Close your eyes. Let the world fade away. Take a breath, and listen. Not to the hustle and bustle around you, but deeper, within yourself. Do you hear it?
The rhythm of your heart, the melody of your soul? That, my friends, is the soundtrack of music, the greatest invention of humanity.
More than just background noise, music matters more than you think!
“Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
Berthold Auerbach
And how true it is! Even a simple piece of music can whisk us away to a majestic world. It has the remarkable power to touch our inner selves, reshape our thoughts, and make worries vanish into thin air.
Music Isn’t Just Entertainment – It’s a Medicine!
Remember that time you were stuck in a traffic jam, frustrated? Then, a familiar song came on the radio, and suddenly, your mood shifted. You found yourself tapping your foot, singing along, and the tension eased away. That’s the magic of music!
Or how about that moment you were feeling lost, adrift in a sea of uncertainties? But then, you put on your favorite playlist, and the lyrics become your compass, guiding you back to your own inner strength.
Music isn’t just entertainment. It’s a medicine, a magical potion that can mend broken hearts, soothe weary minds, and ignite the fire of our spirits. It’s a language understood by every soul, a bridge connecting us across cultures and generations.
“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.”
Bob Marley
But, Why Music Has Healing Powers?
Now, that’s enough of a poetic notion. In reality, the healing power of music is actually backed by a growing body of scientific evidence.
As per Neurochemical, soothing music triggers the release of endorphins, our natural feel-good chemicals. These dampen the stress hormone cortisol, promoting relaxation and lowering anxiety.
Whereas, upbeat music stimulates dopamine and serotonin, neurotransmitters associated with pleasure and positive emotions. Certain musical rhythms can synchronize brainwaves, inducing a state of calm focus similar to meditation.
The “why” of music’s healing power is also deeply individual. Our unique musical preferences, memories, and associations all play a role in how music affects us. A song that reminds you of a happy memory or inspires you can have a profound personal healing effect.
Now, Let’s Talk Favourites
We all have that one piece of music that speaks to our soul, that transcends time and space. For me, the ethereal tunes of science-inspired music like the interstellar soundtracks or like those by Melodysheep or the emotional lullaby of “Saturn” by Sleeping at Last, have an otherworldly impact on my being.
When that first note hits, the world melts away, leaving only me and the infinite universe swirling within the melody.
I can’t put into words the feeling when the music envelops me, it’s as if everything else becomes insignificant, and I’m transported to another realm.
It’s a reminder to me that even on the darkest nights, there’s beauty to be found, and stars to guide us.
Here, give it a listen:
What I also think is that music has the power not only to soothe our individual souls but also to connect us as human beings. Through music, we learn to appreciate the beauty of diversity and, in turn, become better, more compassionate humans.
When Music United Foes in 1914
I’ve heard this story once about the Christmas Truce of 1914 where music became the reason for the ceasefire.
So, in the midst of World War I, German and British soldiers, sworn enemies just hours before, emerged from their shelters, as they were drawn by some unexpected melody.
As Christmas Eve settled over the trenches, soldiers on both sides began to hear the faint strains of Christmas carols sung by the enemy. The beautiful melodies floated through the cold night air, capturing the attention and hearts of all those soldiers on both sides.
That night, the battlefield became a stage for a shared humanity. Enemies laid down their arms and exchanged cigarettes and stories instead of bullets. For a brief moment, the war ceased to exist, replaced by the unifying power of music.
This extraordinary event wasn’t an isolated incident. Throughout history, music has consistently given voice to the collective human experience.
Think of the Chilean miners trapped for 69 days in 2010, kept alive by the shared hope and the above-ground world’s rendition of their favorite song, “Rescátame” (Rescue Me).
Despite our differences, we share a common thread, a heartbeat that resonates to the same rhythm.
Remember, the greatest invention isn’t just for entertainment, it’s for evolution. Music is something that matters the most than you think.
So, the next time you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders, press play and let the healing tunes wash over you. After all, music is the best medicine for the soul.
P.S. Share your favorite musical number in the comments below! Let’s build a playlist of healing melodies for the world to hear.
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December 22, 2023 at 8:31 pm
Ritish, thank you for reminding me of an often-neglected activity in my life, listening to music. I enjoyed your essay about the healing powers of music, and I will try to enjoy music more often. <3
December 23, 2023 at 5:31 pm
Thank you for your kind words, Cheryl. Feel free to share your favorite tunes, I’d love to hear about the melodies that bring you joy! 🙌🏼❤️
December 22, 2023 at 8:59 pm
Such a wonderful post!
The video is fabulous 🎶🎶🎶
December 23, 2023 at 5:32 pm
Glad to hear your enjoyed that melody, its one of those tune that is close to my heart. ❤️🙌🏼🎵
December 23, 2023 at 11:21 pm
Thank you very much for this very kind reply
🙏🙏🙏
December 22, 2023 at 11:51 pm
Music is so important.
