More and more people are turning to music as therapy for aid anxiety, to ease pain relief or lift depression.
Research has demonstrated that tunes with a strong beat can actually affect our brainwaves to the extent that they sync with the rhythm of the music. Faster beats induce sharper concentration and slower beats create a much more meditative state of mind.
These changes in brainwave pattern filter down to our nervous system, affecting our heartbeat and even our breathing. This explains why slow gentle songs are best listened to before bedtime - they can physically slow us down.
Health practitioners claim that, used effectively, music can create a more positive state of mind which, in turn, counteracts the stress levels responsible for so many illnesses.
Dr Harry Witchell, an expert in physiology and music, monitored individuals’ moods through their breathing and revealed his results in an interview with the BBC.
Two of the saddest songs were The Verve’s ‘The Drugs Don't Work’ and Robbie Williams’ ‘Angels’, whereas Lily Allen’s ‘LDN’ and Abba’s ‘Dancing Queen’ significantly lifted the participants’ mood- so book a ticket to Mamma Mia now to cheer yourself up!