The Effect of Music on Behavior and Health - Essay Example

Music, a composition of rhythm, melody and harmony has been an important part of the human lifefor ages. Starting from the earliest civilizations, when bone flutes and jaw harps were used as instruments to the present day when guitars, violin and piano have replaced them. Music has been considered as a mode of communication in all the civilizations. The message of one man can be conveyed to many in a rather persuasive way with the help of music. People are more inclined to listen and follow if something is conveyed through music.

Preachers from different religions have found this mode of communication very helpful and it has been very successful too. Though music too has changed with time just ever other thing we know but its importance and effects on human mind and body remains the same. The use of music as an inexpensive, nonpenetrating and pleasant medicine is not new. A fivefold decrease in the anxiety and stress of the patients was observed after a mere music therapy of 30 minutes. The use of music in reducing anxiety in patients of different mental disorders like schizophrenia and dementia has been found to be very useful.

Music is said to have a power which can energize the human body and mind. Music is supposed to enhance the self healing mechanisms of the body providing comfort and relaxation. Music has been used recently in the cognitive development of children. Norton et al. in 2006 indicated the significant development of the brain of the children who had been to music class or got some type of music training. It was also noted that the IQ of some children after listening to music was also increased (Adrian Bangerter 2010).

There has always been a very strong relationship between human emotions and music. King Saul used to listen to harp played by David whenever he was sad. It is said that music is created by humans hence it is the ultimate expression of human emotional state of mind. Music is thought to be a controlled system just like the human body. It behaves like the human body and makes the human body behaves like it. Ancient civilizations were the first ones to introduce these beneficial effects of music on the human mind.

The profound effects on the behavior of whole societies were highlighted by Plato and Cicero. Music was described as a major cultural force by Plato. The use of music in controlling human emotions and in the field of medicine has been advocated by many researchers for many years. But it now that we better understand the healing power of music on our body and mind after the soothing effect of music on human body has been proven scientifically in recent researches. According to a research, soft and calming music has significant effects on the cotisol levels of the body, leading to decreased stress levels.

Calm and soothing music has been used preoperatively in patients in patients who are to undergo surgeries. This use of music has been found to reduce anxiety and calm the nerves of the patients. People with dementia and head injuries are thought to retain some abilities related to music. It is supposed to be a way to reach the long lost memories of a person. Music is stored deep in the emotional part of the brain and rehearsed when a person is emotionally disturbed. A person remembers the music played on his wedding or the music when the national team won the last world cup.

We listen to music to boost our confidence before the start of a crucial match. Music helps in concentrating during studies. It has been seen that students nowadays are getting more and more inclined to listen to music while studying. Music is a window through which we can express our deep feelings without using one single word. Music is away to show your culture to the world and observe other cultures through their music. This infiltration of music in every culture and society today has made it a very important part of our daily lives.

We listen to music while going to work. Music is what keeps us awake during long boring lectures. Music is our friend in the long hours of loneliness. I would not trust a person who said they did not like music because music has been a part of our lives since we started to exist. One can find music in the flowing stream and in rustling of the leaves. Music can be found in the wind and in the long silent nights. There is music in the chirping of birds. Music is a part of nature. It is a part of everything that surrounds us.

The whole nature can be called as a beautiful symphony. How can someone not like something which is everywhere around him? How can someone not like something which is affecting his everyday behavior in a rather positive way? References 1. Campbell, Don G. The Mozart Effect: Tapping the Power of Music to Heal the Body, Strengthen the Mind, and Unlock the Creative Spirit. New York: Avon Books, 1997. Print. 2. Juslin, Patrik N, and John A. Sloboda. Music and Emotion: Theory and Research. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001. Print. 3.

White, Gary C, David Stuart, and Elyn Aviva. Music in Our World: An Active-Listening Approach. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2001. Print. 4. Top of Form 5. Bottom of Form