by Annalou Mack

Created on: April 10, 2009   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

It was a hectic day; everything seemed to go wrong. Now is the time to put a CD in the stereo, sit down in an easy chair, lay your head back and relax. Let the strains of your favorite music flow through your body to soothe away the stress of the day.

The healing power of music has been known since ancient times. We can guess that early man discovered the effect upon his body and mind when he rhythmically beat upon a hollow log with sticks. Examples of the powers of music are found in the Bible and in the writings of Plato and Aristotle to name a few.

In the United States the use of music as therapy began after World War I when musicians went into the Veterans Administration Hospitals to play for those suffering from traumatic war injuries. Such programs were further expanded following World War II. The success of these volunteer efforts led to the founding of a music therapy degree program in 1944 at Michigan State University. Today many universities offer degrees in Music Therapy.

Music therapy is used in different medical settings, but it can be of significant benefit in your everyday life. It can have an effect on your psychological and physiological being as well as your cognitive and emotional state.

The human body is greatly influenced by sounds and responds to tones and frequencies. It works on many levels to relieve stress and change your mood. There is no one style of music that is better than another. It depends upon your preference and it can be either produced by you playing your favorite musical instrument or by passively listening.

One of the first responses to music is to increase deep breathing. Music can give a more restful sleep, lower blood pressure and give a boost to the immune system.

Other ways that music can be of benefit in everyday life are to:
* Enhance creative thinking
* Assist in the use of visualization and meditation
* Improve memory
* Calm nerves and help you stay focused
* Promote healing
* Bring a positive state of mind
* Ease muscle tension

Some common ways to use music therapy in your life are to:
* Sit or lay quietly while listening to music
* Have music playing in the background while working
* Combine exercise with music playing on the walkman.
* Play music while practicing yoga or guided imagery
* Listen to music while bathing in a tub
* Concentrate on the lyrics of music with positive affirmations.

Through the ages people have used music as therapy without actually putting a name to it. To quote William Congreve, "Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak." The next time you feel stressed or cannot sleep, try making your own music or listening to a recording of your favorite songs and discover the effects for yourself.

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