The Benefits of Music

AARP: “…according to a new report from the Global Council on Brain Health (GCBH), an AARP-founded working group of scientists, health care professionals and other experts. Their latest report, “Music on Our Minds,” highlights research showing music's positive effect on emotional well-being, including improving mood, decreasing anxiety, and managing stress.”

 

“Research shows that music can have a beneficial effect on brain chemicals such as dopamine, which is linked to feelings of pleasure, and oxytocin, the so-called “love hormone.” And there is moderate evidence that music can help lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.”

Source: AARP

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• It’s heart healthy. Research has shown that blood flows more easily when music is played. It can also reduce heart rate, lower blood pressure, decrease cortisol (stress hormone) levels and increase serotonin and endorphin levels in the blood.

• It elevates mood. Music can boost the brain’s production of the hormone dopamine. This increased dopamine production helps relieve feelings of anxiety and depression. Music is processed directly by the amygdala, which is the part of the brain involved in mood and emotions.

• It reduces stress. Research has found that listening to music can relieve stress by triggering biochemical stress reducers.

• It relieves symptoms of depression. When you’re feeling down in the dumps, music can help pick you up - much like exercise.

• It stimulates memories. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease or dementia but music therapy has been shown to relieve some of its symptoms. Music therapy can relax an agitated patient, improve the mood and open communication in patients.

• It manages pain. By reducing stress levels and providing a strong competing stimulus to the pain signals that enter the brain, music therapy can assist in pain management.

• It eases pain. Music can meaningfully reduce the perceived intensity of pain, especially in geriatric care, intensive care or palliative medicine.

• It helps people eat less. Playing soft music in the background (and dimming the lights) during a meal can help people slow down while eating and ultimately consume less food in one sitting.

• It increases workout endurance. Listening to those top workout tracks can boost physical performance and increase endurance during a tough exercise session.

 

Pianos in Public Space

Activates a public space, creates community, encourages creative expression, and provides health & wellness benefits to both players and listeners.

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"Street Pianos are designed to provoke people into engaging, activating and claiming ownership of their urban landscape. Like a musical equivalent of Facebook, the street pianos… provide an interconnected resource for the public to express themselves.

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“The street pianos have also enticed many hidden musicians out of the woodwork. It has become apparent that there are thousands of pianists out there who don’t have regular access to a piano. ‘Play Me, I’m Yours’ provides access to this wonderful musical instrument and gives musicians the opportunity to share their creativity by performing in public.”

Source: Street Pianos

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Additional Employee Wellness Resources

• Pop-up Exercise and Wellness Class Schedule

• Employee Health & Wellness Challenges

• Health Risk Assessment Link

• Employee Assistance Program

• Health Education: Diabetes Management, Smoking Cessation Open Group, Family Birth Center Childbirth and Breastfeeding Classes**, and Bariatric Nutrition Class* and Bariatric Support Group

• Health & Screening Events Calendar

• Health & Wellness Tips and Best Practices

• Walk-With-A-Doc Schedule

• Jackson Hospital Employee Wellness Committee

 

* Register with JWC: 334-440-3330, option 5

** Register at online at www.jackson.org/calendar