Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/897991
YOU ALREADY KNOW how certain songs can move you to tears with the memory of your grandparents, prompt you to laugh out loud at the recollection of college roommates, or transport you back to the first dance you shared with your spouse. Now studies have shown that music can also benefit your body and overall wellness. "Music has a unique ability to help with pain management, and it can have a positive effect on the immune system," says Amy Segerstrom, MS, LPC, Coordinator of The Healing Place at HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital. "Some researchers believe music can prevent disease by lowering stress and levels of interleukin 6— a protein that has been linked to higher mortality rates, diabetes, and heart problems." A SYMPHONY OF HEALTH BENEFITS Pain reliever, blood-flow aid, stress reducer, depression alleviator—music may be all of these things and more, researchers have found. It can prompt the brain to produce more dopamine, an important chemical messenger that helps control muscle movement and other important functions, and it can also lower levels of cortisol, the main hormone responsible for stress. With flu season in full swing, you may want to spend time each day listening to your favorite artists or strumming a guitar—as Canadian scientists have found that listening to or playing music boosts the body's supply of cells and antibodies that help fend off viruses. And if you're struggling to get a good night's sleep or shake feelings of depression, studies have shown classical music may help you do both. "Some research suggests music with a tempo of less than 72 beats per minute is most beneficial," Segerstrom says. "Sacred and classical music often fit that bill." SOUNDS OF THE SEASON Few types of music can call to mind cherished memories faster than Christmas carols and seasonal sacred music. For those mourning the loss of a loved one or weathering a major life transition, those memories may be more precious than ever, which is why The Healing Place is once again hosting The Healing Sounds of Christmas, a free concert featuring Christmas favorites and jazz standards performed by the world-class band Belle Amour. "The Healing Sounds of Christmas is a special holiday tradition," Segerstrom says. "I hope attendees have a fun, relaxing evening that reminds them to take care of themselves and reconnect to joy in a way that honors their grief." To register for The Healing Sounds of Christmas Concert, call 715.717.6565. Be sure to provide your name, phone number, and the number of attendees. GRACE NOTES MUSIC HAS THE POWER TO RESTORE BOTH THE MIND AND BODY. How to Find Your Groove If you want to enjoy the calming benefits of music but aren't partial to Beethoven or Mozart, don't worry—classical is not the only genre that can help you relax. When it comes to finding your soothing soundtrack, be attuned to your body, says Amy Segerstrom, MS, LPC, Coordinator of The Healing Place at HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital. How your brain and body react to various styles of music will guide you to what you need. "Different types of music prompt different responses in the brain and body," Segerstrom says. "Ask yourself, 'Do I feel more relaxed, calm, and peaceful when I listen to this music, or am I feeling agitated and unsettled?' Personally, I'm more likely to listen to stimulating music when cleaning my house than when I'm trying to relax at the end of the day." 4 I N S P I R I N G H E A LT H