Continuing from last week, sharing a little about our five senses and how to use them as tools in our daily life. Today I am writing about the sense of Sound.
As part of human evolution, our ancestors have relied on the sense of sound to protect themselves from the multitude of dangers. Today, we can use the sense of sound to protect ourselves from the epidemic of 21st century – Stress.
Music helps but not always:
Most of us enjoy music but not all of us are aware how music affect us. We may think that our favorite music always helps us, but not necessarily. It might stimulate us when we need to calm down, or it might slow us down when we need to be active.
A quick trick for you:
While listening to a song, pay attention to the lyrics and the feelings they bring. Then move your attention to the instruments being played in the background. Once you begin to hear the instruments distinctly, follow any one of the instruments for next few minutes. This simple trick will reduce your immediate stress, relax your mind, and help you focus on the matter at hand. It’ll be like a quick meditation. Sounds fair?
Brain imaging shows that music stimulates parts of the brain (2011 Drexel University study) and helps in reducing anxiety and stress!
Few more ways of using sense of Sound to de-stress, take time out to:
- Listen to the birds in the morning or evening hours
- Listen to music with various sounds of water (rain, waves, waterfalls, fountains etc.)
- Listen wind-chimes playing in soft breeze
- Play an instrument
Music has been an important part of our history, and is equally important in our present. However it is very important to understand how we are feeling and the kind of music that will help at any particular moment.
Some of my personal favorites for different purposes:
- Om meditation – for deep connection
- Before I go by Yanni – for relaxation
- Tibetan bowls – for self-reflection
- Requiem by Mozart – for creativity
- Santoor by Shiv K. Sharma – for pleasure
- Gayatri Mantra chants – for empowerment
“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain”- Bob Marley
Next week I’ll share about our sense of smell (Olfactory) to de-stress.