I tend to be a broadcast junky, listening to political talk shows, the news, and even, as my family will attest, some pretty annoying sports talk radio.  It’s almost like an addiction, getting my fix of updates and opinions that raise my blood pressure and get me worked up.  But as the season changes and I think ahead to winter, the thought of holiday music makes me smile.  For some reason the sound of holiday cheer, however corny or predictable, lifts my mood. So with this week’s post I’m going to review how good music can be for us, in hopes of motivating me to tap my foot instead of clench my fist as the election approaches.

There is a huge body of research to support the psychological benefits of listening to music.  It reduces stress, increasing the activity of neurotransmitters and hormones involved in relaxation.  It has proven to be as effective as an hour long massage!  Music alters brain wave activities, creating the wave patterns similar to people who are meditating.  It can lift your mood and relieve symptoms of depression. (Although, sorry to say, heavy metal fans, your type of music actually made people more distressed).  Listening to music, especially without lyrics, helped people focus and improved cognitive performance including memory.  Especially for people prone to freezing up during high stress situations, listening to upbeat music prior  improved their performance (athletic as well as intellectual).  And for those of us prone to road rage?  Turn that dial and sing along to your favorite tune.  Listening to music while driving both increased mood and decreased the incidences of road rage.

And if that hasn’t sold you, how about the health effects?  There is an even more established body of research on the many health benefits of music.  Music eases the intensity of perceived pain and improves outcomes in chronic pain treatment.  It has been used effectively to treat insomnia and improves the quality of sleep.  It helps people stay calm pre and post surgery.  Soothing music has proven to increase blood flow in blood vessels and promote healing.  (Shout out to my dear friend who plays her harp in the cardiac intensive care unit.  The hospital is so sure of its role in patient care, it actually pays her for her time there.)  Playing soft music during a meal slows people down and causes them to eat less and upbeat fast tempo music helps people run faster and increases stamina during a work out.

Ok, have I convinced you or myself yet?  Maybe this is a bit abstract.  I just need to remember how good it makes me feel to turn up the dial and belt it out while in the shower or driving in my car. Suddenly, I’m not thinking about the bills or the to do list.  Instead, I’m born to run, partying like it’s 1999, and feeling it’s a wonderful world.  I never feel as good as that after the evening news!  Like talk, music is cheap, but it’s also good for your heart as well as your soul.