Christmas Music - Discover How the Joyous Sounds of Music Can Have Amazing Health Benefits for You!

Christmas associations for most people include theResearch today has found that different types of
sounds of joyous Christmas carolers and beautiful ormusic may significantly affect blood cortisol levels (a
fun Christmas music. There are many beautiful andstress hormone secreted by the adrenal glands). In
soothing Christmas tunes often played in theone research study they presented one group being
background during the festive holiday season. You willinformed of a pending operation then tested for
be delighted to discover that music has amazingcortisol levels after listening to some calming music of
health benefits for you!their choice in consultation with a music therapist.
Research now tells us that music not only makes usCortisol levels were reduced by 50% compared to
feel good but has a role in improving our health. Yesthe group tested that had no music.
music can release the increase of endorphins which isMusic has even been researched with its effect on
the body's natural 'feel good' hormones. Music canplant growth. Researchers found that frequencies
lower hormones related to stress and can effectaround 5000 Hz were the most potent in stimulating
physiological functions such as respiration, heart rateplant growth. In this frequency range you will mostly
and blood pressure. One study found that listening tofind 18th and 19th century composers. One
harp music during Chemotherapy eased the pain ofresearcher Dorthy Retallack after experimentation
cancer patients and relieved anxiety associated withwith rock styled music where plants were exposed
the treatment. Music has also been shown to helpto a selection of Led Zeppelin, Vanilla Fudge, and Jimi
reduce post-surgical stress and pain, to reduceHendrix found these plants became stunted, gangly,
symptoms of depression in elderly people, and to aidexhibited sparse leaf growth while bending away
children who are developmentally delayed byfrom the source of the music. Retallack found that
enhancing hand-eye coordination.most of the plants died after 16 days.
A great deal of research has been done by TheAlfred Tomatis confirmed that what Retallack found
American Music Therapy Association with regards towith regards to frequencies of music beneficial for
music therapy. It has shown consistently the positiveplants was the same for humans. Tomatis found that
effects of music therapy. Music Therapy has itsthe types of music most likely to promote brain
roots in ancient times. It regained attention duringwaive patterns related to relaxation were the
World War I and II when community musiciansfrequency range from 500 to 8000 Hz which
visited soldiers in hospitals suffering emotional andpromoted alpha-band brain waives. Interestingly
physical trauma. There was notable improvement inresearch has shown that stringed instruments are the
these patients which resulted in the doctors andrichest in producing these beneficial higher frequency
nurses advocating for musicians to be hired to play inlevels that induce a calming response.
the wards.Christmas music for most people brings a soothing
The use of music to improve health was recognizedcalmness to their being. It has the ability to distract
by the ancient Greeks and Romans. Plato, Senecaour attentions from our daily grind and worries and
and Cicero believed that music had profound effectscause a sense of relaxation. When we hear
upon behavior. They all believed that it affectedChristmas music we mostly feel uplifted with a sense
societies and that the state should regulate the typeof joy. Now we know that listening to our favorite
of music as they believed some had potentiallyjoyous music may be more beneficial than we
harmful effects. It is noted that many musicologiststhought! Enjoy the sounds of Christmas and revel in
today relate that music is a form of communicationits benefits!
or language that directly accesses the emotions.