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As far back as Genesis and Exodus, music has been an integral part of mankind's culture. The Israelites went into battle behind the musicians. Natives from every continent and every race celebrate success and mourn defeat with music. Studies show that music can be a mood enhancer whether for good or bad. Don't believe this?

Tune your radio or satellite TV channel to any music station and pay attention to your emotions. Do they soar or plummet? Are your feet tapping, is your heart light and happy or do you feel a bout of the blues coming on?

If you find yourself happy and upbeat, that's great! Your heart rate increases, your brain produces chemicals and hormones which make you feel good and improve your overall mood and physical health.

On the other hand, if you find a bout of the blues coming on, just the opposite is occurring. Your heart rate slows and the hormones and chemicals your brain is producing are toxic to your health so change that station!

Once you prove that music can affect your emotional state, understand it also effects your physical health because disease cannot live in a body that is free from stress and psychological disorders.

Below are some ways we can incorporate music into our daily lives to promote better health.

Exercise to music: This increases your heart rate, elevates your mood and improves upon the physical benefits of exercise. People often walk, run or cycle to the beat of their favorite tunes. These are often upbeat, fast-paced songs that get the feet and hands to moving regardless of where you might be.

Relaxation: Similar to meditation, soft music (instrumentals, sounds of nature) can aid in relaxing the physical body by soothing the mind and emotions. This encourages deep breathing which improves overall health by increasing the blood oxygen levels and secretion of hormones and chemicals in the brain. Relaxation techniques are usually incorporated in short spans of time (five or ten minutes) but have extraordinary effects on overall health.

Meditation: Soft, soothing music aids in relaxation and improves breathing which increases blood oxygen and flow to the brain and other organs, maximizing efficiency. Meditation is usually a longer version of relaxation.

Improved Sleep: When combined with relaxation techniques, music can induce deeper sleep which has far-reaching benefits for both mental and physical health.

Music has proved to calm the most agitated person, turn an angry situation into a less violatol one, and lift the veil of depression from any heart. Try it next time you're feeling out-of-sorts and see how music can help you live a tranquil life.

Learn more about this author, Pamela S Thibodeaux.
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