The Healing Harmony of Music

Are you a music buff?  Well, you should be!  Whether you love the soothing sensation of magical music or if you’d rather have the joys of peace and quiet, there is always time for music!  According to the Mayo Clinic and other top hospitals in the country, music therapy is a must have.  There is plenty of research out there that suggest music can actually heal.

As said by The George Center for Music Therapy, Inc., the top 6 hospitals in the country offer music therapy.  Who’s on the list?  How about hospitals like…

                John Hopkin’s Hospital
                Massachusetts General Hospital
                Mayo Clinic
                Cleveland Clinic
                UCLA Medical Center
                Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Are you asking yourself, so what do these hospitals use it for?  What does it heal?  It seems that melodies are used to reduce the feelings of pain, coping, and stress.   CNN reported back in August of 2013 that music is used to help patients with autism, Alzheimer’s and other memory impairment concerns.  They indicated that everyone relates to music in some form and the brain’s reward system responds to music.

The stimulating and calming effects of music can help anyone, including you. 

I’ve felt it myself… the uncontrollable urge to listen to music while I’m depressed, frustrated, overwhelmed, stressed, fearful and even tired.  Listening to music seems to make things just a little bit better.  Ok, so maybe I didn’t experience the actual “healing” benefits of music, but it definitely has its place in my life. 

My music style shifts with my moods as well.  Sometimes, the calming sounds of “easy listening music” hits the spot.  Other times, I am in dire need for the upbeat harmony of “today’s top music” or “80’s rock hair band music”.  I’ve even gone experienced stages in my life where the heated sounds of Alanis Morissette’s  album, Jagged Little Pill, helped me through some tough times.  For some odd reason, hearing how angry she was made me feel better.  Maybe I could relate to the frustration or it just made me feel better knowing that I wasn’t as livid as her!  Either way, it worked!

Have you used music to cure whatever ailment you have experienced?  Try it today!  I have found that Pandora is a great resource for free music (with a few ads, but still better than the radio stations).  They already have the music grouped by music styles, so it’s easy to pick what you are in the mood for and what your mind and body needs to heal itself.

Music is for everyone.  From soothing a crying infant to helping an elder with memory, we all need music.  Music heals.

Peace,
Joy Boerboom