By Priscilla Osaje

Some music enthusiasts in Abuja on Friday urged Nigerians to imbibe the habit of listening to music, saying that music is a therapeutic tool for relaxation and stress management.

The music enthusiasts told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that music impacted brain function and human behaviour, adding that it also reduced stress, pain and symptoms of depression.

Mr Godwin Ekewmen, a counselor, who said that the role of music in the life of human could not be over-emphasised, added that it made an individual to feel happy and also improved health and well-being.

Ekewmen said that music helped in improving human emotional well-being, as well as restoring people from depression and anxiety.

According to him, it helps us to celebrate joyful events and console us when we are sad.

“Music can improve mood, decrease pain and anxiety, as well as facilitate opportunities for emotional expression.

“Music therapy is used by our hospital and palliative care-board; certified music is therapist to enhance conventional treatment for anxiety and a variety of illness and diseases.

Mr Alfred Garba, a music enthusiast, said in spite of challenges and hardship in life, music could make a person to feel more optimistic and positive about life.

According to him, music therapy helps in effective relaxation and stress management that could help a person to deal with any health challenges.

“I am a lover of music; lyrics of some songs will make one brain to reset. When I am down with any issue of life, listening to good and inspiring music always lift up my spirit,’’ Garba said.

Also, Mr Daniel Lemanzon, a medical practitioner, said music could boost the brain’s production of the dopamine hormone to help relieve feelings, anxiety and depression.

According to him, research has proven beyond reasonable doubt that listening to good music could relieve stress by triggering biochemical stress reducers.

“When you are feeling down, music can help you up just like exercise. It relaxes an agitated patient, improve the mood and open communication in patients.

“It also reduces anxiety, blood pressure, pains and improves sleep quality, mental alertness and memory,’’ medical practitioner said.

Mrs Loveth Momoh, an artiste, said that in Christendom, when a person listened to a spiritual music, his or her countenance would change, adding that such a person will feel spiritually uplifted and hopeful.

Mr Chuks Ngbada, a student of University of Port Harcourt said that reading without music was just like pouring water in a basket.

Ngbada said, “I get faster assimilation when reading with music playing at the background. This has helped me during examination where I always come out with excellent grades.

“Personally, I can’t do without music; it has helped me in so many ways. To me, living without music is a worthless living. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Collins Yakubu-Hammer/ Deji Abdulwahab