Psychology Today contributor Michael Breus, PhD, writes that music is an incredible tool for emotional health and sleep.
Music is an incredibly therapeutic tool for emotional health, daily performance, and sleep. It has been used as a healing therapy for most of human history. Ancient Arabic cultures had musicians working alongside physicians. The Greeks used music to treat mental illness. After WWII, musicians were brought to US hospitals to aid the healing of soldiers’ physical and emotional trauma.
As a tool to improve sleep, soothing, relaxing music can:
- Slow breathing
- Lower heart rate
- Lower blood pressure
- Quiet the nervous system
- Ease muscle tension
