21/09/2025

ON SUNDAY September 21, 2025 theSunday Special XI

Music therapy is increasingly being used in hospitals and care facilities. A 2025 Cochrane review of 30 studies involving 1,720 participants found that music-based therapy can probably improve depressive symptoms in people living with dementia, especially when the music is person ally meaningful and may help with social interaction. In surgical settings, a 2020 meta-analy sis of randomised controlled trials showed that perioperative music interventions reduced anxiety, eased post-operative pain and lowered the need for opioid and sedative medications, in some cases even when played during general anaesthesia. A Malaysian soundtrack Malaysians, perhaps without realising it, often turn to music to regulate emotion, from earphones on a packed LRT ride to late-night drives with a handpicked playlist. The right track can transform not only the mood, but the meaning of a moment. A tedious commute becomes a private concert. A solitary drive turns into a moving meditation. Sometimes, one well-timed song can help you make sense of a day that felt like too much. This relationship with sound isn’t new.

For centuries, cultures around the world have turned to rhythm and tone for bal ance, from the deep chants of monasteries to the ceremonial drums of indigenous communities. Amir noted that repetitive vocal patterns, whether in mantras, hymns or Muslim dzikr, tend to favour lower frequencies that quiet the mind and help focus attention. Even small rituals matter. Humming while you cook. Singing along to an old favourite while stuck in traffic. Letting a familiar melody fill the background while you tidy the house. These everyday acts might not seem like “therapy”, but they can have measurable effects on mood and even heart rate. The right sound for the right moment Not all sounds soothe, of course. A jack hammer outside your window or a neigh bour’s off-key karaoke can undo any Zen progress in seconds. That’s why intentional listening is key. Music therapists often tailor their choices to the person in front of them. For one client, it might be a slow piano piece; for another, the layered textures of gamelan or the hush of a forest stream.

There’s also growing curiosity about “healing frequencies” such as 528 Hz or binaural beats, where slightly different tones are played in each ear to create a per ceptual illusion that may shift brain states. Some studies suggest subtle benefits, but the evidence remains mixed. “With ongoing research, what began as ‘sound therapy’ now intersects with cognitive neuroscience, music psychology, sound cognition and medical ethnomusi cology,” Amir said pragmatically. “Feeling” is the operative word. Sound works not because it’s universally magical, but because it’s deeply personal. The same track that lifts one person can ir ritate another. A gentle rainfall recording may soothe one listener into sleep, while another prefers the steady hum of an air conditioner. There’s no one-size-fits-all prescription, only a process of discovery. “The late Dr Masaru Emoto, author of The Hidden Messages in Water , claimed that soothing, harmonic sounds played over water caused beautiful crystals to form when frozen, while disharmonic sounds created distorted crystals. Since the human body is 55% to 60% water (75% in infants), it’s plausible that sound could affect us similarly. I was fortunate to accompany Emoto on his lecture tour of Southeast Asia about 15 years ago,” he added. Beyond the therapy room I n a world of traffic jams, notifications and overlapping conversations, taking even a few minutes for intentional listening might be one of the simplest wellness practices available. It doesn’t require expensive equipment or hours of training.

Tibetan singing bowls … research shows these vibrations can reduce anxiety and even physical pain.

It could be a guided sound meditation, a ballad you know by heart or simply your own voice humming in the kitchen. “ Given today’s stresses – traffic jams, unpredictable weather, air pollution, rising costs, political disputes, corruption scandals, accidents and personal struggles – perhaps we should all regularly set aside time for soothing music, songs, chanting or dzikr to benefit from the healing power of sound,” Amir said. Healing through sound isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about discovering what truly steadies you. Used with purpose, sound becomes more than background; it becomes a bridge between body and mind, noise and stillness, dissonance and peace. In the end, the power of sound lies not in its volume or complexity, but in the way it meets you where you are and, if you let it, carries you somewhere calmer. “If you wish to try sound therapy, seek a qualified professional. While face-to-face sessions are ideal, online access to global practitioners makes it easier than ever,” he advised.

Sound hacks for everyday calm

1. Start your day with a “sound check” Before reaching for your phone, listen to your surroundings for 60 seconds. Noticing small sounds – birds, rain and even your own breath – helps anchor you in the present moment. 2. Create a “calm playlist” Curate a mix of slow, steady-tempo tracks (60 to 80 beats per minute) to help slow your heart rate. Save it for stressful commutes or winding down before bed. 3. Try a one-song reset When you feel tension building, stop and play one of your favourite tracks, ideally one tied to a positive memory. By the time it ends, your nervous sys

tem will have had a mini break.

4. Let chores be your meditation Do the dishes, sweep the floor or water plants without screens or conversa tions. The rhythmic sounds of these activities can be surprisingly grounding. 5. Hum for health A low, steady hum for a minute or two can stimulate the vagus nerve, which helps regulate stress. It’s subtle enough to do in the car or while making tea. 6. Go natural Swap some screen time for nature sounds – flowing water, rustling leaves or soft rain. Studies show they can help lower stress hormones and improve mood.

Tibetan singing bowls … research shows these vibrations can reduce anxiety and even physical pain.