Have you ever asked yourself how and why, with our two ears, we are able to perceive and track down sounds? When we try to look around, every little tick of the clock, the sound of our gadgets, birds chirping, the wind blowing through the branches of the tree, or the loud performance of your favorite rock star in concert are all part of our daily encounter with sounds. What you feel and hear from the empty space around you is actually filled with different sound waves and vibrations. Though the sound is invisible, it seems like we could see it as we describe the smoothness or roughness of its rhythmic frequencies.
Modern research indicates that sounds can relieve stress[1] , but even looking to the past based on archaeological findings, sounds and music have been recognized for their restorative and healing value. As stated in history, Greek physicians used flutes, lyres, and zithers to treat their patients. They employed vibration to alleviate health issues like digestion, manage mental disturbances, and induce sleep. In his famous book, Aristotle said that flute music might evoke intense emotions and cleanse the mind. From that perspective, we already know that sounds are far more powerful than we realize. In 2022, sound is considered as the new trend of healing. Let us take a look at three amazing facts about sound healing as the new trend for health in 2022.
What is Sound Healing?
From a scientific standpoint, sounds are classified into physical and psychological categories. Sound physics addresses the pressure changes associated with an object’s vibration, which are subsequently experienced by the outer and middle ear physiology. The psychology of sound is concerned with how our brain interprets each sound, which conveys information about our surroundings and generates emotions and sentiments. According to scientists, the mechanics of hearing are plain and simple, but what we hear, how we hear it, and how we perceive sound is more complex[2]. We absorb whatever is around us. Our health is inextricably linked to our senses, one of which is the sense of hearing. The transmission of sound into the brain and throughout the body considerably influences an individual’s well-being. When we begin to entertain our senses with our well-being, healing takes its place.
What are the benefits of sound healing?
Sound healing makes a difference due to its excellent benefits. Since ancient times, societies across the globe, especially indigenous peoples, have used it in various ways.
According to a study[1] , those who are depressed and anxious are more likely to become sick. The Tibetan singing bowl meditation focused on this research, which looked at how it affected people’s moods, anxiety, pain, and spiritual well-being. More than 60 people (average age of 49.7 years) participated in the study. There was a considerable reduction in stress and negative emotions after sound meditation compared to pre-meditation. It shows that individuals who had never done meditation before had a higher decrease in tension than those who had done it before. All participants reported a rise in their sense of spiritual well-being. Stress, worry, and despair are alleviated via Tibetan singing bowl meditation, a low-cost, low-tech method. Individuals who have never meditated before may find this sort of meditation particularly helpful for reducing stress.
Although sound healing has many of the same positive effects on the body and mind as meditation does (including stress management and a better immune system), it overstates many of these advantages. Listening to music may positively impact people’s health and well-being.
Why makes it so trendy?
In 2022, we will experience the power of sound via new technologies that will improve our hearing experience. In the same way, high-tech hearing aids record the best quality of what we hear. High-tech speakers can give us algorithmic sounds for specific purposes, like healing, or an AI-powered watch can tell us what time it is. These are gadgets capable of capturing all of the tiniest elements of any sound. Artificial intelligence-powered soundscapes and digitized ancient sound healing practices will now be heard loud and clear. Certain gadgets are controlled by software and are motivated to make higher-quality audio simpler and determine the future of listening.
What modern technology paves the era of sound healing?
Sound is all around us; it’s powerful, mesmerizing, and enthralling to our entire body and even to the depths of our soul. Technology with a growing awareness of sound’s importance on health, we see the ultimate value of hearing or the science of sound sending its invisible waves that may pave a new way of healing in this new era. Just like some applications with algorithmic music and watches that were powered by AI (Artificial Intelligence) that help children and adults fall asleep while reducing distraction or applications that have one-of-a-kind soundscapes for relaxation, sleep, focus, study, and recovery. It is not unrealistic to imagine a near future where these soundscapes become crucial in helping us access the well-being advantages of meditation or sharpening the mind for creative work. Meaning, with the push of a button or a single click, AI-powered music will coordinate with neurons in the direction of the desired mood, increasing delta waves for deeper sleep, attention, or better work productivity, thereby targeting wellness and healing.
Exploring new methods such as sound baths, using modern technology, paves the way for a new way of healing. In a sound bath, the user will just lie comfortably on the floor while the clinician plays instruments that produce different vibratory qualities, bathing them with sound. Accordingly, many people, after using a sound bath, experience that their anxious, fearful thoughts have quieted and been restored with a deep sense of calm and a stronger connection to their true self.
Why should you try it?
Why not give it a go and see whether you like it? As well as relaxing the mind and body, sound therapy can break through blocks in the body, such as stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, sleep problems, pain, and even autism. Sound therapy has also been beneficial in treating these diseases.
People who suffer from chronic pain, sleeplessness, depression, or anxiety might benefit from this technique similar to musical incantations. Sessions usually led to a reduction in anxiety, stress, and depressive feelings. Sound healing practices, known as “Sound Baths,” are utilized in contemporary times to decrease stress, alleviate body tension, and calm the mind, among other benefits. A deeper level of relaxation is achieved as a result, along with the related health advantages. Additionally, the therapeutic power of sound vibrations may be used in sound baths, which can remove toxins throughout the body, unblock and reroute energy, and balance the hemispheres of the brain.
Takeaway
Sound healing looks like a magnificent practice not rooted in reality. However, according to the laws of physics, all sounds have resonance and cause vibrations.
Because of this fact, we may infer that sound has the power to touch our whole selves and not only our ears. When it comes to making people’s lives better in a meaningful, healthy manner, people are always looking for new and innovative ways to employ sound and emphatic technologies. Knowing these three fascinating facts about sound healing today can help you stay healthy in 2022.
References:
- Effects Of Singing Bowl Sound Meditation on Mood, Tension, And Well-being: An Observational Study. (2017, July 1). PubMed Central (PMC). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5871151/.
- Psychophysiology And Psychoacoustics of Music: Perception of Complex Sound In Normal Subjects And Psychiatric Patients. (2004, January 1). PubMed Central (PMC). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC400748/.