Music and Us (Extended Definition Essay)

Have you ever thought of a life without music? For a long time now, music has become a large part of our lives without our knowing it. Why and how did it become a huge part of our lives? Every day we hear music, whether it be from the classic radio or from the Ipod, from an instrument or from someone's singing, or just the rhythmic tapping of people's feet . It is now unimaginable for our lives to be without music. What is music exactly that it became something essential to our daily lives? Music is a form of art that provides physical, mental, and emotional benefits.

            One cannot tell exactly where or when it started although it is believed that it had begun in Africa in the prehistoric times. Music from this era is called prehistoric music. Since at that time musical instruments were still not invented, music then was the sounds created from the natural actions made by the people such as humming and whistling. As time passed, different cultural traditions gradually developed a different forms of music, and from these different forms comes different benefits.

            Music can benefit a person physically. Exercises such as dancing and yoga use music to help people keep up with the beat. When a fast-paced and upbeat music is played, the body automatically matches the rhythm of the music. Physically drained people may be able to rejuvenate through happy or upbeat music. When slow and mellow music is played, a fatigued person relaxes and sleeps more soundly.

            Some studies show that music has positive effects on the body's immune system. Music helps in the production of Immunoglobulin A, the antibody that plays a major role in our immune system. It also helps decline the levels of cortisol or stress hormone in the body. As a result, listening to music can lower a person's stress level.

            Music can also benefit a person mentally. If you observe carefully, most commercials, if not all, have music. Why would people use music in commercials? Music actually helps people remember things easier. It triggers their memory, making them remember where they have heard that music. When a person is asked about the commercial, more often than not, they remember the tune of the music that was used. In this example, it is shown how music somehow helps in retaining the memory of a person.

            In addition, music can be used in therapies for people who have problems in their mental health such as Dementia, a health condition in which there is a gradual deterioration of mental ability and capacity of the person. This condition usually affects people in their latter years. It is something that cannot be stopped completely. However, according to Nancy Darling, studies show that when people with Dementia are exposed to music, the process of the deterioration is slowed down. When they listen to music that they know from their youth, their memories will surface and they become more active than without the music.

            Another way people can use  music is to listen soft and relaxing music to aid their meditation. It helps them  relax and concentrate, making it easier for them to be able to achieve their "inner peace". Furthermore, according to Satrio, researchers found out instrumental music helps people concentrate. Thus, it helps them do their jobs better.

            Lastly, music can benefit a person emotionally. Music can serve an outlet for our emotions. Most songwriters transmit what they are feeling at the moment when they were writing the lyrics to their song. Excellent singers and dancers are usually the people who are able to make their audience feel the emotion of the song. Even the listeners, whether they mean to or not, get into the emotion of the music being played. This helps people cope with their emotional problems. These problems that keep on piling up inside without having an outlet, may cause the person to have an emotional breakdown. It will take a long time before the person gets to recover. Why wait for it to become this worse when you can prevent it from happening by using music as a means to let all these problems out. Another fact is that, music is a much more effective instrument in expressing thoughts and emotions than that of psychotherapy. Having an outlet for our emotions could help us to deal with problems in a positive way.

            Truly, music has given us a lot of benefits. It helps us become physically fit through its use in dancing. We can relax ourselves with slow and mellow music. In addition, it aids us in our immune system and lowers our stress level. Music helps us remember things more easily. It could help us concentrate. Furthermore, it can serve as a catalyst for emotions, helps us express our thoughts and emotions, helping us to view life in a more optimistic way. Given these facts, I believe that music plays an essential and important part of our lives.

References

Bhagwan. (2012, June 3). History of Music [Web log post]. Retrieved from             http://bnbmusiclessons.com/blog/history-of-music/

Darling, N. (2013, May 5). Music and Dementia [Web log post]. Retrieved from             http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/thinking-about-kids/201305/music-and-dementia

Matthews, V. (2010, February 20). Music Therapy Benefits and Mental Health [Web log post].   Retrieved from http://www.1888articles.com/music-therapy-benefits-and-mental-    health- 0103364.html

Mincin, J. (2011, January 9). Music therapy can impact emotional trauma, mental and        physical disabilities [Web log post]. Retrieved from        http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/content.detail/id/545940/Music-therapy-can-impact-            emotional--trauma--mental-and-physical-disabilities.html?nav=726

Psychology Department, McGill University. (2013, April 12). Listening to music benefits mental and physical health [Web log post]. Retrieved from          http://www.tricitypsychology.com/listening-to-music-benefits-mental-and-physical-          health/

Satrio. (2013, June 27). Benefits of Music To Physical & Mental Health [Web log post].    Retrieved from http://cybercornertalk.com/2013/06/benefits-of-music-to-physical-   mental-health/

Seer, E. (2013, February 14). Music and (Physical, Spiritual, Mental, Emotional) Health    [Web   log post]. Retrieved from http://elizabethseer.com/2013/02/music-and-health/