Classical Music & Stress http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1K1wf0h2RI Brendan Conway

What is stress? Stress is anything that poses a challenge or a threat to our well-being. Some stresses get you going and they are good for you. Without any stress at all many say our lives would be boring and would probably feel pointless. However, when the stresses undermine both our mental and physical health they are bad.

Why use music? Music is the most moving of all arts. Sound moves all our senses, our muscles and our minds. Music can create moods of joy, happiness, and wellness. Music helps the body to access and discharge deeply locked-in material.

Power of Music Against Stress Music has a unique link to our emotions, so it can be an extremely effective stress management tool. Listening to music can have a tremendously relaxing effect on our minds and bodies, especially slow, quiet classical music. Music can absorb our attention, it acts as a distraction at the same time it helps to explore emotions. This means it can be a great aid to meditation, helping to prevent the mind wandering

Power of Music Against Stress cont. It has been found that when music is played, it accelerates and enhances the ability of learners to make rapid emotional assessments and act accordingly. When pleasant music is heard, the brain’s motivation and reward pathways are reinforced with positive emotion mentally linked to the music.

Classical Music & Stress One of the benefits of classical music is the rhythmical inconsistency. This is responsible for a more intense expression of emotions than a regular beat. Music with a pulse of about 60 beats per minute, including certain baroque, can shift consciousness from the beta towards the alpha range, enhancing alertness and general well-being.

Composers Bach Haydn Handel Corelli Albinoni Teleman Vivaldi Mozart

Physical Effects Slows the heart and pulse rate. lowers blood pressure reduces the levels of stress hormones.

Studies The College of Nursing at Seattle University in Washington showed that listening to music such as Mozart or relaxation tapes three or more times per week lowered blood pressure. Researchers at the American Society of Hypertension’s annual meeting reported that listening to classical music for just half an hour a day can significantly reduce your blood pressure

Conclusion Listening to classical music is a proven, and effective method of stress management that can be used by itself or with another intervention to relieve stress.

Sources http://www.naturalmedicine.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1839:stress-management-a-classical-music&catid=911:natural-therapies&Itemid=201 http://psychcentral.com/lib/2007/the-power-of-music-to-reduce-stress/all/1/ http://www.50plus.com/lifestyle/reduce-stress-by-tuning-into-classical-music/160/