and enjoy while music heals our
neglected bodies that have forgotten how to relax. Join me in reading about the physical and
physiological effects of music on the human body and learn how the components of music help to create
a soothing environment.
Physical Effects
Have you ever noticed the physical changes that occur when you listen to relaxing music; your body
automatically begins to calm. Your breathing slows down, the tension between your eyebrows
disappears, the muscles behind your neck relax, your shoulders drop and your eyelids become heavy. You
lean back in your chair, your arms fall by your side, your hands open up, the tension from your lower
back drains, your legs stretch out, and your toes wiggle as your feet reach for the floor. Then an urge to
stretch and yawn occurs.
Let’s read this paragraph again, and this time, allow your body to go through the motions and experience
what you’re reading. Once you have read this paragraph twice, close your eyes for a moment or two and
enjoy the feeling. Think about nothing, nothing at all. Open your eyes and read on.
Physiological Effects
There is more good news, one that is most fascinating--the physiological changes that occur deep within
our bodies. It begins with endorphins, the body’s natural wonder drug being released and relieving us
from pain, influencing our mood state and memory.
After endorphins are released, there is a decrease in the secretion of epinephrine and norepinephrine into
the bloodstream, which are used during a response to physical or mental stress. With the reduction of
epinephrine and norepinephrine, our veins dilate allowing for better blood flow lowering blood pressure,
heart rate, metabolic rate, free fatty acids, and oxygen consumption. During this time there is a decreased
chance of having a migraine, experiencing heart disease, gastrointestinal ulcers and cerebral vascular
accidents.
Finally there is a decrease in the levels of adrenal corticosteroids as well as corticotrophin-releasing
hormone (CRH) and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) which are released during stress.
Components of Music
It has been shown that a tempo between 60-70 beats per minute are most soothing as they mimic a
healthy heart. Too fast a tempo creates tension while too slow a tempo creates a feeling of overwhelming
heaviness.
The pitch, the highness or lowness of a sound affects our autonomic nervous system which regulates
involuntary action e.g. the intestines, heart rate and glands. In general a high pitch creates tension while
a low pitch creates relaxation.
It is important to note the volume of the music being played; intensity or the loudness can be painful if too
high but soothing if low.
However, the most important component is that you e-n-j-o-y the music. Choose a genre that pleases
your soul in order to gain the positive physical and physiological benefits, otherwise, the opposite holds
true.
I think I should have no other mortal wants, if I could always have
plenty of music. It seems to infuse strength into my limbs and
ideas into my brain. Life seems to go on without effort, when I
am filled with music.
----George Eliot
Conclusion
It has been said that music is the rhythm of life that regains order previously disrupted by stress. Music
enters our bodies restoring our cardiac rhythm regulating temperature, sleep, metabolic process, cerebral
process and heart rate. If you have problems sleeping at night play some gentle music that you enjoy
before going to sleep. You will awaken alert and refreshed.
Just as chocolate is responsible for giving us the feeling of “ love” due to the phenyl ethylamine
compound, music is responsible for giving us the feeling of inner peace which leads to good health.
Continue to enjoy life by listening to plenty of soothing music.
© 2004 - 2007 RelaxMedia. All Rights Reserved.
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
