Listening to your favorite music is easier than ever—with ipods and mp3 players, you can have access to your tunes 24/7.  And haven’t we all used music to relax or get a move on? But if you’re depressed or battling cancer, music might be something you want to tap into for healing benefits as well.

What is it about music that can soothe or excite—what is it about music that affects the mind and body?  There have been scientifically documented effects of listening to music, and it is fast becoming another alternative therapy for a myriad of diseases including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and even cancer.   

So, what is music therapy?  It includes listening to music, writing music, making music, and even using music while engaged in other activities like writing or drawing, for instance.

Music has been credited with the following effects:  reducing blood pressure, heart rate and breathing; improving self-esteem and easing depression; decreasing pain; and reducing stress, anxiety, and fear, among others.

If you are interested in learning more about music therapy, you can check out the book Music as Medicine by Deforia Lane—as noted in my favorites from Amazon.

Bottom line:  people respond to music.  Music is a natural source of distraction, relaxation, and even inspiration...

My personal favorites:  Nanci Griffith for an anytime pick-up, Jack Johnson makes me smile, Sarah McLaughlin is great for those melancholy days, or just about anything from the 80s works to brighten my mood!  

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