A new study shows that music — whether it’s soothing, jarring, pop or rock — any type can help you recover faster from surgery with less use of painkillers. According to researchers at California Northstate University College of Medicine, listening to music significantly reduces anxiety, pain and heart rate in patients waking up after surgery.

And so, as a result, surgical patients who are provided with music require less than half the amount of morphine – drugs that act on the central nervous system to relieve pain – that is required by those who do not. Those who were not listening to the tune.

“When patients wake up after surgery, sometimes they feel really scared and don’t know where they are,” said Dr. Aldo Frezza, senior researcher and professor of surgery at California Northstate University College of Medicine. “Music can help ease the transition from a state of wakefulness back to normal and can help reduce the stress around that transition,” Frieza said.

How does music help calm the nerves?

According to the study, the findings of which were presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Surgeons in San Francisco, researchers analyzed data collected from 35 already conducted studies on music and its role in recovery from surgery. The data showed that patients who listened to music had a significant reduction in pain and anxiety the day after surgery.

Researchers say that music not only produces a relaxation response in your body that lowers heart rate and blood pressure, but the soothing melodies and relaxing rhythms also create a calm and steady environment. Therefore it allows your cardiovascular system to find balance and promote overall well-being.

Music also reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

Additionally, music can be added to the recovery room at no cost or effort, he noted. The researchers said that the best music for a patient is probably the one they enjoy most. “We’re not trying to say that one type of music is better than another,” Frieza said in a Journal news release. “We think music can help people in different ways after surgery because music can be relaxing and make you feel like you’re in a familiar place.”

Tips for Using Music to Improve Your Health

According to experts, the kind of music you listen to helps enhance your recovery. These include:

listen to relaxing music

The best music for reducing stress is the one that works for you. If you’re not sure where to start, look for music that plays at a tempo of around 60 beats per minute.

keep noise levels low

Experts believe that music should always be enjoyed best and has the best effect when you listen to it at low decibels – as it increases stress levels.

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