Sunday, April 13, 2008

Musiq

Music is an art form in which the medium is sound. Elements of music are pitch (which governs melody and harmony), rhythm (and its associated concepts tempo, meter, and articulation), dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture....

Music Relieves Stress and Promotes Health:

esearch study results are in that push our boundaries of understanding our brains, stress, and the effects of music stimuli on mental states. There was a one-day symposium at Stanford University in May of 2006 that gathered ethnomusicologists, musicians, and scientists to discuss the human musical experience, and the exchange of ideas encouraged continued research. Topics included the way music can affect physiological activities such as heartbeat and blood pressure, change brain function, and even be used to treat neurological conditions. http://www.stanford.edu/dept/news/pr/2006/pr-brainwave-053106.html

Stress results from the collision between our perceptions and our reactions. In other words, you and I may react differently to the same experience; you might remain calm, I might become agitated. If stress accumulates over time, it can lead to many physical, psychological and emotional symptoms.

Being able to identify your personal reactions that create stress, you can then begin to alter your responses. Music can help you make the necessary changes. We all know that music can help you to "feel good," but did you know that research has shown that this good can last far past the actual listening experience? It's true - music changes your brainwave activity levels and this also helps your brain accomplish this on its own.

Research has proven that music relaxes long past when the actual music stops. It's as if a memory of the relaxation is there to be recalled when needed. Music has also been shown to help people prepare for surgery and heal faster. When patients listen to relaxing music, their breathing deepens, more oxygen is transported throughout the body, and there is a secretion of serotonin in the brain which stabilizes moods.

One of the great benefits of music for stress relief is its versatility. You can listen to it in your leisure time and carry the benefits with you long after you've stopped listening, and you can also incorporate it into your daily life, thanks to mp3 technologies, without having to stop what you're doing.

Music stimulates brainwaves to synchronize with the beat - a faster beat encourages alertness and concentration while a slower beat calms, relaxes and creates a meditative state. So depending on your needs, music can enhance every activity and balance every mood.