Music therapy helps combat stress

Stress increases the risk of physical and emotional problems, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, anxiety disorders, depression and burnout. Millions of people are on anxiety-reducing medication to diminish stress, but they can have nasty side-effects or even be addictive. Fortunately, there are alternatives, such as music therapy. A team of scientists has conducted a new meta-analytic review to demonstrate that this form of therapy works. They have published their findings in Health Psychology Review. Previous research has shown that music can influence both physical responses and emotions. Those who listen to music show diminished cortisol values and a lower heart rate.