The effect of sound: Part 1
Constant exposure to elevated sound levels like machinery, air and ground traffic can cause hearing impairment and hypertension. These noises cause overload as the brain releases stimulating chemicals which can damage brain cells. It’s important to have a balancing effect on the brain’s tranquilizing chemicals. Sound travels through different mediums like solids, liquids and gasses. I have experienced the effects which different sounds have on me and came to realize how sound can affect a person’s mood and well-being.
I have noticed over the past few years how the natural sounds by nature and different kinds of music influenced my mood and actions. On holiday, I for the first time became aware of my hyped sensitivity towards the sound of the crushing waves and I was quite surprised as I always used to find it very soothing.
When looking back at the trip going to and from my last holiday a week ago. I picked up how I could listen to pop on our six-hour drive to the coast but yet on return I could not stand it and my kids had to turn to classical music. This made me wonder why this changed and I had to do some research to find the answers.
I am sure we all have experienced the peaceful and calming effect of water in some kind of form. Sitting at the river on our farm listening to the sound of the burbling water, the different song of the birds and the rustle of the wind moving through the trees used to rejuvenate me and I could sit there for hours. Since in town, I have the sound of the pumps in both my daughters fish tank and the swimming pool which also have quite a mesmerizing effect on me.
First I decided to analyse my mood on our trip and realized I could listen to pop on the way there as I was energized with excitement to go to my sanctuary and recharging my batteries. The pop was great because it raised my heartbeat and I was on a high. Coming back was a total different story. The day of our return was so beautiful; wind calm, sunny and hot that we decided to first go and enjoy the sea for the last time. We played and swam till midday after which we quickly had to pack and hit the road.
We were hot, tired, got a little sunburn and very down hearted because our holiday came to an end. My kids put on their pop and after the first 4 songs I begged them, hyped with irritation to turn off the music. The music felt like it was draining the little bit of energy I had left. My daughter pulled out a classical CD with piano solos and I could not believe the immediate calming effect it had on me. The first few songs calmed me down and when the CD reached the more energetic songs I actually started dancing and singing in my seat, enjoying the drive and scenery. The trip felt like it was cut in half.
Now what caused my hyped sensitivity towards the sound of the ocean during the past holiday?
I have learned that temperature effects the speed of sound. Heat like sound is a kinetic energy. Molecules move faster because the heat causes more energy. The noise of the sea is affected by the humidity in the air, on a very humid day the air density is high and the sound travels slower and the sound is louder as it has more molecule particles. So my sensitivity to the loud sound of the breaking of the waves had to do with the high humidity we experienced during the week at the coast.
Explanation of how sound affects our moods:
Throughout the years I have always wondered why some days I love opera and heavy classical music and on others I feel like I can climb the wall. Both in movies and adds the marketers know which sounds to use to influence our behavior.
We do not always realise the power of the sounds we are surrounded by. How do you feel when someone continuously clicks their pen while you are trying to concentrate? Agitated, annoyed or frustrated. How tolerant are you when tired or stressed? Add some outward influences like music which is very loud with noisy vocals and you will feel like you can go off your head.
There was a study done on the world’s most addictive sounds and a babies’ giggle came in as number one. It has been proven that music with a fast beat helps during a gym workout as it motivates us to keep moving and even pick up our pace, while slow music in a restaurant will cause us to shew slower and savour the food.
Sound is movement of energy. It consists of vibrations which travels through different mediums at different speeds. The vibration cause movement in air particles (waves) which bumps into each other and cause sound. Life is also an energy and we have our own pattern of frequencies. When you experience an outside frequency your bodies frequency will match. Strong vibrations can cause a form to restructure itself. Sound waves and their frequencies affects our moods as different pulses stimulate different brainwave centers. The nerve bundles in our spine transmit vibrational sensory data to the brain stem and limbic system which is our emotional processing center.
Do yourself a favor and look at different sounds and how they affect your moods and write them down.
In the next part I will address how the power of sound can be used in alternative medicine for healing.
I did a post about frequency and vibration and how it effects us physically that you can find on my blog if you're interested.
When touring in a rock band years ago, we used to place a raw egg in front of the speaker of the PA system and by the end of the show the vibrations from the speaker would cook the egg. Imagine what it was doing to our brains.
Very good post, thank you.
Thank you so much for sharing this with us luzcypher this is very interesting and alarming. Love learning from others here on steemit and will go check out your post.
I think you'll find it interesting and in line with the topic of this post.
Thanks. So was your post.
I love music~
Me too. I very seldom hear the lyrics because I am too cought up with the beat and harmonies of the different musical instruments.
Oh my favorite thing to do is eat some magical mushrooms, throw on my headphones and go hiking! :D