Pain can be a stress reaction caused by muscle tension that perpetuates when the muscle should be resting. Often, a person is unaware of muscle tension. Stress-induced muscle tension in the head, neck, or shoulders can result in tension headaches. A lack of awareness can make it challenging to tackle tension-induced pain. To further exacerbate the problem, even a low level of chronic pain can increase stress, resulting in increased muscle tension. 

As far back as 2000 BCE, the Assyrians recorded using music to avoid the influence of evil spirits (Conrad, 2010). Today, what was once perceived as evil spirits might be called a mental illness by the medically minded. Whether a person is influenced by evil spirits or has a mental illness, the idea that music can enhance or soothe the passions of the mind has historical precedence.

What is the connection between stress and music? In his book, Strong Experiences with Music: Music is much more than just music, Gabrielson (2011) suggested that music impacts all psychological experiences. During psychological stress, it is possible to develop an appreciation for music that was not previously compelling (Gabrielson, 2011). An acute response to music can set into motion psychophysiological changes. And it can be a powerful tool to remedy distress.

What are three good reasons to relax and quiet your mind every day? The average person thinks over 6000 thoughts per day (Tseng & Poppenk, 2020). If you get 8 hours of sleep each night, that means in 16 awake hours, you think more than 375 thoughts every hour. Many of those thoughts are negative and repetitive. Your thoughts can be causing you stress. 

Music is a powerful tool for maintaining wellness. In an ideal world, life would be grand. We would always feel our best, look our best, and do our best. But the world is not perfect, and neither are we. We get sick, we get sloppy, and we get lazy. Nothing impacts mood or health more than stress. Because we live in an imperfect world, bad days will happen. 

I have seen gymnasts perform impossible feats on a four-inch-wide, padded beam. Is there any better example of balance? Sometimes, it feels like walking through life is an exercise in staying upright. But it doesn’t have to feel that way.