Music has the power to soothe the savage beast- and to ease a stressed out heart. Listening to music you love may make you feel better about a lousy day. Now there is good evidence that it may also help to relax our blood vessels, maybe even protecting us from high blood pressure, heart attacks, and stroke.
In late 2008, researchers from the University of Maryland reported that when healthy people were allowed to listen to music they loved (no matter whether that music was thrash metal or classical), their blood vessels dilated, or opened up, by 26%. Exercise produces a very similar benefit. When the opposite situation occured, and the volunteers were forced to listen to music that they disliked (elevator music, anyone?) the blood vessels actually contricted slightly.
This was intriguing, so they took the next step, and let the volunteers watch a funny video. Although the findings were not as definite, our arteries appear to enjoy a good laugh almost as much as a great song. On the down side, a so-called "relaxation tape" fell flat, with no real effect on blood flow.
While this is probably the first study showing such specific benefits of music and laughter, it is in line with a study published in the British Medical Journal in 2001 which found that both a Buddhist yogic mantra and the Catholic Ave Maria promote lower blood pressure, decreased respiratory rate, and improved blood flow to the brain.
The bottom line: taking care of your spiritual and mental health may also benefit your physical well-being. And it doesn't hurt to dance to the music!
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