Stress is a powerful emotion that impacts both our mental and physical well-being. Managing this biological impact is essential for maintaining optimal health. Music has been long recognized for its healing abilities, providing a therapeutic outlet for those suffering from stressful or anxious emotions. It has a unique ability to trigger positive emotions that relieve feelings of stress and worry, soothing the mind. Beyond simple listening, actively making music can have even more profound benefits.
This blog will explore the benefits of learning music, highlighting how this practice can reduce anxiety and serve as a valuable tool for stress management.
The Negative Effects of Stress on the Body
Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension that is overbearing, disrupting our natural equilibrium. Stress can be triggered by various factors, from singular events to a series of actions leading to heightened emotions. The uncomfortable feelings caused by stress can have harmful effects on the body, such as increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and exhaustion. If left unmanaged, these effects can lead to serious health issues, such as a stroke, heart attack, or an increased risk of hypertension.
Cognitive Benefits of Learning Music
Music has long been valued for its natural healing properties, acting as an outlet for those seeking serenity. However, participating in music by learning a new instrument boasts many positive benefits. Not only are you expanding your skill set, but you are also gaining an effective practice for stress management. Playing music can:
Reduce Anxiety
Distracting the mind by utilizing mental stimulation is a powerful approach to managing anxiety. Learning music requires much focus, offering mental stimulation to distract the mind from other stressors. Mastering a new skill can also help boost self-esteem, offering positive reinforcement to counter feelings of negativity.
Improve Mood
Data shows that music positively affects various hormones, including serotonin, dopamine, adrenaline, and testosterone. These hormones play crucial roles in regulating mood and physiological functions such as blood pressure and breathing. Additionally, certain songs can evoke positive memories, offering a sense of nostalgia that can significantly enhance your mood.
By learning to play a particular song, you can connect with these positive memories and experience a sense of achievement and emotional expression. This process combines the benefits of hormonal regulation, emotional release, and the joy of nostalgia, making learning music a powerful tool for mood enhancement and stress management.
Promote Relaxation
Stress can trigger the adrenal gland to produce cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. When the body is exposed to stress for an extended period, it can cause ongoing tension that leads to a chronic condition. Engaging with music can release dopamine, reduce cortisol levels, and provide a natural stress calmer to the body. In turn, this promotes relaxation.
The Therapeutic Power of Music
Whether you are a seasoned musician or a curious beginner, incorporating music-making into your life can be a powerful tool for managing stress. If you’re curious about where to start, consider the following instruments.
Piano: It is relatively simple to learn basic scales and notes on the piano while obtaining a melodic experience, even as a beginner.
Guitar: The guitar may be tricky to start, but with the right focus and concentration, many find that strumming patterns can be relaxing.
Drums: Drumming offers a powerful way to relieve pent-up stress and energy. New to this instrument? There are many instructors providing drum lessons to help you get started.
Violin: While potentially complicated to start, the violin offers a symphonic expression of music requiring focus, concentration, and meticulous finger placement that challenges the mind.
It’s important to find an instrument that resonates with you personally to help you connect on a deeper level. For optimal results, start small with manageable goals and even consider taking weekly lessons with a professional to drive progress over time. Music lessons can be a valuable stress management tool for the long haul.
Learning music can be challenging, especially for beginners. It’s essential to stay patient and persistent. This approach will lead to rewarding outcomes in managing stress and enhancing your skills as a musician.
Learning music is not just about mastering an instrument; it’s about finding a powerful tool for stress management and emotional well-being. By integrating music into your life, you can experience its many benefits, from cognitive enhancement to emotional healing.
About the Author: Zach Meade is the owner and founder of Musicians Made. From the great Pacific Northwest, Meade has over 20 years of experience in private music lessons. Meade has a BA in music performance from Whitworth University. He has won numerous awards and accolades as a musician and has played all over the country. As a Queen Creek resident, he is a professional musician who currently works as Music Director at Desert Rock Church in Florence. He teaches private drum lessons, beginning guitar lessons and beginning piano lessons.
RESOURCES
- https://psychcentral.com/stress/the-power-of-music-to-reduce-stress#how-does-it-work
- https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/79650 https://healthforlifegr.com/music-for-stress-reduction/
- https://musiciansmade.com/lessons/drum-lessons-queen-creek
- https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/body#:~:text=Theconsistentandongoingincreaseheartattackorstroke
July is BIPOC Mental Health Month
Observed each July and formerly recognized as National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, BIPOC Mental Health Month highlights the unique mental health challenges and needs of Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC). Please join us in recognizing the struggles of BIPOC and bringing awareness to the need for adequate, accessible, culturally relevant mental health treatment, care, and services.
Black, Latino, Asian, and Native American people have higher rates of some mental health disorders and face greater disparities in getting help than White people, largely due to lack of access to services. With proper care, 70 – 90% of people with mental illness experience significant reduction in symptoms and improved quality of life. However, there are barriers to individuals seeking help for themselves or loved ones: access to and cost of treatment, stigma, and availability of local, culturally appropriate mental health care resources.
In 2022, Laurel House, the sponsor of rtor.org, established the Social Work Racial Equity Scholarship. The goal of the Scholarship is to cultivate more Black and Latino social workers who are committed to social change and increasing access to mental health care treatment by communities of color. Each year, a $10,000 scholarship is awarded to a Black or Latino student from Connecticut enrolled in a Master of Social Work program in Connecticut or New York. Two runner-up prizes of $1,000 and $500 are also awarded.
www.rtor.org and its sponsor Laurel House are committed to the advancement of racial equity and social justice and to making mental health services available to all.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-in-denim-long-sleeves-playing-acoustic-guitar-3776838/
The opinions and views expressed in any guest blog post do not necessarily reflect those of www.rtor.org or its sponsor, Laurel House, Inc. The author and www.rtor.org have no affiliations with any products or services mentioned in the article or linked to therein. Guest Authors may have affiliations to products mentioned or linked to in their author bios.
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