Make Music Work For You

Many things can affect your state of mind/level of consciousness and physiological frequency.
Things like words, images, sensations, and sounds. And, more specifically, music.

Music plays a huge part in most, if not all, cultures around the world. Since the stone age, humans have assembled different sounds with different rhythms to create different results, like getting into a shamanistic trance, or celebrating with a feast. Some types of music energize us. Others soothe us. Some make us angry, some make us sad. The different sounds caused by different instruments or technologies influence us in certain ways. The rhythm and beat of the music affects our own rhythm and frequency of vibration, our heartbeat tends to synchronise with the beat of the music, and our breathing speeds up or slows down accordingly... affecting the oxygen, nutrients and overall vibration of every cell in our body. Not to mention the fact that the sound waves also actually hit us physically and affect us that way too. And when you add words to the mix, they also have an effect on our thoughts and consciousness, especially when they are repeated.

The point here is to be aware of the music you listen to, and to choose wisely.

Having your music selection on random can be fun, especially if you treat it as an experiment in entropy - or to practice your ESP as you "guess" which song will show up next. And listening to the radio is great when you want something different or want to hear a human voice every once in a while. But there are some times when you need to put yourself in a certain frame of mind, and only a certain type of music will do it. Then it's good to know what you need and where to get it.

Here are some guidelines:

-Classical music in the 60 beats per minute range - one per second- (Baroque style), with high frequency sounds (like a high note on the violin), are the best for learning and being creative. Since most people's heart rate is around 70-80 beats per minute, they calm the body and simultaneously stimulate the mind. Allowing our brainwaves to reach a more alpha pattern... similar to meditation. This also recharges and refreshes your brain due to the effect that these high frequency, rhythmic, soothing sounds have on certain structures in the inner ear. So when you need your brain working optimally, go classical.

-Music with a rhythm of 80, 90, or more beats per minute will boost your heart rate and breathing artificially and make your energy level go up with it... if it doesn't make you feel anxious. It all depends on how much you are willing to get into the same rhythm. If you resist it, like some people do when they don't like the music, they don't synchronize with it and end up really not liking it because their heart rate still goes up. At the unconscious level, a rising heart rate causes many reactions in the body. All of them pointing to a need for some ACTION. So if you just sit there with your heart racing, you won't feel good. With this music, you need to MOVE. Great for getting pumped up and excited! As long as you choose the right speed for what you want to do... and make sure you play something slower every once in a while, just to give yourself the chance to recharge a little.

-Music that has a very slow beat at less than 60 (50,40 or less) is perfect for total relaxation of mind and body. This can help you drop all the tension you have accumulated, and just let go. Great for falling asleep.

-If you are listening to or using songs and music with words, be aware that the words will be seeping into your mind, consciously or not -especially if you synchronize with the music- and therefore it is wise to steer yourself towards songs with lyrics that empower you or support your goals, and make you feel really good, instead of ones which make you think and feel like crap. Sometimes, it's just better to go with pure sound and instrumentation to avoid negative lyrics.

Well, there you have it.
Take this as a starting point and find out more of what works for you.

When something as simple and easy as playing the right music can change your mood and your physiology to better suit a certain situation, why not take full advantage of it.

It's so easy, and so much fun too!
Enjoy!

Charles

Copyright © Charles Begin