How Does Listening To Music Reduce Stress?
Listening to music can have a relaxing effect on our minds and bodies when we’re stressed. For example, classical music has a quiet and (sometimes) slow tone, which creates a calming atmosphere. This type of music can have a beneficial effect on our body: slowing the pulse and heart rate, relaxing our muscles, and decreasing the levels of stress hormones. Music itself can go hand in hand with other stress relieving techniques as well. Nature sounds mixed with quiet calming music can act as a great aid to meditation, helping to prevent the mind from wandering.
Music has been shown to stimulate brainwaves. These brainwaves can change your mood and even behavioral responses depending on what type of music you're listening to. Music with a slower tempo produces calmness and a meditative state. Plus, the benefits continue even long after the music stops. When your brainwaves shift, other events occur in your body as well. For example, your muscles relax, you become more alert, and your breathing and heart rate alter.
IT'S NOT JUST LISTENING TO THE MUSIC
Simply listening to music doesn’t always help with stress. For example, if there are too many distractions in your home, it might be hard to concentrate on relieving your stress. You should try lying down with some headphones on and an eye pillow (or just closing your eyes). This will allow the sound to move through you. This is the time to simply let go of your thoughts. Ease your transition from the challenging world outside and slip into this calming, musical atmosphere. When you’re finding a piece of music to manage your stress, don’t just choose a random song. Typically, slower more pattern-oriented music can help regulate and relax our systems, and more up-tempo music can get us up-and-going. Happier songs can often lighten the mood quickly and sometimes bring back fond memories.
However, dealing with stress doesn’t always mean that we need to listen to chirpy music. Sad and harsh songs have their places when dealing with stress as well. Sad songs can sometimes help us process heavy emotions we need to move through. This helps us shift to a new and happier place. Other times, hard rock music can help us release our anger before we can calm down enough to relax.
If you’re not sure what the best type of music is for you to relax to, don’t worry, there’s a general answer. According to studies, Native American, Celtic, Indian stringed-instruments, drums, and flutes are very effective at relaxing the mind even when played moderately loud. Sounds of rain, thunder, and nature sounds may also be relaxing particularly when mixed with other music, such as light jazz, classical, and easy listening music.
GETTING THE MUSIC
Soundcloud
Spotify
YouTube
Examples of Non-lyrical Music (found on YouTube)
A Moment For Peace Meditation, (Aneal & Bradfield, "Heaven and Earth Spirits" track from Life & Love). Lovely contemporary piano music with accompanying instruments and nature scenes, 3:36.
Quiet Mind, (Nawang Khechog, "Quiet Mind" track 3 from Universal Love). Relaxing Tibetan meditation flute music, 3:26.
Echoes of Time, (C. Carlos Nakai from the Canyon Trilogy). Serene Native American flute music, with a picture of Nakai backlit by the sun at the Grand Canyon, 3:49.
The Winding Path, (Kevin Kern from The Winding Path). Beautiful piano music with accompanying instruments with pictures of exquisite flowers and plants, 3:59.
Angels of Venice - Pachelbel's Canon in D Major, (Angels of Venice from Music for Harp, Flute and Cello). Classical with 3 instruments with nature pictures, 4:30.
Spa Relaxing Music Long Time Mp3 with Candle Light. Tranquil contemporary instrumental with piano and a fixed candle light, 42:42.
Relaxation Music - 1 Hour Meditation Candle. Serene contemporary instrumental with piano and one flickering candle, 1:00:54.
