Like most of us,
you have probably felt a song pull on your heartstrings or maybe even felt your
heart skip a beat at the sound of a particular melody. Countless love songs have
been written about the heart—there’s even a band named Heart--to the point that for many people
love and music are forever intertwined.
In
honor of Valentine’s Day, the holiday celebrated literally and figuratively
with the heart, here are some interesting notes on how playing and listening to
music actually has real health benefits for your ticker. So, whether you’re a
musician or a music fan, turn up the tunes and give your heart some love.
A recent
study found
that listening to music for 30 minutes a day can lower your blood pressure.
During the study, patients with high blood pressure listened to classical
music, Celtic music, or Indian ragas for a half hour every day for a month,
leading to significant drops in systolic blood pressure (the top number when
your blood pressure is taken.) High systolic blood pressure increases heart
disease risk. Always consults your doctor first for treatment options for high
blood pressure, or any other health issue, but remember adding a daily dose of
music can’t hurt!
Perhaps
one reason music has the power to lower blood pressure is its natural
stress-relieving ability.
Music has actually been found to be more
effective than
prescription medications at reducing stress in patients before surgery. Next time
you find yourself feeling stressed, try taking deep breaths and listening to your
favorite song. De-stressing isn’t just good for your heart; taking time to
relax can boost your immune system and help to clear your mind.
Musicians
enjoy another heart benefit each time they practice their instruments. Though
most instruments are not exactly a workout, playing music does burn
calories and
it’s certainly better for you than sitting on the couch watching T.V. Drummers burn
the most, averaging around 200 calories per hour of playing. Guitarists and
other musicians who stand while they rock out can burn from 130 to 200 calories
per hour, while seated players only burn about 60 calories.
When
you are ready to exercise, listening to music pumps you up and increases your
stamina. Studies
have shown many
benefits to adding music to your workout, and regular exercise is one of the
best ways to improve and maintain heart health. Remember to bring you iPod the
next time you go to the gym! If you’re like many of us, and don’t particularly
like to exercise, listening to your favorite music can help you stay motivated
while you work out.
Now that you know how
music is good for your heart, why not find a few more ways to bring music into
your day? Here are a few ideas:
- According to Nielsen, the average American watches about 32 hours of television per week. Instead of automatically reaching for the remote, turn on your stereo instead and enjoy the benefits of music.
- Pick a soundtrack for your housework! Play your favorite album while you fold laundry or make a playlist you can put on when you work in the yard. Adding music to your daily chores will change your mindset and help your heart.
- Have you always dreamed of playing an instrument but you never learned how? Now is always the best time to start music lessons! Learning to play will deepen your appreciation for music and give you a new way to experience your favorite songs.
- Musicians, do you turn off your cell phone and your computer when you’re practicing your instrument? Many people don’t, and it can be very difficult to disconnect and truly focus on practicing. Remind yourself that your texts and emails will still be there later and give yourself at least 30 minutes of play without interruptions from technology.
How do you connect with music on Valentine’s Day or just any old
day? Let us know in the comments!