December 23, 2023 at 5:34 pm
Period. Music is a timeless journey within 🎵
December 23, 2023 at 2:49 am
wonderful post Ritish. Music is such a gift and healer. Thanks for sharing this. Love it❣️
December 23, 2023 at 5:36 pm
Hello Cindy 👋🏼
And yes of course it is. As it is said, where words leave off, music begins. I would love to hear your favs. 🙌🏼
December 28, 2023 at 1:16 am
Soooo very true and I love the l”ight show”. I finally got to listen to it! sooo amazing. I love music of all kinds!~. This was spectacular, Ritish❣️
December 28, 2023 at 4:53 pm
That’s fantastic 🙌🏼 I too love all kind of music. So, when people ask “what’s your fav genre?” I don’t know what to say 😅I just go “all” except those that I dont like 😅
December 29, 2023 at 4:14 am
hahahha you sound like me.. I don’t much know the names either. I just know if they resonate! ❤️
January 1, 2024 at 11:33 am
Same here Cindy!
Even I don’t know the names. I just like a particular music and start enjoying it….
December 23, 2023 at 6:34 am
A great blog, Thank you. I have an every day ;time out.
ritual which began as simple afternoon nap before a walk with the kittle dog. I hated the term granny nap but I am a granny and this is my time out involving music. I consciously breathe in collectively all the pressures of my day either in news reports needs, personal trials etc . I BREATHE them out and blow them out the window with the fan then I breathe in with a steady flow a preselected piece of music I know. My favourite and the one that soothes my soul, ‘Sweep over my soul. Sweet Spirit sweep over my soul
I Keep breathing out the stuff and breathing in life. Peace like a river is another piece of music where thinking of gentle river flow causes me to sleep, A micro sleep is strongly recommended as a health aid, I find gentle soothing music in my mind works like a gift. with stuff breathed out and then a gentle flow in with beauty of life affirming music. In out,,,,In out . Sensible choosing of music is important. even a beautiful classical piece with no words or pop music with gentle flow,,
December 23, 2023 at 5:42 pm
That is quite a beautiful personal ritual, Faye, and truly inspiring 💖. I remember a time when the chaos of daily life felt overwhelming, and I stumbled upon a song that became my anchor. Music has the incredible power to be a soothing companion. “Sweep over my soul” sounds like a wonderful choice, would definitely give it a listen.
Cheers to finding beauty in the notes 🎵🎶🥂
December 23, 2023 at 9:23 pm
Love this wonderful roundup about the benefits of music. Thank you!
December 23, 2023 at 10:59 pm
Thanks Wynne. True that, music are the Notes that speak where words fail
December 26, 2023 at 6:07 am
So interesting!
I have a friend who says he’d rather be blind than deaf. That’s how much he loves music.
December 26, 2023 at 11:32 am
Music really is the spice of life, and I’m with him on this one. Who needs perfect vision when you can have the perfect playlist? 🎶😄
December 28, 2023 at 3:45 am
Music really does have a way of healing us. It makes us feel hear and seen and allows us an escape from the harsh realities of life. Great post.
December 28, 2023 at 4:56 pm
So true, just put on the headphones and see all your worries disappear into thin air. Thanks for reading, Pooja 🎵
December 28, 2023 at 10:33 pm
My pleasure and yes absolutely.
January 1, 2024 at 7:50 pm
So relatable!!😁
January 3, 2024 at 8:00 pm
Ritish, a beautiful celebration of music and like books, I can’t imagine a world without it. I feel exactly like about ‘the feeling when the music envelops me, it’s as if everything else becomes insignificant, and I’m transported to another realm.’ So true! Thank you for introducing me to Saturn by Sleeping at Last – it is ethereal and exquisite. I love that you mentioned about 1914 and how music brought peace on the Western Front, albeit temporarily. A magical post and here’s to music!
January 4, 2024 at 5:26 pm
Wow, your comment totally made my day, Annika 😊 I’m so glad you enjoyed the post and could relate to the magic of music. Isn’t that feeling when music envelops you just the best?
And thanks, Saturn’s melody is such a gem. Here’s to the incredible power of music 🥂🙌🏼
January 3, 2024 at 9:54 pm
Powerful writing! Great inspiration! And gave me chills to think of Christmas Eve of WWI. I dont have a favorite music, group or sound. It is what I am feeling. I do sing my grandchildren to sleep, and it works every time. thank goodness.
January 4, 2024 at 5:31 pm
Thanks, Donna. I too don’t have any specific favourite music genre. Cindy and I were discussing the same above. And wow, singing your grandchildren to sleep? That’s just precious! ❤️
Thank goodness for the magic of music and those sweet lullabies.
January 12, 2024 at 5:48 am
Informative article and so many reflective thoughts circle around whenever music gets connected to individual soul level, well, personally I feel like getting to universal antenna.
January 15, 2024 at 6:02 pm
Thank you so much. Music truly has the power to connect us on a universal level ✨
February 29, 2024 at 7:38 pm
Agree with this 100%. Thank you. My friend who I just lost unexpectedly, had the power to transform every day through her beautiful music…https://nynkblog.com/2024/01/26/the-day-the-music-died/
March 1, 2024 at 12:15 pm
I’m so sorry to hear about your friend. Music truly has an incredible way of connecting us and leaving a lasting impact.
Sending you strength and peace during this difficult time. ❤️