Music. It’s the central pride and joy of most cultures. It puts you to sleep and wakes you up. It’s the sound of success, failure, impending danger and jubilation in movies. It’s the soundtrack of your life from the music you listen to on your I-pod. You listen to music for all types of occasions, from a thrilling rock and roll mash pit to the Christmas Spectacular. You have that Celine Dion song that makes you believe your heart will go on and that favorite track list that makes you dance around like Floyd Mayweather at the MGM. Your actions, thoughts and feelings are heavily influenced by the music you listen to.

There is a deeper connection to music than just getting you riled up or sleepy. Research shows that there are physiological and psychological beneficial effects. Music as therapy, and predominantly relaxing music, has been used as additional treatment for strokes, dementia, blood pressure, and heart disease. According to a 2009 Cochrane study, music therapy was utilized in various ways to treat depression and other anxiety disorders. So putting on a little Beethoven or Mozart while your boss is ranting about your quarterly sales figures will inhibit you from taking this verbal assault as a personal insult to you and yours.

Therapists use active clinical techniques to involve patients in improvised dialogue, helping them reach emotional awareness, and a deeper level of self-understanding. Receptive techniques involve pre-composed music for reflection, relaxation and meditation and a gradual change of mood state. These techniques help you slow your heart rate, empty your mind and relax your muscles.

So whether you’re looking to delve deeper into yourself and attempt to open your third eye with some Chinese Oriental composition or start dancing like Nicki Minaj at the BET Awards, music will help you get the exact therapy you want.

Written by Maria Schumann for bodono.

Maria Schumann is a writer living in NYC.
About Maria Schumann: “I love writing poetry, breaking a sweat at bikram yoga, and reading serial killer books while cooking. I love watching documentaries and I am always game for a crazy night of poker. Understanding the importance of a healthy relationship with my body and mind inspires me to help others come to a symbiotic relationship with their bodies and minds as well. Through writing I am able to reach people with my words and hopefully inspire positivity and change.”