Let the music play

Let the music

play

Guaranteed to lift your mood, feel-good music offers an instant hit of dopamine, our brain’s happy chemical, and new thinking shows that it can even boost our health

Most of us like to Most of us like to slip on a favourite slip on a favourite playlist to relax or playlist to relax or give our workout a give our workout a motivational boost, motivational boost, and recent studies and recent studies have shown music is have shown music is good for us and even good for us and even has the ability to has the ability to lower our heart rate lower our heart rate and blood pressure, and blood pressure, improve sleep and improve sleep and our health-related our health-related quality of life. quality of life.

Since ancient times, music has been used for its therapeutic value and in Tibetan and Himalayan cultures healers used singing bowls in healing ceremonies. Greek physicians also used flutes and lyres to treat their patients, believing the vibrations from the music could help digestion, soothe mental disturbance and induce sleep – the philosopher Plato wrote that music could soothe the soul.

Modern science supports this thinking and recent studies prove that music releases dopamine at the precise moment of a listener’s peak enjoyment, which helps to establish a good mood over a longer period. In one study by McGill University in Montreal, dopamine was found to increase by nine per cent when volunteers listened to music they particularly enjoyed, and in a separate Finnish study music therapy was even shown to give a shortterm boost to treat depression and anxiety among patients.

Recognising the healing power of sound, health professionals are starting to use ‘intentional music’ in hospitals and on prescription to help patients in their recovery. Mindfulness and mental-health playlists were one of Spotify’s most streamed searches during the pandemic, and UK start-up MediMusic is conducting trials in NHS hospitals to soothe patients with music. In one test among dementia patients, an algorithm which ‘prescribes’ songs based on listeners’ personal backgrounds and tastes resulted in a 22 per cent reduction in heart rate and lowered their agitation and distress. With further studies taking place in recovering critical care and chronic-pain departments, and in the treatment of anxious pre-operative patients and needlephobic children, music in hospitals could soon be commonplace.

Taking this a step further, several companies are researching the effects of music in the treatment of health conditions, with French pharmaceutical firm Sanofi creating a playlist to alleviate headaches and American tech company Woojer developing a musicpowered airwayclearance vest to treat children with cystic fibrosis. Sound is an exciting new area of wellbeing with the potential to support our health – so, next time you press play and pump up the volume, relax and enjoy your favourite tunes in the safe knowledge that music really is good for your health.

Turn the Turn the page to share page to share Jason’s favourite Jason’s favourite playlists. playlists.

5 REASONS TO PRESS PLAY

1. CHAIN REACTION Research shows blood flow improves when music is played, with a reduction in heart rate, blood pressure and stress levels, while serotonin and endorphin (the body’s natural happiness and pain-reliever responses) levels correspondingly rise.

2. IN THE MOOD

Music is processed by the amygdala, the part of the brain involved in mood and emotions, and boosts the brain’s dopamine production which helps to relieve anxiety and depression.

3. WHEN WE WAS FAB Music stimulates memories and is used extensively in the treatment of Alzheimer’s and dementia to help relax agitated patients, lift mood and strengthen communication.

4. ROCK LOBSTER Research has shown that ambient music and lighting during a meal can help people to slow down while eating and ultimately consume less food in a sitting.

5. LET’S GET PHYSICAL Music can help to increase workout endurance and boost physical performance during a tough exercise session.

FLYING HIGH

Grab your rebounder and take your workout to new heights with Jason’s playlist.

Love Yourself – Justin Bieber Fastlove – George Michael Hot Fudge – Robbie Williams Uptown Funk (ft. Bruno Mars) – Mark Ronson Let’s Get It Started – Black Eyed Peas Can’t Stop The Feeling – Justin Timberlake Happy – Pharrell Williams That Girl – McFly What Makes You Beautiful – One Direction Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen) – Baz Luhrmann Run – Leona Lewis Skinny Love – Birdy Let It Out – Ed Sheeran Rolling In The Deep – Adele Eye Of The Tiger – Survivor Price Tag (Without B.o.B) – Jessie J Shake It Off – Taylor Swift Counting Stars – OneRepublic Candy – Robbie Williams You Make Me Feel Like Dancing – Leo Sayer Rock DJ – Robbie Williams I Put A Spell On You – Annie Lennox Beneath Your Beautiful – Labrinth Your Song – Ellie Goulding All Summer Long – Kid Rock Shine – Take That Anything Could Happen – Ellie Goulding Love On Top – Beyoncé Walk This Way (ft. Aerosmith) – Run-D.M.C Respect – Aretha Franklin Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours – Blue Only Girl (In The World) – Rihanna Billie Jean – Michael Jackson Say You Won’t Let Go – James Arthur Empire State Of Mind (Part II) – Alicia Keys Impossible – James Arthur Strong – London Grammar

AND RELAX...

Music with a slow tempo can calm the moment, so slip this playlist on for a relaxing yoga session.

Om Shreem Hreem – Indiajiva Diamond Mind – Dorje Sempa Gaté Gaté – Deva Premal Durga Shakti – Shaman’s Dream Project Orinoco Flow – Enya Storms In Africa – Enya Well Balanced – Oliver Shanti and friends Chi Mai – Ennio Morricone Awakening – Brent Lewis Chen Rezi – Gabrielle Roth & The Mirrors Beautiful – India.Arie Simpson Imagine – John Lennon Society – Eddie Vedder Bliss: I Am – Lucinda Drayton Shiva Invocation – Shantala Loka – Lisbeth Scott Breathing Out – Shaman's Dream Nataraja – Jai Uttal