Music to control blood pressure
There is scientific evidence now to advise people to listen to the music of Verdi, the Italian composer. It helps to relax and feel calm and likely to lower blood pressure than listening to pop, rock or jazz.
According to research done at Oxford University, slow music with a 10-second repetitive cycle has a noticeable calming effect on listeners because it matches the body’s natural 10-second waves of blood pressure control.
The music of Verdi, alongwith the slow movements of Ludwig Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and the arias in Giacomo Puccini’s opera Turandot, are among the most calming pieces of music because they match perfectly to the rhythm of the cardiovascular system, said Peter Sleight of Oxford University. ‘Music is already being used commercially as a calming therapy but this has happened independent of controlled studies into its effectiveness,’ he added.
There must be music in other cultures too composed by the musicians that would have similar effect on calming but that needs to be researched. However, there is no doubt that music has no language and that music heals.
Written by: Dr. Ajay Sati.
