How does Music Affect Your Health

Most of us have a favourite song that we like to listen to. Some songs have strong memories attached to them, others are for dancing around and letting your hair down. In fact we even choose different types of music when we are in different moods.

If you are active and vibrant you might want a song with a good beat that helps you dance. If you are feeling low and blue you might want to just sit still and listen to some soft instrumental music.

In Indian Music Traditions there are special “Ragas” for different times of the day. Some for morning may not be sung at night. In fact some Ragas are also specific to seasons. One thing is for sure and that is the fact that man can not survive without music.

In India we have a thriving film music industry. A film’s success is sometimes not as great as that of its music. The effort and plagiarism put into each album will bear witness to the fact that music is big business.

Not for nothing is it called the Universal Language. It will bring joy to your heart with its lilting melodies and make you want to dance. Dance is incomplete without Music. Humans express themselves through their full bodies with dancing set to music. It is also a wonderful exercise. It tones your full body and is an excellent stress buster. It’s not a bad idea to blast music at the end of the day and just dance your tensions away.

Playing music involves self discipline and indulges your creativity as well. Not everyone can be a Bach or a Beethoven but stringing a tune together can be immensely satisfying for the composer. The recognition that you get will enhance your self image even if it is just the recognition of family and friends. It is excellent for boosting your confidence level. Even if you can not play an instrument you can benefit from music at large.

Are you stuck in a traffic jam on your way to work? Don’t get frustrated even before your day begins. Just turn on your music system and listen to some favourite tracks. Before you know it, the route will be clear and you will be at the office after a delightful drive.

Why sweat and curse over the situation when nothing you say will help you? As an alternative measure, use music to soothe yourself and give a good start to your day.

Speaking for myself I would feel half dead if I ever went through a day when I did not hear a single note of music. I love to sing and dance at home. I go so deep into the music that I am dancing to that if by chance someone calls me I don’t hear them. I remember it used to bother my mother no end that I would blast the music system in my room and not reply to her when she shouted instructions to me.

I also remember a time when she walked into the room and switched off the music mid-song and I felt as though my heart had stopped along with the music. Now I realize that the deep concentration that I would afford my music was in a way a meditation exercise.

Unfortunately I get distracted much more easily nowadays and have never been able to accomplish entering that state of trance that I could earlier, in the last decade or so. I still enjoy music and it remains a lifeline to me.

How musical are you?