Music is Therapy

I have always been a fan of music from musical instruments, to new songs from my favorite artist, to singing and performing with my family. From a young age music has always been a very big and important part of my life. My father intended to turn me and four  siblings into musical prodigies. We sang in musical choir, performed for individuals at nursing homes, sang in church, sang the songs he wrote for us and performed at our yearly summer camps. As I grew up music became a form of expression and  a way to escape what I called “the chaos of the world.”

Although I already gained a very positive perspective of music and its benefits, there is now scientific research that shows  the benefit of music on an individual's physical, emotional, and cognitive functioning. There are also studies on music as a form of neurological therapy. “The human brain and nervous system are hard-wired to distinguish music from noise and to respond to rhythm and repetition, tones and tunes.” Music is a part of many societal norms such as marketing tactics, restaurants, and television. Like any sound, music arrives at the ear in the form of sound waves. The external ear collects sound waves, and the ear canal funnels them to the eardrum. Music has a major impact in our society and most individuals' lives. 

Growing up, music became an escape and coping mechanism to relieve stress and lower my anxiety. Music therapy has been found to help many conditions, including anxiety. Listening to music can help  us feel relaxed and at ease. Since Ancient Greek times, music has been used to heal the mind and body. Music throughout history has been used to help and heal individuals. Hence why, music therapy is popular today. Music therapy is a type of expressive therapy that involves a large variety of music-related activities, such as singing, improvising, moving, playing musical instruments, and listening to music. Music therapy has been shown to have positive physical, social, and psychological effects. In conclusion, I have grown up experiencing first-hand the beauty of music and if you are an individual who is going through something, music can be a helpful way to help. 

sources:

https://portlandmusictherapy.com/can-music-therapy-reduce-stress-and-anxiety/https://www.unr.edu/counseling/virtual-relaxation-room/releasing-stress-through-the-power-of-music