Whenever
I'm tense and can't relax, I find that listening to certain songs can
calm me and take me away from the stress. Some of my favorite soothing
piano pieces are Erik Satie's Gymnopedie No. 1 and Dustin O'Halloran's Opus 23.
Music can provide a
healthy escape from our worried minds. Try turning on a song that you
really enjoy. Focus on the rhythm, bass notes, melody or harmonies.
Listen to the lyrics closely. Look for elements of the song that you
didn't notice before. Or simply close your eyes and allow any feelings
arise from immersing yourself in the sounds.
If you really want to rock out, Uma suggests any Bruce Springsteen Song :).
You can also play
music to unwind, by singing, learning a new instrument, or practicing
one you already know. This can be helpful because it enables us to be
present in the moment, by focusing our thoughts and energy into the act
of performing or practicing. We are transported away through studying
pieces and feeling vibrations in our body as we belt out notes or blow a
horn. We can concentrate on manipulating keys or strings under our
fingers, or thrashing out beats on the drums.
Some studies suggest
that music also provides relief to hospital patients, reducing their
need for pain medication. For some insights into how music can
stimulates the brain and improve our health, check out 'The Power of Music' to Affect the Brain, NPR.
-Nhien
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