USING MUSIC TO BEAT STRESS, ANXIETY, AND DEPRESSION

USING MUSIC TO BEAT STRESS, ANXIETY, AND DEPRESSION

People of all ages, genders, and nationalities, experience stress, anxiety, and depression and it seems like every year the world moves at a faster pace. Due to advancements in technology, every person’s obligations have changed to the extent that it becomes difficult for some to handle. Today, stress, anxiety, and depression disorders are the most common mental illness around the world with a great number of adults affected every year, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

Everyone experiences stress and anxiety at one time or another. The difference between them is that stress is a response to a threat in a situation while Anxiety is a reaction to the stress. Living with anxiety is hardly easy, when any day can include ridiculous fear of situations, excessive nervousness and woolliness, and even the inability to relax at any given time. On the other hand, depression is a mental health disorder characterized by persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, causing significant hurt in daily life. In this blog, you will get to know how to cope up with S.A.D by listening and playing music.

Music reduces depression and regulates anxiety in various ways. One of the first changes that music can produce is an increase in deep breathing. "Where words fail, music speaks." - Hans Christian. Music therapy research has suggested that the brain, or at least specific parts of the brain, is affected by elements of music. In addition to that, research shows that music increases the production of serotonin in our bodies. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood sleeping, eating, and digesting. 

Research has shown that music can reduce your heart rate and promote a higher body temperature, which are indicators of relaxation. Researchers suggest that the rhythm or the beat of the music is what produces a calming effect on us through our subconscious. Experts liken it to the heartbeat that we heard in our mother’s womb which we associate with a safe and protective environment.

Physical activities are among the proven way to reduce stress. Researchers show that regular participation in aerobic exercises decrease overall levels of tension, elevate and stabilize mood, and improve sleep and self-esteem. However, it is rare to find the gym or other person doing physical activities in the absence of music.

Music interventions reduce depression and agitation for
old people.

Music plays a very important role in this because it boosts the courage and strength of the person and let him/her stay on a focus that later on make him forgot all those issues or workload he/she had to do. In this way, the person forgot those problems while his/her mind is concentrated on those physical activities. Some people also practice mind-body practices of breathing exercises, yoga, and meditation. These also greatly involve music because it helps them to concentrate much on their tough as well as relieving SAD. Music has a vast style that is liked depending on the situation. For instance, flute music and slow country music style are good for those practicing those mindful practices. One benefit of listening to music while meditating is a reduction in the levels of stress and anxiety. In fact, when you listen to pleasant and soft music during meditation, you will feel calmer and the pressures of life fade.

Some people become depressed while in the office or other work. Having music play in the background while working, even without paying full attention to it has been found to lower stress in the workplace. Many companies play music in the background to help employee productivity. However, it is important to listen to your music style since it has a vast style. People have different tastes in music and it is important to listen to music that you truly enjoy. It is important not to use music that you associate with a sad time in your life. If you are using music to relax the last thing you want is to hear a sad song that brings back bad memories.