Music Therapy: Using Music For Stress Relief

"Musick has Charms to sooth a savage Breast" was William Congreve's advice in 1697. And it's just as true today. The stresses of everyday life can pile up like so many flies on a piece of sweetmeat at a 4th of July picnic. People are constantly looking for ways to relieve stress that can be done in public or at home without disturbing others. One of the most popular releases is listening to music. The therapeutic effects of music are well known: lowering blood pressure, decreasing pulse, calming the mind. In today's world, anyone who wants to stay constantly plugged in to their favorite music can do so by using a portable music player, such as portable CD player or an IPod.

At home, one can use a clock radio to awaken to soothing music. The first minute of waking is generally hard for many individuals, and pleasant music helps coax the reluctant riser to face the day in good spirits. Bathroom designs now commonly incorporate speakers for music systems, so that the morning ablutions can proceed in the calm protective cocoon of relaxing music. Waterproof radios can be hung up in showers so that you can "boogie with the bubbles" and get clean at the same time. And what could be more fun than listening to your favorite waltzes as you eat your breakfast waffles? If you have equipped your car with good speakers and amplifier, your drive-in commute can remind you of those live concerts you attended in your youth. You may find yourself lingering in the parking lot as you wait for a song to finish before checking into work.

If you commute to work, just plug in the music player and tune out the other commuters. Once at work, your portable music player plus a pair of ear-buds can be your constant companion throughout the day, especially if you have a job where you do not have to talk to anyone. Granted some kind of communication is usually needed in a workplace environment, but earphones can help minimize distracting conversations by clearly announcing "do not disturb!" If your nerves are jangled by an unpleasant interaction on the lunch line, you can let your IPod repair your equanimity and return you a lower stress level. Before you know it, the boss is sneaking out and its quitting time.

Once you arrive back home, are you faced by the stresses of noisy children and a chatty spouse? Nothing like a loud stereo and a closed door to block out all the distraction and give you some "me time". You can prepare for bed knowing that music kept you calm all day long.