With summer officially over and the school year underway, we welcome another year of exams, papers, quizzes, and fighting to keep our GPA’s up. Along with all these burdens we welcome back their right hand man, stress. Stress seems to always be with you in college, while you wildly try to time manage your life between school work, clubs, and other things. However, relieving this stress is only an iPod or iPhone away. What is this cure? Music.
In studies, music has been found to have a soothing effect on a person’s mind and body. Music causes the release dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain, which effects the brains processes that cause movement, emotional response, and the ability to experience pleasure or pain. In a recent study at The University of Albeta, patients between ages 3-11 listened to soothing music while having an IV inserted. It was reported that the patients felt much less pain than the control group which did not listen to the music. Nurses also commented that it was easier to administer the IV while the patients listened to the music because they were more relaxed. Another experiment was done in 2004 on 75 students at the Nursing College of Maryland. The students participated in 6 group drumming session, and it was found that their stress levels were significantly lowered, allowing them to do better in school.
However when it does come to relieving stress and music, some music genres work better than others. Music speed plays a crucial role in the way the brain reacts. Slower music soothes the brain and relieves stress, while a faster more upbeat music causes a person to become energetic and more alert. So remember to play something softer when trying to relieve stress. Lastly, it is also noted that singing along can help relieve some tension. So next time you’re feeling a little stressed, turn on some music and sing like nobodies watching.
Work Cited:
Collingwood, Jane. “» The Power of Music To Reduce Stress – Psych Central.” Psych Central.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Sept. 2014.
Novotney, Amy. “Music as Medicine.” Http://www.apa.org. American Psychological Association, Nov. 2013. Web. 17 Sept. 2014.
“How to Use Music to Reduce or Stress Levels:listening to Relieve Tension.”HubPages. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Sept. 2014.
I stumbled upon the same article when researching my topic and I agree a hundred percent with the article. Thanks for sharing!
This article definitely got me thinking about what other things music helps! This got me thinking why sick children go through music therapy to help them get better. Music therapy uses music to allow patients to heal. I found it fascinating that music therapists interact with sick kids on their physical, emotional, and psychological feelings!
It seems that music is not just music anymore. We use music to jam ou too, to get us motivated at places such as the gym, and now to relax. I am a huge music junkie which is why I am so pleased to know hear that it releases stress. I know that whenever I have to work on a big assignment, such as this, I find it must enjoyable to listen to soothing music like John Mayer. I could always tell that doing this calmed me down and helped me to get my thoughts out and controlled, but what I did not know was what chemical reactions were occuring in my brain to make me feel this way.
Here is a link to help decide what music you should put on playlist to create a better studying and less stressful enviorment.
https://www.examtime.com/blog/music-for-studying/
I definitely agree that music relieves stress. Whenever I feel overwhelmed with school work and extracurricular activities, I always throw a pair of headphones on and listen to music for a while before returning back to reality. While I do enjoy listening to upbeat music, I find that calmer music clears my head more easily and puts me in a relaxed state of mind. Upbeat music sometimes makes me even more anxious and does not allow me to relieve my stress as easily as calmer music. The article I have listed below explains how sound vibrations can help ease the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. In this kind of therapy, low frequency sounds are used to produce vibrations that are applied directly to a person’s body. In a study it was found that this kind of therapy (vibroacoustic therapy), led to improvements in the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
http://www.apa.org/monitor/2013/11/music.aspx
I have to say that usci is my escape from everything! I love music and I don´t know what I would do without it. Actually music has a lots of pros no only by dealing with stress. Music has been used for hundreds of years to treat illnesses and restore harmony between mind and body. Recent scientific studies have attempted to measure the potencial benefits of music.
The have found:
The music can bring order and security to disabled and distressed children.
Reduces stress and anxiety in hospital patients before and after surgery.
Reduce both the sensation adn distress of both chronic and postoperative pain.
Relieve depression and increase self-eestem ratings in erderly people.
Etc.
What I olso love about music is that there is a gender for each person so it doesn´t matter that you find classic music annoying, there is a music gender that would adapt to the person´s needs.
http://psychcentral.com/lib/the-power-of-music-to-reduce-stress/000930
I see the stress-relieving effects that music has in my everyday life. If I have a stressful day at school or I’m not motivated to do my homework, I just play my music and all my struggles go away. In addition, music can really help when I’m feeling down and can’t express myself because then I just play a sad song and it helps me get some of my emotions out in a healthy way. Music can also help Parkinson’s diseases patients by helping them move again in this recent study.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/musicinstinct/video/music-and-the-brain/parkinsonsism-and-musics-ability-to-heal/51/
Yes, I totally agree with this. When I listen to certain kinds of music, such as R&B and Gospel, I feel at ease and I can concentrate on my homework and studies, like right now I am listening to Mariah Carey. Earlier, when I was running, I was listening to upbeat music to keep me motivated, so when you work out, you probably have to listen to that kind of music. I feel as though music has a big impact on one’s daily living. This a blog on the 8 ways that music benefits our brain, it is very interesting and you should read it.
When I first started this semester, I was so overwhelmed and stressed. I realized a few days ago that I haven’t been listening to music as much as I did at home. Since then, I’ve been listening to music in between classes and playing calm music while I study or work on homework. Not only am I less stressed but I also feel like I focus a lot better.
I agree that slower music is better for studying, while more upbeat music is better suited for the gym or a place where energy will help get the job done. A lot of times while I’m studying I will put on slow music to calm myself down and get the work done.
I always listen to music when studying or reading. I agree that it helps to keep me focused and limits my distractions. However, according to University of Phoenix listening to music while studying isn’t very productive for everyone.
http://www.phoenix.edu/forward/student-life/2013/08/should-you-listen-to-music-while-studying.html