I was quite impressed by the diary post&;of freesoul (on music ). Let me share some some of my thoughts/ experiences on the subject.I love music from my heart.... whether its classical , semi classical, or western music ... even if you hear those african jungle beats they are also soothing ...( I happen to hear them when my husband brought some home on his return from an UN mission ).Now my story ...when I was working in a hospital .. there were few bedpatients infact coma patients few who were old one and the youngest was just a one year old child (nanu.. a cute chubby boy).. those days I was doing my specialization in paraplegia .During night duties, I used to carry my small radio and whenever some good music was being aired (specially instrumental ) I used to keep the radio near the ears of my patients and beleive me, after a while there used to be a different look on their faces.Initially I thought those were my elusions ...i have even witnessed a smile on that child's face and the docs have also acknowledged the same.I also experimented on my mom and it helped her to lower her BP while she was in coma.Music when heard acts on the brain in different ways...well! some may not agree but it definately changes my mood.. whenever I am tired I put on soft music .. when tiredand frustated I try listening to dance music (classical many times)...when very sad or disturbed .. I put on nice romantic melodies ... they work wonderfully for me .... infact I have overcomed some of my very very bad days of life by listening to music and reading books... In one of the medical journal there was article ..Whether consciously chosen or not, music often influences our moods. However, we know that music of our own choice influences our moods more (Sloboda, O'Neill, & Ivaldi, 2001). From exposure and lifelong experience with music, we develop knowledge of which kinds of music influences us in which ways. We use this knowledge to actively influence our moods in the direction we desire - maintaining a relaxed mood, changing an angry mood, creating a happy mood or even enhancing a sad mood. This is known as mood regulation (Larsen, 2000). Sunil (my dear husband) for these many years never ever liked music ... but when he left for Africa I happened to give him few music albums ( gazals, instrumentals, old classic..and even morning ragas.)..during his stay over there he developed a liking for music and that changed his nature to some extent... specially his short temper . Thats why when you go to places like spa centers-- prayers centers.etc..there is a continuos chant of vedic mantras being played in the background.Sometime it's classcial music which is on... even if u go to CT scan centers they play soft music to distract anxiety and stress...and while I was working in heart centers, in the operation theater it was compulsory to play a very mild music ....as it relaxation feeling to some extent and keep you cool while operating .. for that matter take the retaurants, food and the ambience seem much better if there is music in the background. I must say that music seems to help us with mood regulation by helping mood regulation strategies. Even though we are not always aware of the strategy .. when we consciously think about why we listened to the music, and how it helped us to regulate our mood, it appears to be through broader strategies. The high accesibility of music, and our skilful use of it, makes music such a successful and powerful mood regulation tactic.... Hence, like the bard said...If music be the food of the soul, play on....................
