February 3, 2017 | Blogs and News

We asked students to #GoRedWearRed & share why they ‘heart’ music, to raise awareness for music therapy’s effects on heart health.

Content by Sana Mahajan & Josh Pineda.

Today, February 3rd marks National Wear Red Day! To raise awareness during American Heart Month, Children’s Music Fund is going red for Women’s Heart Health. We are showing support by sharing how music therapy can aid in maintaining a healthy heart, and by asking students to share why they ‘heart’ music.

As the American Heart Association states:

Heart disease and stroke cause 1 in 3 deaths among women each year, killing approximately one woman every 80 seconds. Fortunately, we have the power to change that because 80 percent of cardiac and stroke events may be prevented with education and action.

We want to do our part by providing awareness & education on the benefits of music therapy to reduce some of the leading causes of heart disease, as well as how it aids in the healing process after a cardiovascular incident.

According to Scientific American, studies suggest that engaging with music “can directly trigger physiological changes that modulate blood pressure, heart rate and respiration.” These benefits are significant, as music can physically help individuals cope with stresses and similar risk-factors for heart disease.

In an article from Harvard Health Publications, they site multiple studies revealing that when engaging in music therapy practices, such as guided listening experience, the musical treatment is found to help reduce blood pressure and heart rate, increase blood flow, and reduce anxiety in patients.

Music therapy is also used to help patients cope with chronic heart conditions or after cardiovascular surgery, especially in coping with the added stresses of a hospital stay. As the Harvard Heart letter notes:

Heart disease can be very stressful, and makes some people feel as though they have little control over their lives,” says Suzanne Hanser, who chairs the music therapy department at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Music therapy can alleviate stress, provide a pleasant coping strategy, and impart a feeling of control, she says.

To increase awareness for music therapy effects on cardiovascular health, we asked members of our nearby UCLA community to wear red to support today’s cause, and to share why they ‘heart’ music.
Georgina:

To simply put it, music is life to me. It’s a cliche thought, but it’s true. There is a song for anything and everything that someone goes through. I listen to music almost all the time, since it relaxes me, helps me concentrate, makes me happy, and makes me dance. Different songs have different memories attached to them, so that’s why music is really a source of life to me.

Anusha:

I use music to stay relaxed, especially before stressful situations such as interviews or exams. However, it also takes me back to memories from my childhood, which I always appreciate.

Jessica:

I heart music because it undulates my little world and awakens my soul.

Matt:

I heart music because it is such a vital part of my life. It’s not just because it is soothing or entertaining, but also because it is always present. I often use it as a means to solve my problems or sort out things in my head.

Paavni:

Music is the utmost form of creativity. As a musician, I feel that music brings out your soul, your inner-self and gives you the power to heal everyone that’s hurting around you.

Stan:

Music is universal, and its ability to distill complex emotions and experiences into beautiful art is really amazing. It feels like you can find a song to match any mood or situation, and thats why it can be such a powerful, emotional experience.

We here at Children’s Music Fund believe that music heals, especially in cases of maintaining heart health. Through our research and services, we continually children affected by these chronic heart conditions. Our mission is to provide them with the healing power of music by donating instruments and providing them specialized music therapy treatment.

Join the #GoRedWearRed cause and share with us why you ‘heart’ music. For more information on how music therapy helps heal, or to donate to help us continue our healing through music mission, please visit theCMF.org

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