Binaural beats, Marconi Union Weightless, enhance concentration, cognitive tasks and sleep
What is Sound Healing?
Sound healing uses vibrations to relax the mind and body. It has been used to relieve certain ailments and resolve common mental health complaints such as anxiety and insomnia.
The practice is used by practitioners and therapists to improve the health of their patients. Sound therapy can invoke different parts of your wellbeing such as your emotional, psychological, spiritual, physical, social & mental states.
What is the science or theory behind it?
Jumping in the science behind it – let’s take a look at how we perceive sounds first. When we hear a sound, our brains automatically process it through waves. Those waves then convert into electrical signals which travel up an area called the auditory nerve and into the auditory cortex. This cortex triggers a response in our brain to produce hormones, emotions and certain impulses.
Neurological studies have proven that listening to music can make us more productive and creative. Sound or music triggers hormones in our auditory cortex to relieve stress and help us to concentrate on our tasks. The aim is to boost our cognitive and motor functioning, as well as our psychological and psychiatric health.
Listening to music can fill our brains with dopamine dubbed happy hormone. It also releases oxytocin, a natural painkiller that helps us bond with others.
Some of the health benefits of sound therapy therefore can:
- lower blood pressure
- improve circulation
- reduce respiratory rates
Binaural beats
Team traWell are big fans of binaural beats. One tone is played in one ear and another tone is played in the other. As both of the tunes are played on either side of the brain – it produces a third internal tone.
Our bodies respond to sound in both a physical and cognitive manner. Binaural beats help synchronise the brain’s activity by providing clarity, alertness and concentration.
Marconi Union – Weightless
This world-famous song has been proven by neuroscientists to reduce stress by 65%. Made by Marconi Union, a UK group of sound therapists who arranged harmonies, rhythms and slow bass lines to specifically reduce blood pressure and lower the stress hormone cortisol.
Why have we incorporated it into traWell?
traWell have incorporated sound therapy to reduce stress and help people sleep better.