Music As Therapy

Music can counteract stress

Research has shown that music with a strong beat can stimulate brainwaves to resonate in sync with the beat, with faster beats bringing sharper concentration and more alert thinking, and a slower tempo promoting a calm, meditative state.  Also, research has found that the change in brainwave activity levels that music can bring can also enable the brain to shift speeds more easily on its own as needed, which means that music can bring lasting benefits to your state of mind, even after you’ve stopped listening.

With alterations in brainwaves comes changes in other bodily functions. Those governed by the autonomic nervous system, such as breathing and heart rate can also be altered by the changes music can bring. This can mean slower breathing, slower heart rate, and an activation of the relaxation response, among other things. This is why music and music therapy can help counteract or prevent the damaging effects of chronic stress, greatly promoting not only relaxation, but health.

Excerpted from http://stress.about.com/od/tensiontamers/a/music_therapy.htm

 

 

Chanting for Stress Relief

There is so much ancient wisdom that can be applied to today's stress-related disorders.  In the earliest cultures, chanting was used as a healing tool by individuals, Shamans, and in a group setting.  There's something very powerful about chanting in unison; the vibrations are incredible and wonderfully healing.

Dr. Ranjie Singe, author of the book Powerful Self-Healing Techniques, found that chanting causes the release of the hormone melatonin. In many studies, low melatonin levels have been shown to lead to depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Years ago, Dr. Herbert Benson of Harvard Medical School observed that chanting helps to cause reduction of heart beat, brain waves and respiration - also known as the “relaxation response.”

On an energetic level, Dr. David Shananoff-Khalsa has found that reciting some specific sacred mantras enables the tongue to stimulate the acupuncture meridians inside the mouth, balancing the flow of chi through the body - especially the pineal gland - thus helping the body to relieve stress.

Chanting Relieves Stress