De-stress with the Power of Music
Music is a universal language. It can connect two people or millions of people. Music can liven you up, calm you down, and be there for you when you need some comfort. It can bring back memories, create dreams and allow for your imagination to take flight!
Listening to music can increase peoples attention spans and improve their memory. Stress is reduced and healing can take action. By understanding how to use music in your daily life, you can lessen the effects of tension. To achieve positive effects from music on the brain, music must have certain attributes. It needs to be fairly complex to involve more of the brain in the activity and keep you interested. New and different music is another factor that keeps the brain active and not bored.
You can also lose yourself in your music by singing along, bopping to the beat while you’re seated, playing your favourite instrument or getting up and shakin’ your groove thang! However you enjoy your tunes, remember that you are not only helping yourself emotionally, but also physically.
Listed below are a few selections for some different moods you may be in:
Music for Meditation
- Ave Maria by Franz Schubert (you can choose the version that best suits you)
- Evening Falls by Enya
- Horizons by Solitudes
Music to Help Depression
- Casta Diva from “Norma” by Bellini
- Adagio from Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3, K. 216
- Fairytale by Enya
Muisc to Aid You in Your Grief
- On Wings of Song by Mendelssohn
- Canon in D Major by Pachelbel
- Bobby McFerrin improvising with Richard Bona
Calming Music for Work
- Midnight Special by Creedence Clearwater Revival
- I Just Called To Say I Love You by Stevie Wonder
- Somewhere Over the Rainbow the Israel Kamakawiwo’ole version
Music for After Work
- Clocks the Sardis Secondary School Drum Line version
- Fleurs du Mal by Sarah Brightman
- Celebration by Kool & The Gang
While you are listening, take a moment and lose yourself in the rhythm, tempo, melody or harmony. These aspects of music have to work together to create spectacular things, just like we have to work with our mind, our body and our soul to create an equally wonderful life.
Music can be a driving force in your healing. If you feel like humming or singing along, then do! Even if you don’t feel you “have a voice”, being able to connect with your music supplies the needed energy for your day.
We have been making music for many generations, using it’s healing powers is only natural!
