Houston Methodist Center for Performing Arts Medicine
Check out this message from CPAM’s Director, J. Todd Frazier:
Here is a “Breathing to Music Instructional” designed by our Music Therapy Department for general use to help reduce tension, relieve stress, and boost oxygen. It comes with its own set of QR codes and instructions on how to listen to the music samples from your smart phone. We hope you enjoy and it provides benefit. Feel free to share!
“Music for Wellness” is the use of music that allows individuals to experience the scientific health benefits of recreational music activities. Music works with your body to make small alterations that can improve your mood, lower your blood pressure, and even reduce your ability to feel pain. For example, by releasing dopamine, music can improve your mood in as little as 15 minutes. Think about it – do you ever feel more productive while streaming your favorite album? These techniques, which we pride ourselves on sharing in the hospital, can be easily done at home to address anxiety, productivity, and general wellness:
Mood
“I’d like to listen to music, but I’m just too stressed to find the time for it!” Music can help with stress reduction. Listening to a song at 60 beats per minute can synchronize alpha brainwaves with the beat of the music. The alpha brainwave is present when one is relaxed and conscious. Pull up one of these songs from any music streaming service and see how you feel:
- “Someone You Loved” – Love Falk
- “Gymnopédie No. 1” – Erik Satie, Philippe Entremont
- “Ravel Piano Concert in G Major” – Maurice Ravel, Alison Teale
With the changes in our normal schedule, challenges with childcare, working from home, etc., many of us are experiencing challenging moods. Music can help with mood modulation. Start by listening to one song that safely matches and expresses your current mood. Then, listen to music that gradually and increasingly reflects the mood you want to have. For example, if your current mood is sad/down maybe try “Be Ok” by Ingrid Michaelson. Then, if your desired mood is happy/content, play “Can’t Stop the Feeling” by Justin Timberlake.
Motivation
Find a song that sends you a positive message and inspires you to continue trying to overcome challenges. Keep the song title handy so that you can remember it when you need it to boost your motivation! Don’t know what you find motivating? Try songs like “Keep Your Head Up” by Andy Grammer, “Roar” by Katy Perry, “Beat It” by Michael Jackson.
Self-Expression
Try writing your own song! You can “borrow” a familiar tune that you know and write your own words to express what you are feeling. You can also make up an original tune for your music that shows what you feel as well. Songwriting can include long-term projects as well as brief, in-the-moment expressive creations. This is a great activity with kids. Try picking a song you all know and ask each person to contribute to the re-writing.
We look forward to sharing more arts for wellness resources with you throughout COVID-19. Please share these exercises with your loved ones and stay well.
