Health and Music

WIKIPEDIA, the online encyclopedia, informs us that the history of music predates the written word. The development of music among humans occurred against the backdrop of natural sounds such as birdsong and the sounds other animals use to communicate.

Music has a profound effect on the listener in a variety of ways. It is a vehicle by which we can express many emotions ranging from sorrow to joy and happiness. It can be used as entertainment or for spiritual worship and meditation. Imagine standing in a huge Cathedral and being enthralled by the sound of a Symphony Orchestra. One cannot help but be moved by the experience.

Music Therapy is a growing health care profession, based on the belief all people have the potential to respond to music and music promotes emotional and mental health and well being. Music therapists use music creatively to bring about change and growth in people with the aim of empowering them to achieve their full potential.

The use of music in therapy has been found to benefit cancer patients, people with depression and children with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Music is also a great stress management tool and can be used to help us become more calm and relaxed.

Perhaps the fact that music predates language is the reason that people like those with Alzheimer’s can relate to it. People with Alzheimer’s may regress in their cognitive processes, however, even when they are cut off and isolated mentally and emotionally from their families and loved ones and the world they once knew, music can be a vehicle to reduce their isolation by stimulating them through their senses.

People who are profoundly deaf can experience music by feeling the vibrations in their body. They may have never heard the spoken word, yet can appreciate music.

A BBC Report states, Researchers from Hong Kong found that children who were given musical training had better verbal memories than those who had not had music lessons. The researchers believe their findings could also help people recovering from a brain injury as well as benefiting healthy children.

Children relate well to music and movement. Babies become settled when they hear the sounds of their mothers’ voice singing lullabies. As they grow older music can help them connect and recognize the types of feelings they are experiencing.

Music is God’s gift to us; some people are blessed with musical talents, and others are blessed by listening and appreciating the sound of music. I seem to have the affliction of being tone deaf, however, this doesn’t stop me appreciating music. I enjoy listening to it when I am driving my car, or walking on the beach listening on the Ipod. Often I hear a tune from bygone days and I’m instantly transported to another time and place.

Inspirational music moves me, perhaps because it communicates directly to my heart and soul. Never mind about the tone or the pitch, I am communicating with my God in a wordless language, where sometimes words could only inadequately express my feelings and emotions.

When I am starting my Quiet Time I enjoy music, I listen to the words and it stops my mind from wandering aimlessly and reminds me that I am connecting to God.

There is a hymn that says ‘Jesus listening in can hear the song I cannot sing’. This means a lot to me. Even though I may not sing it in tune, Jesus knows me and He understands the feelings and emotions that music evokes in me.

by Glennys Williams www.glenniah.blogspot.com