Modern people tend to be constantly exposed to stress, feeling either extremely irritated or, conversely, feeling gloomy and depressed.

There are many people who feel stressed and it is affecting their mind and body. One way to relieve stress is to listen to music.

This page will introduce you to the effects that music has on the mind.

Learn how to use music to relieve stress

We live in a stressful society. With so many things to do every day, such as work, housework, and childcare, many people are busy without a moment to catch their breath.

Just having a lot of things to do can cause stress to build up, and many people also experience stress on the commuter train.

Stress is not just something that adults experience, it's also something that children experience. Parental stress can have an impact on children.

Many children probably don't have time to talk to their parents or eat meals together.

Accumulating stress can have a negative effect on the mind and body, which is why some people try desperately to avoid stress.

However, it is impossible to eliminate all sources of stress. The important thing is not to let stress build up, but to find a way to release it effectively.

So, what I would like to introduce today is a method for relieving stress using music. Let's take a look at why music can help relieve stress.

The benefits of music

Music therapy is a form of treatment that uses music. It has a long history, and there are various theories about the relationship between music and medicine dating back to before Christ.

Modern music therapy was born in the United States in the early 20th century, when the New York City Therapeutic Society was founded in 1903.

During World War II, it was believed to help restore morale to wounded soldiers returning home.

The term "music therapy" first came into use in 1950, around the time the American Music Therapy Association was founded.

In Japan, the All Japan Music Therapy Federation was established in 1995, and the Japanese Music Therapy Association was founded in 2001.

From the moment we are born, we are surrounded by sound and music. Even if you don't have any specialized knowledge, you've probably experienced the calming effect of listening to soothing melodies, or the excitement of upbeat rock or pop music.

One well-known example of music therapy is when athletes listen to music before a competition to put themselves in the best mental state. The benefits of music are found in many everyday places.

Music reduces frustration

When you are irritated, the steroid hormone cortisol increases in your blood.

Cortisol is also known as the "stress hormone" and is deeply involved in stress. Because its levels can be measured through saliva tests, it is also used for stress checks.

There is a study that examined changes in cortisol levels before and after listening to music that is effective in stress management.

In the study, six out of eight people experienced a decrease in cortisol levels after listening to music.

It has been shown to reduce irritability, promote relaxation, and improve mood from lethargy to vitality.

The relationship between music and the autonomic nervous system

The autonomic nervous system consists of the sympathetic nervous system, which stimulates the mind and body, and the parasympathetic nervous system, which relaxes the body.

When the balance between these two is disrupted, it becomes a condition called "autonomic nervous system imbalance." The most common case is when the sympathetic nervous system becomes overactive due to stress.

Music has the effect of suppressing this sympathetic nervous system excitement. By putting the mind and body into a relaxed mode, it leads to a state of parasympathetic dominance and restores balance.

Research examining the activity levels of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems has enabled us to see the degree of effectiveness in numerical terms.

According to the survey, the parasympathetic nervous system level rose from 41% before listening to music to 71% after listening to music, demonstrating that music can help improve the balance of the autonomic nervous system.

[By purpose] 3 recommended music to calm your mind

Stress is not one thing.
Choosing the right music for the occasion can help you heal your mind more effectively.

1. When you want to "make the parasympathetic nervous system dominant"

Natural sounds and healing music to regulate the autonomic nervous system

When you want to relax your mind and body, such as after work or before bed, we recommend nature sounds or healing music with specific frequencies.

2. When you want to improve your concentration

Lo-fi hip hop for increased productivity

When you want to concentrate on your work, you need background music that won't distract you.

Lo-fi hip hop has gentle beats and melodies that help you concentrate without distracting you. It's also recommended for those who want to create a comfortable environment, like working in a cafe.

3. When you want to refresh your mood

Jazz and bossa nova to lighten the soul

When you're tired and want to change your mood, music with a slightly faster tempo can be effective.

Jazz and bossa nova, in particular, are characterized by their light and pleasant rhythms. Listening to them when you want to change your mood, such as during your commute or during your break, can brighten your mind and make you feel positive.

summary

When you feel like you're under stress, that's when music comes in to help relieve stress.

You can also play music when you get home and before you go to sleep.

Relieving the stress that has built up throughout the day may also help you sleep better.

Accumulating stress can cause physical and mental illnesses.

By using music to effectively relieve stress, we can live healthy lives every day.