Even if you haven’t taken a music therapy session, you may have noticed a change in yourself when you listen to your favorite song. Right away, we can feel calmer, energized, and just better. Music is a powerful tool that affects us deeply and new research has shown another promising use for music when it comes to our health.
Classical music for healthier blood pressure
How’s your blood pressure? Has your doctor raised any concerns? Are you watching what you eat and exercising more? Have you listened to any classical music lately? You may be surprised by the last question, but classical music, in particular, is starting to show positive effects on blood pressure.
Even though classical music proved to be the best choice for lowering blood pressure, not all classic tunes will do. For example, Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, a faster-paced piece, did not lower blood pressure in comparison to Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
Although promising, the researchers note that additional research should be conducted to really solidify music’s ability to assist in blood pressure. But in the meantime, why not relax to some Mozart?
The stress and blood pressure link
If classical music isn’t your thing and you require other means of reducing stress, try some of these options:
6 Natural tips to reduce Stress
- Exercise: It doesn’t have to be vigorous; a brief stroll is enough to reduce stress.
- Eat well: Some foods can actually promote stress–think spicy peppers. That means you should eat foods which promote calmness, like asparagus, avocados, and salmon.
- Meditate: Meditating can be anything you want it to be, so don’t feel you’re doing it wrong. Just take a few moments to close your eyes and divert your mental attention.
- Do breathing exercises: When you feel stress is getting the best of you, stop for a moment and take some deep breaths.
- Reduce caffeine and alcohol use: Both substances can stimulate the body, making stress worse.
- Stop smoking: Smoking acts as a stimulant and is just overall bad for your health.
These natural tips are effective means of reducing the stress, which can contribute to high blood pressure. So whether you’re relaxing to Beethoven or practicing your yoga child’s pose, relieving stress is key to healthy blood pressure.