No one can deny how stressful life has become. People always seem to be on the lookout for some means to relax and ease their minds. It got me thinking about alternative healing therapies like sound baths.
You might have heard about sound bath meditations being offered in many spas as a means to provide rest and relaxation. While they may seem like a fad or recent addition to the self-care space, sound baths aren’t really a modern concept. The science of sound healing goes way back. The technique has been in use in multiple cultures worldwide for thousands of years.
So what is a sound bath? How does it keep stress and anxiety at bay? What benefits does it offer? How can you incorporate it into your self-care routines? If you are intrigued to find out about sound bath benefits and more, join us on the deep dive into it!
What Is A Sound Bath?
Before we elaborate more on the science of sound healing, it’s important to understand the basic concept of a sound bath.
Spoiler: sound baths do not include immersion in water (unless you’re into that).
Simply, a sound bath is a meditative experience where sound waves are used to “wash over” or bathe the attendees. Various items are used to produce sound waves, some of them being healing instruments. Examples of sources commonly used include:
- Crystal or brass singing bowls
- Chimes
- Rattles
- Tuning forks
- Gongs
- Shakers
- Harps
While beautiful, the music isn’t meant to entertain. You likely will not hear a catchy melody during sound baths, but you will definitely be moved by harmony and dissonance. The purpose of the sound is to ease your mind.
According to Tamalyn Miller, a part of Naturopathica Chelsea, NYC as a lead sound practitioner, the aim is to use sound to balance the listener’s energy. Thus, you wouldn’t be hooked to the melody. The music would enable the listener to let go of all the pent up stress and anxiety.
Most people enjoy sound baths by laying on the ground. This helps to calm the body and more deeply feel vibrations.
If that isn’t a position that you are comfortable holding for an extended period, you could modify this (similar to yoga). Try laying on a mat or bed, consider adding a pillow under the head or knees, cuddle under a blanket, or cover the eyes to relax into the meditation.
Understanding The Science Of Sound Healing
How often has it happened that you lose your mind due to loud noises? You have probably faced situations where a particular sound drove you crazy, like maybe a loud bird sound or constant construction noises? In our busy world, even a socially-distanced world, such instances are all too common.
Have you ever wondered that if sounds can irritate you and cause an unsettling feeling, they can also do the opposite? This is what the science of sound healing is all about.
Sound baths, also referred to as sound meditation, use various noises to soothe your nerves. Several studies confirm the benefits of this technique.
One such study conducted in 2017, published in the Journal of Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, explains sound therapy benefits. During this, 62 people were given an hour of a sound bath. Their anger, anxiety, and pain were gauged before and after the therapy via questionnaires. The results revealed that sound treatment alleviated pain, anger, and tension significantly.
The primary mode of action of sound healing seems to lie in its ability to switch off the fight or flight responses in the body. The stress response is countered by sound healing, slowing down the heart rate, and activating healing in the body.
This is what provides you with the ample benefits of sound healing. This was also illustrated by a study conducted in 2015 and published in the Journal of Pain Research and Management. The study revealed that low-frequency sound simulation reduced pain and improved sleep in people.
If you are still not convinced about the sound therapy benefits and its effect on brain waves, perhaps a session will change your mind. You need to realize, the technique of sound bath is not nonsense or some sort of fad. It is backed by science.
Every sound played during the sound bath has a purpose. It tunes your brain to a sense of peace and tranquility. The brain waves are slowed down, and your mind is eased after the session. All the unsettling feelings will calm down with the help of a sound bath session.
Benefits Of Sound Healing
By now, you are well aware of what is a sound bath and the science behind it, but what about sound bath benefits?
Gets Rid Of Stress And Anxiety
Alpha and theta brain waves are activated via sound baths. These waves are deeply associated with peaceful states. Therefore, sound therapy allows your body and heart to heal by reducing stress and anxiety.
Organizes Your Thoughts
Are you having difficulty aligning your thoughts and regaining your composure? Do you feel that your mind is all over the place? A session of a sound bath can make a difference by clearing your mind and enhancing focus. Your ability to concentrate is improved.
Reconnect With Your Own Self
We seem to lose touch with our true selves while pursuing the dream career, taking care of family or friends, or saving for that next vacation. Sound therapy can provide you with an opportunity to connect with your inner self once again. It will give you much needed inner peace by dedicating time to spend alone.
Enhances Spiritual Wellbeing
The sound bath environment is highly relaxing and peaceful. It will put your inner-self at ease and make you more balanced and focused. Many sound baths begin and end with prayer or guided meditation, connecting you to a deeper sense of purpose and belonging. This connectedness is just one of the many benefits of sound healing you may experience by the end of the session This spiritual component is why many people consider sound baths healing rituals.
Good For Your Overall Health
Sound therapy benefits are not limited to your mind and mood. Indeed, it also does wonders for your overall health. In addition to the many psychological effects, sound baths provide physiological benefits as well. For example, blood pressure and heart rate are reduced due to sound baths. Sound meditation can even enhance your respiratory system and improve your sleep!
Incorporating Sound Baths Regularly to Reap the Benefits
Knowing that something could be good for us and incorporating it into our lives are two different things, right? If you are interested in trying this self-care practice, figure out the most accessible way to incorporate sound healing into your schedule.
The research shows that a one-on-one sound bath experience is more beneficial. While you can indeed purchase sound healing instruments to create a sound bath at home, having the guidance of an expert will do you more good.
Many spas offer sound baths. It wouldn’t take long. Merely 10 to 15 minutes would suffice. Even in the most hectic days, you can take at least 15 minutes for your peace of mind. If you are able to find more time, try extending your sound meditation to 30 or even 45 minutes.
Pre-recorded sound baths are also an easy (and potentially cheaper) option to experiment with sound baths. There are YouTube videos, meditation apps, and specialists available to try out. You might prefer the sound of singing bowls or the vibrations of harp strings—so give them all a try!
Consider adding sound baths to your daily or weekly self-care routine.
Conclusion
There are numerous sound therapy benefits. We all experience stress and anxiety now and then. Sound therapy provides you with an excellent means to cut loose from the daily grind and ease your mind. It gives you the energy to get back to work with more focus and is great for overall health.
As with most things woo-woo, sound baths might seem a little “out there”. But it’s also existed for thousands of years. So, don’t knock it til you’ve tried it! Grab a pillow and blanket then dive into a sound bath. xoxo Mo
