In the battle against stress and anxiety, there are a number of great tricks and skills that can be used to help us feel safer and more comfortable. One of the most effective methods that you may use to bring a sense of ease to your life is music therapy. Overall, researchers are concluding that music therapy seems to have an effect on personal relationships emphasizing positive benefits of active listening and performing and in turn set the context for developmental change.
In 2009, researchers led by Lauren K. King of the Sun Life Financial Movement Disorders Research and Rehabilitation Centre at Wilfrid Laurier University, in Waterloo, Ontario, found that short-term use of cinematic natural background vibroacoustic therapy with Parkinson's disease patients led to improvements in symptoms, including less rigidity and better walking speed with bigger steps and reduced tremors (NeuroRehabilitation, December, 2009).
Engaging in meditation for as little as 5 minutes a day can help drop your stress levels. People who regularly feel stressed have excess cortisol leading to heightened appetite and cravings for sugar. No wonder listening to music is one of life's most pleasurable - and relaxing - activities.
A leading New York oncologist uses Tibetan singing bowls and Hindu Sanskrit chanting to help cancer patients; in his book, "The Healing Power of Sound," Dr. Mitchell Gaynor discusses the amazing results seen by integrating music, vocalization and meditation into patient care.
Laurel Vespi, is a wellbeing and mindfulness expert, who is passionate about helping people with crazy busy lives make their days more calm, manageable and meaningful. Participants listened to specific musical selections (see sidebar) while trying to solve complex puzzles as quickly as possible—a highly stress-inducing situation.