As the use of MP3 player and use of iPhone in the world, people, in average, listen 2 hours of music per day intentionally and unintentionally. The power of the music is a common sense in people’s head, like playing Mozart to make kids smarter. The soothing and relieving functions of music have been mentioned again and again, and have been well-established in many people’s mind. However, most people does not know how effective the musics can reduce stress and how it can link to our emotions or refresh our logical mind.
Listening to music is an extremely effective tool to relieve stress and manage our emotions. By playing the music quietly and peacefully, it wind down our mind and “refreshing” our bodies, especially for those classical music in slow and peaceful rhythm, like piano songs. Based on the research of music, “This type of music can have a beneficial effect on our physiological functions, slowing the pulse and heart rate, lowering blood pressure, and decreasing the levels of stress hormones.”
In other ways, music can be treated as a unique way of meditation. It blocks the “outside world” and put one totally into rhythm and melody, and in these melodies, one can explore the true soul inside the body and get rid of the distractions around. In this function, it’s another form of meditation, or so called “music meditation.”
According to the experiment of the music research, the participants were asked to fill out the survey of how do they think the music related to their emotions. Most of the people chose “Arousal and mood regulation.” Compare to the other two terms, the music has more personal functions in arousal and regulation, than other factors like social relatedness or self awareness. It reflects the function that has been mentioned in the paragraph on the above. The music helps to block the noisy world and arose one’s soul innately.
Perhaps, many people would feels that listening to the music is a waste of time, not really contributes to achieve anything. However, it does help to reduce the stress and clear one’s mind, which can increase one’s productivity to do better job in the future. Just by putting CDs or audios in the car while one is driving, it can play its function to benefit one in mental. Instead of sticking on the sofa and watching TV, listening more musics and giving a little relax for our body are a way better ways of living.
Citations:
http://www.overcomingbias.com/2012/06/29816.html
http://psychcentral.com/lib/the-power-of-music-to-reduce-stress/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3741536/
http://art.yodelout.com/the-meaning-and-function-of-music/
I really liked this topic and your blog post. I find it so interesting that people spend two hours a day listening to music. That is one twelfth of the day! When I am stressed, I usually find music helpful in alleviating my worries. I have tried meditating before but have been unsuccessful. From now on, I am going to try listening to classical music like you explained. I did some research and found that music doesn’t only relax you, but depending on the pace can make you more alert. Upbeat music also increases optimism and positivity.
http://www.unr.edu/counseling/virtual-relaxation-room/releasing-stress-through-the-power-of-music
I like this topic mainly because I love music. Also I have always believed that music can cause positive mental benefits and relieve stress. I like that you use visual elements in your blog for the reader to clearly understand what research has found. After reading this post I was wondering what music does to someone if it is constantly played very loud, because you mention if music is played quietly it can wind down our minds. But what if it is played loudly? Does it provide opposite effects? This could be something very interesting to research.
The topic is quite related to me. I will listen to music at least 2 hours a day. In sometimes, for example, when I take a nap or read a book, some soft music do help me reduce stress. But I have one doubts to raise to the experiment you post. Did the researchers concern the factors of music types? In my experience, music types means a lot. Different types of music arouse different emotions. I don’t think anybody can relax listening to a hardcore DJ. You may read the article via the link below. It talks about what emotions are elicited from different genres of music.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CB0QFjAAahUKEwikgIqbqNjIAhVIHT4KHQKHAZk&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.users.miamioh.edu%2Fshermalw%2Fedp101as07%2Fgroup1a_gi-project09.doc&usg=AFQjCNG-Y3MEdVe9PqQJnJDywekHoq0Zaw&sig2=W85AZUj9Q9tmTPauyjcu5g&bvm=bv.105841590,d.cWw