The More the Merrier

Yesterday I spoke to huge room-full of people at a beautiful location here in Louisville, KY. The topic was "Music and Stress-Management: Tools You Can Use." I only had about 25 minutes so I was trying to cover quite a bit of material, but as always, hands in the audience started shooting up with people wanting to share their own personal stories of music and healing. I must have had a dozen fabulous stories from men and women about how music had gotten them through hard times, and had entertained them as children when the family couldn't afford a radio or a TV. That's the wonderful things about music...it's free!! All you have to do it open your mouth and sing the first thing that pops into your head or make yourself a little drum with an upside-down trashcan or an oatmeal box. You can even jangle your car keys as you do a tango in your living room or bedroom! Having all those people there yesterday was a real stress-reliever for me because I had been up pretty much all night the night before with a stomach bug. When I left there, I felt great!! Try it!

What does movie music do for you??

As I sit here watching the Golden Globe Awards, I can't help but think of all the fabulous music that I have heard when at the movies. You've heard me say before that the Hollywood composers are masters of touching emotions with music (and the silent movie pianists before them) and whenever emotions are powerfully touched, the memory is etched and inseparably connected to the music and the emotion. Some of my favorites from childhood (I'm not ashamed to admit) are the Disney tunes like "When You Wish Upon a Star" or "Chim-Chiminee." In my teen years I loved "April Love" and "Lara's Theme" from Dr. Zhivago. I'll always love the theme from "Exodus" and "Bridge on the River Kwai." You get the point, I'm sure. Music affects the mind and the body in as powerful a way as anything I can imagine. I'd love to know your thoughts on this?

Music's Effect on Mind and Body

What does music do to the body and mind? What happens in your body when you hear music that you love? Do you feel energy, calm, great joy and happiness, sadness and grief, anger, love? Well, of course, it depends upon the music you're hearing but all of the feelings can easily be elicited by music. How does this happen? It's all about brain chemistry and the process of entrainment. The brain responds instantaneously to pain, pleasure and emotion of all kind. Different neurochemicals are released into the brain and the body responds. Most of us know exactly what music to reach for to get the response we're looking for.
Putting drugs into your system can do many of the same things but why risk addiction, dependence, and even prison! Reach for your favorite music instead! Questions? Drop me a line!