Abstract
Music therapy has significant positive effects on stress and stress management. Many individuals suffer from daily and chronic stress. Stress is a risk factor for several ailments and serious diseases. This includes both mental, emotional, and physical stress. Music-based interventions play a significant role in decreasing stress levels. Music is effective in decreasing a variety of different stressors on both the mental and physical levels. Music can support individuals in dealing with uncomfortable stress in a noninvasive and accessible way. This chapter will describe what stress is and why it is so common. Also, it will include the background of music therapy and numerous ways music therapy can help reduce stress. We are only beginning to learn how healing music can be to our nation's current stress epidemic.
TopIntroduction
This chapter discusses the relationship between music and stress. Music therapy is a new and innovative practice in the medical field for reducing stress levels. Music is well-known vastly throughout the world and in all cultures. In modern day America, chronic stress is increasing both in our minds and body. Music can support individuals in contending with uncomfortable stress in a noninvasive and accessible way. This chapter will describe what stress is and why it is so common. In addition, it will present the background of music therapy and numerous ways music therapy can help reduce stress. Brene Brown, a famous researcher and author, states in her book The Gifts of Imperfection, “Whether it’s a hymn at church, the national anthem, a college fight song, a song on the radio, or the carefully scored soundtrack to a movie, music reaches out and offers us connection- something we really can’t live without” (Brown, 2010, p. 119). We are only beginning to learn how healing music can be to our nation’s current stress epidemic.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Autoimmune Disease: A disease in which the body's immune system attacks healthy cells.
Oxytocin: Oxytocin triggers feelings of love and protection, which naturally occurs when parents and children look into one another's eyes or when they embrace. Other relationship-enhancing effects also include empathy, trust, and the processing of bonding cues.
Cerebellum: The part of the brain at the back of the skull in vertebrates. Its function is to coordinate and regulate muscular activity.
Hypothalamic: Pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA). The HPA axis is a term used to represent the interaction between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands; it plays an important role in the stress response.
Cortisol: The body’s main stress hormone.
Circadian Rhythm: The natural cycle of physical, mental, and behavior changes that the body goes through in a 24-hour cycle.
Endorphins: Any of a group of hormones secreted within the brain and nervous system and having a number of physiological functions. They are peptides which activate the body's opiate receptors, causing an analgesic effect.