Health is not merely the absence of disease and sickness but a state of wellbeing; physical, mental, and social wellbeing. There is increasingly more realization of the role played by music and arts in the wellbeing of people. Participation as an observer of music and arts created by others or creating one’s own music and arts has been seen to enhance the moods, emotions, and the psychological state of people. Engaging in creative activities has been shown to reduce stress and decrease the incidences of depression and chronic diseases. It has been shown to help in healing emotional injuries, reduce symptoms, and alter patterns of behaviour from the negative to the hopeful and positive.
Music Therapy To The Rescue Of Patients
In Greek mythology, Apollo was the God of healing and music, reiterating the importance of music in the healing process. Music and the creative arts help to calm a person down, thereby decreasing his blood pressure, slowing down the heart rate, and decreasing stress hormones. Music has even been shown to help both surgeons and their patients in the operating theaters. The heartbeat, the brain waves, and the breathing of human beings follow a certain rhythm. Therefore, research suggests that the human brain responds positively to the rhythm, repetition, tones, and tunes that is found in music. Music therapy has also been shown to help with coordination and balance, which is why it is used to help stroke patients and patients with Parkinsons to get back the various movements they have lost.
Creative Therapies Aiding The Healing Process
Music heals and relieves stress and restores mood. It has been shown to open the memory vaults of patients with dementia too. It is a lot easier to do exercise when listening to music. Singing lyrics has been shown to help in quicker recovery of people with speech impairment. The creative therapies most popularly used to aid in speeding up the healing process are visual arts therapy, music, expressive writing, and dance. These therapies are used to supplement medical therapy and care and are not used in isolation. Creative therapies help children who are going through painful medical treatment to be distracted from the pain. It has also been shown to help in prevention of mental breakdowns and building up a state of wellbeing. A lot of care homes, senior centers, and hospices use music and arts therapy to engage their residents in activities that improve their wellbeing.
Integrating Music And Arts Into Clinical Environments Music and arts therapy practitioners use their tools as alternative approaches to healing. This helps to decrease the use of drugs such as tranquilizers and sedatives. It helps to reduce hospital stays and thereby contributes to the financial wellbeing of the patients and their families. Patients and their families become more peaceful and cooperative, thus contributing to better doctor-patient relationships. Healing arts and music programs are increasingly being integrated into clinical environments for children and for adults too. Artists and musicians are employed to transform drab hospital wards into peaceful sanctuaries for these patients.
