How Is Music a Stress Reliever?

People understand the enjoyment they can get from music, and several studies have shown that music lowers stress, reduces pain and leads to greater emotional expression. Creating music can also serve as a form of stress relief. However, while certain forms of music help some people relax, that same music can create heightened stress in others.

Pain

• The University of Buffalo conducted a study and found that people undergoing eye surgery had reduced stress levels when they listened to music before the surgery, compared to those who didn't listen to music. In the study where the patients were undergoing eye surgery, the patients received a choice of one of 22 different music types, while another group received no music at all. The researchers measured stress levels based on the patient's heart rate and blood pressure.

Stress

• A study at Minnesota State University recommended music as stress relief for students who experience burnout. Burnout is emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. Susan Sze of Niagara University and Sanna Yu of the York Region District School Board, Ontario, Canada argued that children who feel distressed or suffer from disabilities can feel a sense of security when they listen to music.

Emotional Catharsis

• Music can provide a distraction from problems, which can lower stress. People can become more aware of their emotions when they talk to a thearapist while listening to music. In this sense, music can have a cathartic effect, according to Psych Central.

Meditation

• Music is sometimes used in conjunction with meditation, and crtain forms of music are designed to help people meditate. However, this meditative music does not relax everyone. Some people prefer music that has a predictable melody they recognize, such as a familiar pop music tune. The sounds of nature can be relaxing for some people. Some trained therapists have patients listen to music and use biofeedback techniques to enhance the relaxation effects of music. Biofeedback is a process of training patients to control their bodily processes, such as their blood pressure and heart rate, by leading the patient through a variety of mental exercises. Biofeedback techniques help some people relax, but these techniques can distract some patients from the music, reducing the stress relief benefits of the music.

Music Making

• Singing helps relieve stress and tension. Extroverted types can relieve stress through karaoke, though it may have the opposite effect on introverts. Making music also helps cut stress and prevents burnout, which comes from chronic stress. Burnout is a state of emotional exhaustion. When people suffer from stress, their entire body exhibits the stress response, which leads to depression, burnout and anger. During the stress response, the body releases stress hormones and raises the heart rate. Creating music has the opposite effect of the stress response and can switch it off. People do not need musical skill on the professional level to receive the benefits of playing an instrument.