The Health Benefits of Music

Music is a form of art whose main medium is sound. Music has a strong effect on humans and that is why it is often referred to as a source of universal language. Music has been proven to have some health benefits by music psychologists and music therapists. Music can be used to improve or maintain health.  Music maintains physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental health. No doubt, music has a therapeutic effect on the soul and has long been used to help people handle their emotions. Robert Burton, a 17^th century scholar called music ”a sovereign remedy against despair and melancholy’’. History also has it that in the Ottoman Empire, mental illnesses were treated with music. If there are songs you like to tap your feet to or that boost your mood, such songs might just as well be good for your heart. Researchers at the University of Maryland found that when people listened to music that made them feel good, they had better flow of blood, which is good for your blood vessels and heart. Studies show that after a stroke, those that listened daily to their favourite music remembered more, could focus better and were less depressed and confused than those who had not. Though the reason for this is not clear, one possibility is that listening to music involves several parts of the brain. It has also been observed that music therapy may help people with speech challenges from Parkinson’s disease, as Parkinson’s patients may have slurred or unclear speech due to breathing problems or difficulty moving their mouth or tongue. They can learn how to “sing’’ words and hold single syllables to get better breath support through music therapy. If they focus on the rhythm of a piece of music, it might help them move or walk better. Music can also slow down their body when it is overactive. When it comes to cognition, music builds reasoning skills, and for children, it helps them learn and remember fast. Children who regularly play an instrument or sing are more likely to do well in mathematics, science and reading. Music builds self-esteem, makes you look younger, reduces stress, supports physical exercise and facilitates so many other health-related activities.     About the author: Solomon Eko is a writer, photopreneur/photojournalist/photo-artist. He is also a creative content consultant. You can find him on www.wunderbaread.blogsot.com and www.solomonenangeko.blogspot.com. You can also find him on Facebook as Solomon Eko or follow him on Twitter @vonekoz

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This article was first published on 30th December 2014 and updated on January 27th, 2015 at 8:23 am

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