MUSIC SPECIAL ......THE HEALING POWER OF MUSIC

THE HEALING POWER OF MUSIC





From nursing a broken heart to providing relief to patients suffering from psychiatric disorders, music can have a positive impact on a person's mindset and physical well-being

While music therapy has been used since ancient times to heal the sick, today, more and more people are incorporating it in their everyday life to fight stress, pain, enhance their decision-making skills, increase self-confidence and also improve concentration. So whether you are into Indian classical, heavy metal or opera, it's time to create a playlist!

HOW IT WORKS

This therapy makes use of music to improve overall health. You can create music, play along with pre-recorded sounds, compose a song or listen to an instrument.

Traditionally used in hospitals, schools and prisons, you can use it in your daily life for relaxation, to give an energy boost as well as deal with emotional tur moil. Sophie Bold from the British Association For Music Therapy says, “Listening to music, playing a musical instrument or being a part of a choir -all these activities are beneficial, as they help us unwind and feel uplifted. Music can be exciting or calming, joyful or poignant, can stir memories and powerfully resonate with our feelings, helping us to express ourselves.“ The therapy improves the quality of life and also allows one to interact better with others.

WHY YOU SHOULD ADD SOME MUSICAL NOTES TO YOUR DAY

Helps in physical relaxation: If you suffer from tense muscles, listen ing to some soothing music will enable you to release the tension that you carry from a physically exhausting and stressful day.

Changes negative state of mind: There are days when you have a bad feeling about everything around you and feel like you're doomed, which can lead to depression and anxiety.Music can change that melancholic state of mind.

Reduce chronic pain:

Are you constantly complaining of a backache?Try music therapy. Music positively affects the right side of the brain, which controls the body's healing processes. Studies have shown that pop music, is ranked first in relieving pain, followed by classical and rock music!

Boosts concentration:

 If meditating or yoga is too tedious for you, this therapy will help your brain get into a meditative state. Vivek Joshi, a music therapist who has been playing the sarod for more than three decades, says, “This therapy is great for kids, who have a short attention span, as it improves their concentration levels.“

TO GET YOUR MUSIC FIX

Create a music playlist. First identify music that soothes you. You can take your pick from classical, Mozart, or even heavy metal like Metallica! You can also go to a music therapist.They use a wide range of instruments -piano, guitar, flute or their voice -to connect with the person. The therapist will, through attentive listening and observation, create a musical landscape of rhythm, tonality and melody so that you can communicate in your own musical language. The music is wide ranging and often improvised.

NATURAL SOUNDS CAN HEAL YOUR SOUL

If you aren't interested in listening to conventional musical notes, you can opt for the sounds of nature. These are incorporated in CDs and are specifically for relaxation. The sound of water can be soothing as it can conjure up pleasant images such as being surrounded by nature.

Other calming sounds include birdsongs.

Purvaja Sawant

TOI 17FEB16