Music has been used historically for hundreds of years as a healing modality. Did you know that research has revealed that philosophers such as Plato & Aristotle spoke to the importance of music and health? The ease of access to music makes it an easy, practical, & affordable way to integrate a therapy that can help reduce stress & promote health.

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Music therapy itself is considered a licensed & credentialed form of therapy, but music itself can be used as a daily practice to reduce anxiety and promote a sense of positivity. There are a wide variety of apps on our smart devices that provide access to music, some are low in cost, & many are free, like Pandora. Of course, the free apps have some advertisements, but integrating music in a meaningful way can be as quick as 2 to 3 minutes, a few times a day!

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Music has been used & researched as a treatment modality for individuals with Alzheimer’s, neurological disorders, & in rehabilitative settings. It is not unusual to experience music in the operating rooms of hospitals & often music is offered as a comforting measure to reduce anxiety with imaging procedures such as MRIs & CT scans. More recently, I was encouraged to listen to music while my dentist did some drilling, it was great & improved my experience while reducing my anxiety!

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Some of the research speaks to less medication requirements such as Valium in post cardiac procedures &  decreased levels of anxiety & pain following surgical procedures. Ever hear about those studies that revealed music contributing to plants growing robustly? Yes, that is the benefit of music!

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How can music help you daily? First you must really connect to different pieces of music to determine which type of music facilitates change in your body & your mind & your spirit. We often think we know which music will work, but we listen to music for a variety of reasons. Sometimes we want to feel light & lifted, other times we want to “zone” out & other times be motivated. When music is used as therapy, it is much more than tuning in, it’s more like tapping in; there are considerations of tempo, frequency, & resonance.

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Let us give you an experience.

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Take a few minutes to listen to the following you tube clips. It is important to take deep breaths & try to allow your body to relax & really connect to the music. Try to distance yourself from the busy world of your thinking brain & let the music seep into your ears, then your mind, down through your body. Do you feel a change in your posture? Your muscles? Did they relax? Do this a couple of times a day for 3 to 5 minutes, does it help you? Consider setting your alarm to remind you. If you feel a benefit from this, music therapy might be a good option for you