Music is often called the food of the soul, and we have to agree, it does sound appropriate. As the years pass and your age goes up, things get more overwhelming and frustrating. There are too many things we must manage, too many important decisions to make, and you must always think of the consequences before you do anything. You get a few hours in the evenings to try and put away all your worries and unwind. For some people, it means engaging in a hobby such as playing their favourite video games, but for most, unwinding involves a suitable playlist along with a drink they enjoy. Music surrounds us in various contexts and various settings. Whether you feel sadness, joy or you are celebrating, music is a must. I mean, imagine dancing in a room full of people, and suddenly the song gets cut off. With music being so pervasive in our lives, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it can also help in therapy.

Music therapy involves the use of music by a trained professional in a clinical setting to help improve a patient’s holistic well-being. During the World Wars, travelling musicians used to visit hospitals and play for the patients. This incident was an eye-opener for the doctors who realised music’s ability to improve healing. Slowly, music therapy was added to the curriculum of various Universities and finally achieved the form it is in today.

Music therapy is not limited to psychological issues and sometimes bring out responses in patients who seem unable to do so with the use of traditional methods. The therapists employ various methods using music as is appropriate in each case. For some individuals, it would be beneficial to write, compose or play musical instruments while for some others it would be better to listen to music. There are also cases in which learning an instrument has helped the individual better cope with an issue or improve their medical conditions. Other miraculous uses of music therapy include easing of labour pain in pregnant women, reviving someone’s ability to speak, decreasing the side effects caused due to cancer therapy, etc.

Besides being one of the most popular genres of music in the world, classical music comes with added benefits such as lowering your blood pressure and lessening your anxiety. Classical music that evokes positive feelings within you do so by imitating human sounds of joy in their tones. Studies found that Classical music could heighten your emotions concerning a particular event or topic. Music also helps with insomnia in adults, improving their quality of sleep.

Music has always been a reservoir of entertainment and joy for most. But, the right kind of music can also help improve your health and emotions.