The effect of stress on physical and emotional wellbeing is only too present in modern life. A growing volume of scientific research demonstrates a strong link between stress and serious physical conditions such as hypertension and heart disease. As far as mental health is concerned, the experience of stress can be the first step on the way to serious neurosis and damage to mental wellness. It is important that we do all we can to ease the experience of stress every time it occurs, in order to prevent the build-up of damaging habits and overall tension in the mind and body.
The University of South Alabama’s Psychology Department recently performed a study into the effects of music on stress. They compared the effects of relaxing music compared to heavy metal and silence on subjects who had just experienced a stressor. Unsurprisingly, they found that relaxing classical music significantly reduced the effects of stress. Of course, the study also demonstrates that the style of music chosen for this purpose is important – you are likely to suffer more if your music of choice is punk or thrash metal! However, do not despair if you can’t stand classical music, there are many other styles of modern music aimed at chilling you out – ambient and electronic styles for example.
There are multiple ways you can incorporate music into your wellness routine. It can have a seriously enabling effect for those who have difficulty concentrating. Try playing relaxing music while settling down to work, or choose chilled out ambient sounds to accompany your yoga session. Those who put too much pressure on themselves often paradoxically hold back their ability to achieve by a habit of mental and physical rigidity. It makes sense to use every method you can to bring a sense of ease to your mind and flow to your life.
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