Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Music and mental and physical health learning - Coggle Diagram
Music and mental and
physical health learning
Introduction
Music can improve mood, decrease pain and anxiety, and facilitate opportunities for emotional expression. Research suggests that music can benefit our physical and mental health in numerous ways.
Music therapy is used by our hospice and palliative care board-certified music therapist to enhance conventional treatment for a variety of illnesses and disease processes.
Music and physical health
The finding came from the first-large scale review of 400 research papers in the neurochemistry of music which found that music can improve the function of the body’s immune system and reduce levels of stress.
Results showed that music increases an antibody that plays an important role in immunity of the mucous system, known as immunoglobulin A, as well as natural killer cell counts, the cells that attack germs and bacteria invading the body.
Manages pain
By reducing stress levels and providing a strong competing stimulus to the pain signals that enter the brain, music therapy can assist in pain management.
Heart healthy
Research has shown that blood flows more easily when music is played. It can also reduce heart rate, lower blood pressure, decrease cortisol (stress hormone) levels and increase serotonin and endorphin levels in the blood.
Helps people eat less
Playing soft music in the background (and dimming the lights) during a meal can help people slow down while eating and ultimately consume less food in one sitting.
Increases workout endurance
Listening to those top workout tracks can boost physical performance and increase endurance during a tough exercise session.
Music and mental health
Music is said to enhance intelligence and focus, improve mental health, and boost the immune system as well as self-esteem and confidence.
It can be used to relax, to boost and lift our mood, or to improve concentration.
Music can also be used to aid in insomnia, helping to encourage and induce a deeper sleep.
Improves focus on work or study
There have been numerous studies proving that listening to classical music helps the mind to focus.
Music with a tempo of 60 bpm (beats per minute) increases the brain’s ability to process information.
There have also been studies suggesting that EDM (electronic dance music) helps sharpen focus while studying.
Form of expression
Music is a wonderful way of expressing emotion and creativity without having to say anything.
Whether it’s playing a playlist of your favourite songs with friends or strumming your guitar, music is the perfect non-verbal way of expressing emotions that are too complex to talk about.
Music is an incredible vehicle to help us process negative emotion. Listening to ‘angry’ music can be therapeutic when we’re dealing with stress and anger.
To life the mood
Playing uplifting songs has a profound effect on the brain, stimulating it to increase feel-good hormones which boost our mood.
To relax
Meditative music has a cathartic effect on us, improving our mood and inducing relaxation of both the body and mind.
Research has shown the calming sounds of piano, nature, and string-instruments are very effective in helping you to relax.
It is an aid in cases of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Even people who already have some brain damage can partially or totally recover some memories, and neurological processes learned with the help of very rhythmic sounds or music.
Music therapy
Music therapy is a clinical and research-based practice in which music is used to enhance a person’s overall mood and well-being.
Music therapists are trained to incorporate a range of music-making methods as they support and work with their clients to achieve good mental health.
Music therapy is a creative and holistic approach to healing, as well as the development of constructive and positive coping strategies.
Anyone can benefit from music therapy, including those suffering from depression, anxiety, substance abuse, autism, neurological diseases, personality disorders, insomnia, and dementia
Because music evokes positive emotions and stimulates reward centres in the brain, music therapy is used to alleviate patients through
Singing or chanting
Playing musical instruments
Dancing to music
Songwriting
Relaxing and meditating to music
Research has shown that music can be very helpful in the management of pain.
One study of fibromyalgia patients found that those who listened to music for just one hour a day experienced a significant reduction in pain compared to those in a control group.
At the end of the four-week study period, participants who had listened to music each day experienced significant reductions in feelings of pain and depression.
While listening to music at any point in time was effective, the researchers noted that listening to music pre-surgery resulted in better outcomes.
The review looked at data from more than 7,000 patients and found that music listeners also required less medication to manage their pain.
There was also a slightly greater, though not statistically significant, improvement in pain management results when patients were allowed to select their own music.