March 1 is World Music Therapy Day, the day that showcases how music makes life better and more rewarding for people around the globe. Often referred to as a universal language, music has tremendous powers of healing – physically, cognitively, socially and emotionally. Listening to music, singing, dancing and using musical instruments all help to promote movement and provide ways to communicate and express feelings. In fact, music can be very helpful in all aspects of life, whether you need to relax, motivate yourself, get creative or focus on a game of online poker. Let’s look at ways to harness the power of music for your well-being on March 1 – and every other day.
Calling Dr Feelgood
One of the most common disorders that people seek therapy for is depression. Let’s face it, with all life’s pressures, it’s not always easy to maintain sound mental health. But music can help with that. Neuroscientists have discovered that music is the original Dr. Feelgood. That’s because listening to music positively stimulates the reward centers of your brain, which then generates hits of dopamine that can make you feel good.
What kind of music makes you, personally, feel good is down to your personal tastes. That said, scientists have isolated certain feel-good factors intrinsic to popular music. These include a high tempo, a major key and lyrics you can relate to. So one of the best things you can do for yourself on March 1 is simply to crank up your favorite tunes and let your brain do its thing.
Baby, can you focus?
The modern world is often stressful, and it’s so easy to get distracted from the tasks at hand. Maybe you’re preparing a work presentation, scheduling your time for the week ahead, or working out the best strategy for playing poker online with a live dealer. Whatever the case, chances are you could probably do with a bit more focus in your life.
The good news is that depending on the nature of the task, music can help you to concentrate and be more productive. Classical music, for example, seems to improve our ability to process information and learn. Nature music can block out distracting background noise, while cinematic music can motivate you to keep on going. Then there’s video game music. Believe it or not, the engaging soundtracks for video games such as online slots can help train your brain, putting you in the right frame of mind to navigate obstacles and solve problems.
Straight up relaxing
One of the best ways to shake off stress and anxiety is simply to relax, and listening to music is one of the most potent forms of relaxation there is. It’s even more powerful when used as an aid to meditation. During meditation, music can help you cut out all the mixed-up thoughts that may be causing you stress, resulting in enhanced physical and emotional well-being. Meditation can also help you gain new perspective, increase self-awareness, reduce negative emotions and focus on the present. It can even help you to become a better gamer!
I like to move it, move it
A healthy balanced lifestyle demands a certain amount of physical exercise. How much exactly varies from one person to another, but a total lack of exercise brings on health problems that no amount of meditation can fix. It’s especially problematic if you have a sedentary occupation or a hobby that keeps you in front of a screen, such as picking up a new skill, learning a new language or playing online casino games.
The great news is that there are many easy ways to keep fit at home. The only stumbling block is motivation, and the best way to overcome that initial reluctance is to pump up the jam. That’s because music helps you keep pace, elevate your mood, get you in the groove and make you want to move! There’s even scientific evidence to show that music can make you work harder, increasing endurance during a workout by up to 15%.
Get the party started
Whenever there’s a date to celebrate, be it March 1 or any other, it’s great to throw a party. Socializing is more important than ever in these times, especially when people may not have done much mixing for some time, so you’ll want to think of ways to break the ice. One tried-and-trusted ice-breaker is to have a party theme. Game of Thrones, 1980s, superheroes, James Bond, tea parlor, murder mystery and Bohemian Nights are popular at the moment, but there’s no limit to what you can dream up. Whatever theme you choose, though, pay attention to the music! Say you’re going with a casino table games theme. You could set the mood with classic tunes by Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley as well as more recent numbers such as Katy Perry’s “Waking up in Vegas” and “Snake Eyes” by Mumford and Sons. Luckily, streaming music apps simplify the search for music, with playlists to suit any theme.
Feel that online casino rhythm at BetMGM
If you’re looking for a different kind of listening experience, sign up to play online casino games with BetMGM. We’ve got a host of online slot machines with compelling soundtracks that will keep you engaged as the animated special features and bonus rounds unreel, not to mention specific music-themed online slots such as Jimi Hendrix, Ozzy Osbourne and Motörhead.
If you’re looking for a more relaxed vibe, our RNG casino table games are the last word in ambient music, while funky music and sound effects make live dealer casino games such as Dream Catcher even more entertaining.
