"The Amazing Benefits of Music Therapy!!"

Hi Friends!

Sorry it's been so long since my last post... life has been crazy busy.  I hope everyone is enjoying the month of February, specifically some of the warm weather we were blessed with last week.  Hopefully a sign that spring is just around the corner!

Today I wanted to share with you (and give you my take on) an article that was e-mailed to me recently from everyday HEALTH, which discusses some of the health benefits of music (specifically women's health benefits).  The basic gist of the article, "The Amazing Benefits of Music Therapy" (which you can read here) is that listening to music/music therapy can significantly reduce stress, help manage pain... it's also good for your heart as music can help lower blood pressure. There is even discussion about how music can be a helpful tool for women going through labor (nothing that will likely ever apply to me, but interesting to note!)  In essence, music has healing power! The article also emphasizes the increased relaxation and emotional release that music can provide, which I can absolutely relate to, and I'm sure many of you can too.

What Benefits Does Music Provide for Me?

Reading this article got me thinking about all the different ways music enhances my life, and I found that it is a big part of nearly every aspect of my every day!  Music is something I cannot imagine living without, and I truly believe in the emotional and physical health benefits it provides.  When a person tells me he/she really isn't into music, or doesn't like it (what???), I am usually in disbelief... what does that person do when he/she is sad, or happy, or getting ready to go out, or riding in the car... no music, really??  Does not compute!!  Every opportunity that I have to listen to music, I take it!

On weekdays, after my morning dose of Preston & Steve on WMMR, it's all music, all day!  I pop the headphones in for the walk to work, listen to Pandora all day at my desk -- usually either a jazz (Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk) or singer-songwriter (Sara Bareilles, Corinne Bailey Rae, Regina Spektor) type station, headphones on the walk home, and then more jazz while I'm cooking "dinner" (read: "soup", "pasta", or "cereal").  At the gym, it's more music -- if I'm doing my own thing it's high-tempo jams on the headphones, or if I'm taking a class there is always music pumping.  Many nights I even fall asleep to music as well (jazz on WRTI).  What can I say, music helps keep me calm throughout the workday, and actually keeps me company in a way when I'm alone -- either at home,  taking a walk by myself, sitting in the park at lunch... it's not just nice to listen to, but it's an outlet, almost in a similar way a friend would be.  I'm sure my upstairs roommate must be extremely tired of hearing certain songs on repeat (and me singing along) when I'm home, but he hasn't complained yet!  :)

Friday nights, I lately have found myself listening to 106.1's "Live at the Coastline" with DJ Frank Cerami, which pumps me up and gets me feeling happy about life at the end of a long week!  I then I ease into my weekends with WXPN's "Sleepy Hollow" program early on Saturday and Sunday mornings -- "quiet sounds" that the website describes as a "blend of jazz, folk, instrumental, and contemporary acoustic music."  The program is ridiculously relaxing, and significantly reduces my stress levels (don't we all need that?)  Late Saturday mornings, I often listen to NPR's "Crossover" program, hosted by Jill Pasternak, the focus of which is typically classical and acoustic-jazz based, which continues my relaxation.  And on Sunday mornings, there is nothing better than enjoying a cup of coffee, windows open, sun shining, while listening to "Breakfast with The Beatles" from 7-9 am on WMGK, followed by "Brunch with The Beatles" from 10am -12pm on WOGL (98.1).  (Yes, I still listen to a RADIO, which is at least 15 years old, if not older.)

What's on my iPod Playlist?

I already mentioned some of my favorites to listen to on Pandora, and some of my preferred radio programs.  So what do I listen to when I pop in the headphones or throw the iPod in the dock?  The answer is, a complete variety of music that spans all genres and generations -- it all depends on my mood!  Sometimes I'm sad, and I want to hear a sad song to help me get through whatever it is I'm going through!  If I need a good cry, you can bet I'm going to put on some Coldplay or whatever song just "gets to me" at that point in time.  But then other times I'm sad, and the last thing I want to hear is any song with lyrics, because let's face it, I'll find a way to relate any lyrics to my current situation.  (Don't tell me you don't know what I'm talking about!)  In those instances, I'll turn on some classical or jazz that is sure to soothe me (except for Dinah Washington -- much as I love her, every single one of her songs has the ability to make me cry these days).  When I feel like getting pumped up, lately it's been anything by Earth Wind & Fire, "Lady" by the Commodores, a few Rihanna jams, and a couple other pop/hip-hop tunes that are completely silly and I love every minute of it!  When I'm feeling "in love" (which is rare - ha!), what is better than listening to a good old-fashioned love song?? (Some of the Dinah Washington songs fit well into this category :) My point here is that music really helps tap into and release different emotions.  It can make you feel good, bad, better, worse, but whatever feeling it is, the point is that the music is helping you feel it, and not only is that something special, but it is healthy!!  So tell me, what's on your playlist??


Can't Forget LIVE Music!

Of course the benefits of enjoying music extends beyond iPod playlists and radio programs -- I try to get out as often as possible to see live music as well!  From the Tuesday night jazz jams at 23rd Street Cafe and Chris' Jazz Cafe to weekend nights seeing live bands -- both original and cover bands -- something about listening to live music is even more powerful.  It gets you to tap your foot, get out of your seat and move your feet, feel the music inside of you... not only is it relaxing, but for me, it really helps to forget about all the stress and BS in life, let loose a little... emotionally disconnect from all the crap and connect to the awesomeness that is the live performers in the room and the music they are producing.  Not only is it emotionally healthy, but getting out to see some live music benefits you physically as well because let's face it, if you're on your feet dancing, you're helping your heart and burning calories!! :)

Musical Performance

The article points out that you don't have to be a musician to appreciate the benefits that music provides, and I suppose this is very true.  However, I would say that I am extra lucky to be a musician myself, because I do see added benefits from that ability. For instance, I can sit down at the piano and play a song that makes me feel good, belt out a sad tune, or even write my own. Talk about a fantastic release!  I am certainly a far cry from a great songwriter, but when I do write a song that really means something to me, the waves of emotions I feel, and the ability to release them through lyrics, music, and sometimes tears... well, that's really some kind of therapy right there!

I also find that I benefit greatly from performing in groups.  Some of my fellow musicians have also become some of my closest friends, and I think they would agree that when performing together, whether it be in a pit orchestra, choir, or ensemble setting of any kind, that feeling of being in sync with the other performers, feeling the same emotions together, "locking in" on certain sections in a song where you have that "wow" moment... it's pretty cool stuff!  It's also just FUN to play in a group, to connect with the other musicians, and candidly it's another way to get away from the "crap" in life -- perhaps comparable to diving into and getting lost in a good book!


Concluding Thoughts

I'm sure I could go on and on about the benefits of music... do all kinds of additional medical research, etc... but I'll spare you that... for now!  I just wanted to share some of my own personal thoughts on it.  I'll let you read the article and come to your own conclusions, and I'd be interested to hear what you think -- feel free to leave your thoughts in the "comments" section, below.  In case you missed the link above, you can read the article that was the inspiration for this blog by clicking here.

Here's to your health -- and to good music!
Tina