Listening to music is a powerful way to get calm and centred.
There is even a whole field of science dedicated to it! The neuroscience of music is interested in how our brain responds to music; which chemicals and parts of the brain are involved in listening to and performing music.
Research suggests that a certain beat of music stimulates our brainwaves to resonate in sync with that particular beat, so a fast tempo can increase concentration and alertness, and slower tunes promote a more relaxed state.
When our brainwaves are altered, our bodily functions are altered too. Quiet, calm music triggers the relaxation response of the sympathetic nervous system, decreasing our levels of stress hormones and lowering our blood pressure.
Recent scientific studies have looked into the impact of music on reducing anxiety and depression, relieving chronic pain, boosting immunity, and increasing quality of life.
All you gotta do is find a way to wind it into your wellbeing routine. Here are some suggestions of when you can listen to music during the day to #getcentred:
- During your shower or bath;
- As you are getting dressed;
- In the car or on the train;
- While cooking;
- As you exercise;
- When working;
- In bed before sleep.
For the skeptics among us, see research papers here, here, here, and here.
