Six Ways to Use Music Therapy
Music therapy is an established practice during which time highly trained therapists use music to help to affect a person. Using music to assist with achieving a goal of any kind or to help in a healing process does this. The music may be used to help in communication, as relaxation or rehabilitation therapies for stroke or accident victims. Studies have proven that music has a calming effect, which rhythm reminds people of the heart beat heard in the womb and this too comforts and calms. It makes you feel protected and safe. Interestingly, it does not matter what type of music a person uses. It only matters that it is music they like. Anything from classical to rock, country or heavy metal will have the same affect. Music works to calm and fight stress because it promotes deep breathing and the release of more serotonins. Therapy can be at a clinic or at home.
One way that will be suggested to get rid of stress is to have what is termed a sound bath. Those of you who like to have a warm bath when stressed out will understand this term. Put on a piece of music that you really enjoy that will not make you want get up and dance or sing along with but something that you can concentrate on and relax along with. Then lie down somewhere that will make you feel comfortable. It can be your bed, the couch or the floor as long as you can hear the music and will not want to shift where you are lying. If you prefer, you can put your headphones on and then you can block the rest of the world and not be distracted by anything. A sound bath can relive the day’s stress.
Depending what you are looking for a slow piece may be better. This will help to slow the heart rate and one’s breathing. Work on slowing down your breathing and letting the music be the only thing in your world. This will go a long way to reducing stress.
On the other hand, if your day at work was boring maybe you are coming home looking to liven your day up. In that case choose a different genre of music. Something faster with more rhythm will work better for you in this case.
Another method of calming down with music is to go for a walk using your walkman. This puts you outside, will allow you to enjoy a bright sunny day, a warm wind blowing through your hair as you pace yourself with a walk around the neighborhood or through your local park. It will improve your breathing and lets you combine exercise, visual imagery and music to bring you to a calm place.
Since the sights and sounds of nature has a natural healing element to it if you can a walk on the beach, in the park this can help you relax. You can sit and enjoy the birds singing or the water gently washing up on the beach. Unfortunately very few people live in places where they can enjoy such a lovely scene. But, there are tapes that you can listen to that will provide you with the music of nature and help you to relax. These are available in most music stores and you will soon notice how much better you feel after a twenty-minute session.
If you feel stressed but do not know what piece of music you should put on the best thing to do is go with an old favorite. These pieces usually have good memories associated with them and that too will help you relax.
