Music can Boost your Mood! Strategy #2

Last week I talked about the LMNOPs of bringing more health promoting pleasure into your life.  The first strategy was Laughter, the second fun strategy to help you feel good is Music.

Everyone knows from personal experience that music can energize you, make you feel good or it can relax you and help you feel more grounded.  In short, it helps shift your emotional and physical state.

We now know that listening to moving music actually causes the brain to release dopamine, a feel-good neurotransmitter.  A study done by Valorie Salimpoor, a neuroscientist at McGill University in Montreal, had people listen to 15 minutes of moving music. Then they measured dopamine levels with a PET scan.  The technique showed, definitively, for the first time, that people's brains released large amounts of dopamine when they listened to music that gave them chills.

For everyone, but particularly cancer patients in treatments, changing your mood can be very helpful. So I invite you to think about ways to include more moving music into your routine - starting today!

Think about all your favorite songs, songs or music that really move you; classical, jazz, rock, country & western, solos, etc.  I am moved by songs like Amazing Grace and Ave Maria.  How often do you listen to music? Can it be more often? For instance having a favorite CD in your car to listen to instead of the news! Or load-up your iPod or MP3 player with some great old or new songs – it is cheap and easy to do.

Next week I’ll talk about strategy 3; Nurturing yourself!

Until next week, be and love your true and amazing self and enjoy your favorite music!

Jackie