The impact of music on the body

Listening to music is a good idea when we are in love, relax or just want to have fun. And how about moments of sadness or pain? It seems, at such times, not to songs and melodies, even if the idea is offered by a psychotherapist. Meanwhile, sometimes music is the best medicine, a consolation and a way to understand yourself. So how does music affect our body and mind? Music therapy is probably the oldest kind of psychological and medical help. The healing power of music was known to primitive peoples. Singing and melodic sounds intensified the action of herbs or were used as a separate medicine. American anthropologist Paul Radin at the beginning of the twentieth century explored the life of North American Indians and made entertaining observations: among the Ojibwa people there were people called jessakids, they treated simply by sitting near the patient and singing songs to the accompaniment of their pumpkin rattles. Similarly, in winnibago, those who received strength from the spirit of the bear could heal the wounds with songs. In the Bible, King Saul, when the evil spirit tortured him, called the skillful harpist David. Homer writes about Odysseus' grandfather - Autolycus, who cured a grandson wounded on hunting by singing. Pythagoras gathered in the evenings of pupils, and after listening to special tunes, they dreamed of peaceful and prophetic dreams. He also reassured the drunkard who was about to set fire to the house.

He spoke of the influence of music and Pythagoras in his doctrine of ephrathy - when a person finds a certain rhythm in his deeds, speeches and thoughts. Not only the philosophers noticed this effect, but also, for example, the military - they were interested in any means of raising morale among the soldiers. The Arabs believed that music is useful to animals and that the herds increase if the shepherd sings well. Modern scientists have found out that cows are getting milked, if animals are given to listen to Mozart during the day. His biographer, doctor and art critic Peter Lichtental wrote a book about the influence of music on the body, then in psychiatric hospitals began to use it to calm patients. In the 1930s, another doctor, Hector Schum, in the book "The impact of music on health and life" also tells of a woman who noticed the connection between listening to certain music and stopping an epileptic fit. Since that moment, when she barely sensed the onset of symptoms, she began to listen to her favorite tunes and thus overcame the disease. In the twentieth century, music therapy became an independent direction, moving from separate entertaining observations to systematic research. Experimentally proved its effectiveness in recovery after surgery, treatment of children's dyslexia and autism, as well as in helping those who are experiencing a difficult period in life, too much work or preparing for a difficult exam.

Music therapy is a very loyal and at the same time effective method. There are no people to whom it would be contraindicated. Music has the maximum effect on the emotional state of a person: depending on the tact, rhythm, mood of the work, a change in the vibrational flow occurs, and this affects certain systems of the body. His reserve forces are mobilized, an emotional resource is connected, and this helps to cope with psychosomatic problems. For example, listening to alternating tempos - from fast melody to slow - improves the performance of the cardiovascular system; rhythmic music promotes the launch of protective functions of the body; quiet and calm helps to relax and retire.

When the pain goes away
The sounds of nature - the noise of the forest or rain, the singing of birds help relieve tension. Music contributes to the release of endorphins - substances that help to survive stress. It is often included during operations in Western clinics, this reduces pain.

Psychologists at the University of California investigated 30 people suffering from migraines. For five weeks, one group of participants in the experiment listened to their favorite tunes, the second performed relaxation exercises, and the third did nothing special. At the time of the onset of migraine, all received similar analgesics. It turned out that on those who listened to music, the medicine acted faster. Later it turned out that even a year later those who continued to listen to favorite melodies were less likely to experience seizures, and the migraine itself became less powerful and ended more quickly.

In the postoperative period, it is recommended to listen to any quiet works that you like. The famous British neurologist and neuropsychologist Oliver Sachs talks about elderly people who are being rehabilitated after severe strokes. One of the band members did not speak or move. One day the music therapist played the melody of an old folk song on the piano, and the patient made some sounds. The therapist began to play this melody often, and after several meetings the man said a few words, and a little later the speech returned to him. Physicians have long been investigating how music affects health. It increases immunity, speeds up the metabolism and recovery processes are more active. Analgesics are religious works, they reduce both mental and physical pain, and lovers of cheerful songs live longer. Instruments also matter: organ music is most useful.

Different tools can have a beneficial effect on all systems. Winds improve digestion. Listening to keyboards normalizes the work of the stomach. The sound of the guitar improves the condition of the heart. The drum roll gives an optimistic mood to the spine. Subtle harp motifs help to cope with lung problems. Accordion improves the work of vessels, the flute helps the lungs, and the tube with radiculitis. It is important at the same time that the rhythm also corresponds to the desired emotional state.

Everyone has his own music
Individual musical preferences depend not only on mood, but also on a specific moment or stage in life, on what is actual for us. Do not make a teenager listen to Rachmaninoff's symphony - at his age he "waits for change," and the complicated work will only provoke irritation. So, heavy rock music gives emotional recharging, promotes physical activity, splash of aggression and strong emotional experiences in socially acceptable frames. In the reggae genre, there is both a relaxation and a protest potential. And popular music is good when it is necessary to reassure revolutionary moods. Pregnant women and mothers of babies are recommended to listen to classical music, but only that which is pleasant to the mother, because the child is in a fine attunement with the mother's body. Instrumental compositions without excessive arrangements timbrally correspond to the rhythm of the work of our internal organs. Rhythmic, with elements of ethnics folk art, will decorate any holiday, and a tranquil, lyrical melody will set the mood for peace.

Changing mood
Outstanding psychiatrist Vladimir Bekhterev noticed that thanks to music, you can strengthen or reduce your emotional state. And music can be divided into activating, tonic and relaxing, soothing. American doctor Raymond Bar, who has been working in the cardiology department of a large clinic for a long time, believes that half an hour of listening to suitable music can replace 10 g of Valium, a drug that is used for muscle spasms and anxious states, no matter what they are caused.

Hours, during which the family together listening to music or playing musical instruments, can be key to communication and understanding. And it is not so important what these tools will be like and how well you own them. Even a false melody, performed sincerely and under the general friendly laughter, can be useful. If children recommend that you listen to what they like, do not reject their offer. So you can better understand them and in turn offer them some melodies - or those that you like, or those that can support them and help. And remember that classical music is always good, but not always necessary.