Is music a cure for stress?

By: Gracie Combs

Not everyone has the time to just take a day or sit back for a few hours to relieve stress. In many cases people push stress to the side causing it to build up but what if there is a way to control the stress and relieve it.

Did you know stress can be reduced by listening to music? Music that is 60 beats per minute or around the beat can help the brain synchronize with the beats resulting in alpha brain waves. Alpha brain waves are present when we are in a relaxed and conscious state. Music can help release these brainwaves and it can be very effective.

Music can affect your moods so why wouldn't it affect your stress. Upbeat music can help you feel more positive and optimistic about life. Fast paced music can help you concentrate better and feel more alert. Music that has a slower tempo can make you feel relaxed enough to help relieve the stress.

The best music to help relax or relieve your stress is Native American, Celtic, Indian based instruments including; drums, flutes and stringed instruments. However natural sounds such as rain or thunder played in the background of light jazz or classical music have the same effect.

Music can be very helpful in countless ways including managing and relieving stress. Below are some music the University of Nevada has provided to help with stress relief.

A Moment of Peace Meditation- Aneal & Bradfield, "Heaven and Earth Spirits" track from Life & Love). Lovely contemporary piano music with accompanying instruments and nature scenes.

Echoes of Time - C. Carlos Nakai from the Canyon Trilogy. Serene Native American flute music, with a picture of Nakai backlit by the sun at the Grand Canyon.

The Winding Path- Ken Kern from The Winding Path. Highly rated, beautiful piano music with accompanying instruments with pictures of exquisite flowers and plants.

Classical Indian Music for Healing and Relaxing- Gayatri Govindarajan, "Pure Deep Meditation" track. Lovely and rhythmic music played on the veena, the most ancient of the Indian plucked-instruments, with nature scenes.

Angels of Venice- Angels of Venice from Music for Harp, Flute and Cello. Classical with 3 instruments with nature pictures.

Earth Drum- "Spirit Vision," (David & Steve Gordon. Serene and lovely contemporary Native American informed-drumming music utilizing Taos Log Drum and Incan Pan along with other instruments and ocean/forest nature scenes.