I believe that you can
change your mood, not by the flip of a switch, but just by changing the song
you are currently listening to. The type
of music you listen to influence your mood and how you are feeling whether the
song you are listening to makes you happy, sad, or excited. I read the article “Music and Emotions” which
stated the already well known fact that children tend to perform better than
their non-musical classmates. Even
though most people do not know why, it is a known fact that music encourages
creativity and has an increasingly positive effect on learning and
intelligence. This all has to do with
the chemicals that are being released by the brain when you hear music.
A study was conducted where they split a
classroom of students in half; one half learned some percussion instruments
while the other half did not learn anything new to do with music. The two groups of students both took two
skills tests. The results were that both
times the children who played an instrument did significantly better. The article states that “music trains the
brain for higher levels of thinking, and it helps people absorb, retain, and
retrieve information.” Music is a great
way to calm yourself down. It can serve
as a distraction and give a sense of control and also stimulate the production
of endorphins. Music, universally, has
become and accepted treatment for calming the mind and body. In studies, music has also increase the abilities
to concentrate, learn, and understand especially for people with Autism and
help them to lead normal and fulfilling lives.
When a song alters your mood, or changes how you feel, that song is
stimulating the production of hormones.
This article also states that an hour of soothing classical music
actually possesses the same effect as a 10mg of valium. The harp is actually one of the most calming
sounds accessible to the human ear. A
Northern Illinois University music professor actually taught students with
Parkinson’s disease to play the harp. It
is also shown that Baroque music can stimulate portions in the brain dealing
with memory, comprehension, and general learning. Music imitating the human heartbeat can also
relax muscle tensions, lower stress, decrease blood pressure, and equalize
respiration according to Krasner-Khait.
There
are many benefits to listening to music and also music therapy. Listening to music has shown to aid the
development of motor skills. Whether it
is playing a certain instrument or just clapping to the beat of a song can
nourish the development of motor skills and body coordination. Another benefit is that people involved in
music therapy have shown to gain more confidence. Learning simple instruments and learning to
sing a song can instill a sense of confidence in patients and also
participating in any activity dealing with music or singing gives a sense of
talent or accomplishment. Also, you have known since you were younger, a slow
song or a lullaby can literally put a person to sleep, which is another
benefit. You do not need sleeping pills
or Nyquil to fall asleep, just a nice, slow, relaxing song. Music therapy, or the prescribed use of music
to maintain and improve emotional, physical, and psychological well being, can
also be set up like a group therapy session.
They can move from energetic to calm songs and can possibly include
singing and then transition to various listening and reacting activities.
Reading this article really expanded my
knowledge on how music really is important in your day to day life. It can excite you when you are happy or calm
you down if you are feeling sad or just want to fall asleep. Music therapy sessions also have proven to be
extremely profitable to anyone who takes these sessions. It helps your coordination, memory, and
decrease stress. All around, it helps
you strengthen your weakness to help you become a stronger and better person
which is what we are all aiming to be.
WORKS
CITED
1.) "Music and Emotions." My Own Little World. Web. 06 Feb. 2012.
<http://quinzavix.50megs.com/peracta/musicandemotions.html>.
