Music and Art can speak for us
Sometimes, when we are gripped by panic and anxiety, we may not have the words to describe how we are feeling. Then, a song comes on the radio or our playlist, and it hits us: “That is exactly how I’m feeling!”
pHYSICAL & mental hEALTH
Music can have a profound effect on us. It can improve our physical and mental health by helping to reduce blood pressure, alleviate stress and lead to a release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that affects our mood and sense of happiness, research shows. Music therapy has benefited adults with schizophrenia, substance use disorders, trauma, and depression, as well as veterans with PTSD and traumatic brain injury.
Autism
Music can be used to help children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), aiding in communication, cognition, behavior, social skills and interaction, and emotional regulation.
Benefits of Music
The Journal “Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience” provides an explanation for how rhythmic input, such as that found in music, can improve sensorimotor functioning and how it can provide benefits to cognitive functioning, behavior, social skills, and communication skills.
Research has found that people with autism have average or above average abilities in identifying the emotions present in music. People with autism can connect with the emotional aspects of music which can be very therapeutic for them. They can use music to express and manage their emotions when they aren’t able to use their words.
The Brain and Music
Interestingly, research is also exploring the impact that music has on brain functioning. Neuroimaging research has studied the brain regions that are activated when someone listens to music or when they engage in music-based activities. The brain regions associated with hearing, movement, emotional processing, the experience of pleasure, as well as the region associated with memory are all activated during musical experiences.
yOUNG BRAIN DEVELOPMENT
When young children are exposed to music, their brains change. Among other benefits, music can:
- Improve moods and empower young children by reducing stress levels. Even listening to sad music can be good thanks to its cathartic power, making it easier for children to get in touch with their emotions.
- Stimulate the formation of brain chemicals such as dopamine and oxytocin. When these are released, children are encouraged to share toys, empathize and trust others.
- Boost concentration skills and productivity.
- Improve learning and grades.
- Develop spatial intelligence – laying the ground for an interest in mathematics, engineering, computer science and architecture.
- Improve vocabulary and creativity.
Service Members
Music therapy is a promising treatment for PTSD among service members
Since its initial success during World War II to treat symptoms of PTSD and promote recovery, associations such as the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) have helped develop its use to treat psychiatric illnesses such as PTSD.
Music therapy, while broad in purpose, works to help Veterans cope with anxiety and depression. “Music therapy works on with coping skills for anxiety and depression through mood modulation, stress reduction/relaxation, meaningful
