| How do you choose the relaxation music | | | | relatively inexpensive. Even the best |
| that works best? You can certainly start | | | | "sounds of nature" and "easy listening" |
| by experimenting with many different | | | | relaxation CDs are usually no more than |
| types. After all, it seems likely that | | | | twenty-five dollars. However, if you're |
| what one person finds relaxing another | | | | willing to spend a bit more, there is a |
| will find irritating. But is it all just | | | | more scientific approach to using |
| a matter of personal preference? | | | | relaxation music. |
| Actually no. Though ones personal tastes | | | | Altering Your Brainwaves |
| enter into the equation, there are | | | | Some types of music work better than |
| reasons that some types of music are | | | | others because of what they do to our |
| more relaxing than others. For example, | | | | brainwaves. Our brains primarily produce |
| both science and the experience of many | | | | brainwaves at 14 - 30 hertz |
| people point to the usefulness of | | | | (cycles-per-second) during normal waking |
| baroque music for relaxation. Studies | | | | consciousness. In this frequency range |
| have shown that baroque music at 60 | | | | they are referred to as "beta" waves. |
| beats per minute causes your brain to | | | | Frequencies from 8 - 14 hertz are |
| produce more alpha brainwaves. Why does | | | | "alpha" waves, which are present when we |
| that matter? More on that in a moment. | | | | are more relaxed. Around 4 - 8 hertz is |
| For now, here are some specific examples | | | | the "theta" range, accompanied by a |
| of good relaxation music. | | | | deeper meditative or drowsy state. |
| "Harpsichord Concerto in F Minor," by | | | | Finally, during deep sleep delta waves |
| J.S. Bach | | | | (below 5 hertz) are produced. |
| "Concerto No.10 in F Major from Twelve | | | | Meditation stimulates the more relaxing |
| Concerti Grossi," by A. Corelli | | | | states of consciousness especially if it |
| "Winter" from "The Four Seasons," by A. | | | | is regularly practiced. The good news, |
| Vivaldi | | | | if you don't have the time nor |
| "Canon in D," by Pachelbel | | | | inclination to meditate, is that music |
| "Adagio in G Minor for Strings," by | | | | which has been embedded with certain |
| Albinoni | | | | beats works in the same way. This is the |
| Often it's just a passage from these | | | | basis for the newest brainwave |
| that has the most relaxing effect. In | | | | entrainment technologies, based on |
| the first three examples above, the | | | | decades of research. Simply listen to |
| movements referred to as "largo" work | | | | these CDs or MP3s with headphones and |
| best. | | | | they alter your brainwaves, causing a |
| What other types of music help people | | | | quick relaxation response. |
| relax? Light jazz (try Luther Vandross) | | | | In other words, if you're willing to |
| works for some. Eastern music, like that | | | | spend a little more, you get true |
| which uses the Indian Sitar, is another | | | | relaxation technology. Also, these |
| favorite (try Ravi Shankar). Generic | | | | products generally have pleasant music |
| easy listening music with sounds of | | | | for a background too (though some use |
| nature mixed in is a common choice as | | | | rain or wave sounds). That makes them |
| well. | | | | the best kind of relaxation music in my |
| Any of the music in these examples is | | | | experience. |