Posted on 18th Feb 2010 @ 2:43 PM

  It’s a Fact, Listening to Music is Good for Your Health

They say music soothes the savage breast, and I’ve always believed it to be true. Now there are actual scientific studies that have proved the value of music in relieving stress and benefitting many kinds of physical ailments. More and more it seems that music can play a role in maximizing health.

Some of the studies have been done on people experiencing chronic pain. With conditions such as osteoarthritis, chronic back pain and fibromyalgia, the participants experimented with listening to music daily and then kept a pain diary. Some listened to their favorite music, and others were given relaxing music chosen by the researchers. In both groups people reported a reduction in their pain as they listened and interestingly, a reduction in depression was also reported. It seems that the music’s relaxing and enjoyment qualities overrode the pain sensations and gave the listeners more “power over the pain.”

In other studies experiments have been done on heart patients. Again music proved to reduce stress, either the playing of music or merely listening to it. In these studies the participants were monitored using high-tech imaging equipment while enjoying music. The results showed that blood vessel sizes were changed in the process. The inner lining of the vessels relaxed which opened up the vessels improving circulation and also chemicals were produced that are protective of the heart.

One simple piece of research tracked students by having them listen to classical music while doing stressful tasks. The students showed a reduction in anxiety levels, lower heart rates and also lower blood pressure rates.

In an experiment done by Parkinson’s patients who joined a support group chorus the findings showed similar results. The joy of the music, the thrill of the performances and the camaraderie of the group all proved to be good medicine to each of them.

Music has long been used with mental patients and in counseling troubled children. It seems that the tones, melodies and rhythms interact with our physical makeup to produce a positive effect on our bodies. Now as we drive home after a busy day, commute by train or as we engage in work around the home, we can listen to our favorite music and know we are wisely de-stressing our bodies and minds.