Hello! My name is Caz Campbell. I’ve lived in Newbury most of my life, I’m a mum of two daughters who are 5 & 7 and I have three other job “hats” which are all on my website: www.happykindcalm.co.uk  I teach baby massage, I’m an emotional coach and I’ve published a book focusing on happiness, kindness and calmness. It’s called “Donkey on a Waffle” and includes topics which I’m going to talk about in this blog.

Music Can Spark Pure Joy!…

This Saturday 20^th March is International Day of Happiness. So I thought I’d write about the topic of music, which is a huge passion for me – festivals are my happy place so I’ve really missed this in the last year. Music can evoke instant happiness in all ages and you’ll find it in every corner of the world!

Music has some serious scientific benefits for our health and overall well-being. Not only can it soothe a broken heart, motivate a workout and bring people together, but it can improve memory function, sleep quality, increase rates of healing and act as a powerful stress management tool.

It can improve health:

Music’s form and structure can bring order and security to disabled and distressed children. It encourages coordination and communication, so improves their quality of life.

Listening to music on headphones reduces stress and anxiety in hospital patients before and after surgery.

Music can help reduce both the sensation and distress of both chronic pain and postoperative pain.

Listening to music can relieve depression and increase self-esteem ratings in elderly people.

Music therapy significantly reduces emotional distress and boosts quality of life among adult cancer patients.

It can improve relationships:

Hearing music alters the neurochemicals in our brains and triggers the release of dopamine and endorphins. These neurotransmitters lift our mood and allow us to share a positive chemical rush with the people we’re with.

Several studies observing indigenous people who use music in their gatherings, found that listening to music together strengthens the bonds in groups by making people feel they belong and increasing their positive perceptions of the people within their community.

The rhythm of music also synchronizes people– a sway, tap of the foot, nod of the head, or full on dancing – moving in sync with other people makes you in tune with them.

What are your favourite / go-to songs to feel happy, energized or uplifted?