How listening therapy can help you regulate your nervous system
Imagine a therapy where you just listen to sounds or music that makes you feel calmer, more connected and more in control.
Listening therapy is not just about enjoying music. It is a powerful method, backed by science, that helps your brain and body work better.
In this blog, we will explore how listening therapy can help improve your mental health, based on recent research and real-world examples.
The power of listening therapy
Listening therapy uses certain sounds, music and frequencies to activate your nervous system. But how exactly does it work? The secret is in neuroplasticity, which is our brain's amazing ability to change and adapt.
When you listen to listening therapy, you activate parts of your brain that affect your emotions, behavior and even your body. These changes are not just temporary, but can provide lasting improvements in how you feel and respond to life's challenges [Chatterjee et al., 2021].
An important part of listening therapy is the connection between your brain and the autonomic nervous system. This part of your nervous system regulates important functions such as your heart rate, breathing and digestion.
By listening to certain sounds, we can balance this system, making you feel calmer and better [McCorry, 2007].
Listening therapy and the vagus nerve
One of the most important parts of listening therapy is the vagus nerve.
You may have heard of the vagus nerve as the "highway" between your brain and your body.
This nerve greatly affects how we feel, both mentally and physically, and is directly connected to our hearing. Listening therapies, such as the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), help stimulate the vagus nerve with sound, which provides relaxation and a sense of security [Porges, 2013].
When this nerve is properly stimulated, we feel less anxious, more in control and better able to cope with stress.
You can think of it as a reset button for your body. Stimulating the vagus nerve helps us switch from a "fight or flight" state to a "rest and recovery" state, where our body can heal and our mind feels more relaxed [Dolphin et al., 2022].
Applications of listening therapy
Listening therapy can be very effective for people who suffer from anxiety, trauma, sensory processing problems and even physical pain.
Tools such as the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) are specifically designed to address these problems.
The SSP is more than just music.
It is a carefully designed treatment that uses a patented algorithm. In order to regulate your nervous system and help you feel more balanced and stronger [Porges et al., 2014].
For example, research shows that children with autism who used the SSP saw great improvements in their social skills, listening skills and emotional balance [Squillace et al., 2022].
The SSP is also used in people with trauma to help them be less tense and feel safer and more connected [Rajabalee et al., 2022].
Listening therapy is not just about reducing symptoms; it also helps lay a foundation for long-term mental health.
Why listening therapy is so useful today
Today's world is stressful. Many people face constant pressure, uncertainty and challenges that can unbalance our nervous system.
Listening therapy offers a gentle, non-invasive way to rebalance our system.
It is especially helpful because it does not require you to consciously think about your thoughts or feelings, which can sometimes be difficult. Instead, it works through your body, making you feel better from the inside out [Finn & Fancourt, 2018].
Because it is a safe, accessible and comprehensive approach, listening therapy is attractive to many people.
Whether you use it along with other therapies or alone, it provides an effective way to calm your nervous system. This ultimately makes for a happier and healthier life [Chlan et al., 2018].
Conclusion: tune into your well-being
More than a wellness trend, listening therapy is a science-based way to heal and balance our nervous system.
By consciously working with sounds, you can harness your brain's natural ability to change, calm your mind and improve your overall well-being [Ellis & Thayer, 2010].
Whether you suffer from anxiety, trauma or daily stress, listening therapy can be a powerful tool to help you feel more connected, stronger and calmer.
Sources:
- Chatterjee, D., Hegde, S., & Thaut, M. (2021). Neural plasticity: The substratum of music-based interventions in neurorehabilitation. NeuroRehabilitation.
- McCorry, L. K. (2007). Physiology of the autonomic nervous system. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education.
- Porges, S. W. (2013). The polyvagal theory: Neurophysiological foundations of emotions, attachment, communication, and self-regulation.
- Dolphin, H., Dukelow, T., & Finucane, C. (2022). The complementary role of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation in modulating neuro-cardiovascular and cognitive performance. Frontiers in Neuroscience.
- Porges, S. W., Bazhenova, O. V., Ball, E., & Lewis, G. F. (2014). Social engagement and attachment perspectives on the study of social behavior.
- Squillace, M., Porges, S. W., & Lewis, G. F. (2022). Case study on the effects of the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) for autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
- Rajabalee, Y., Porges, S. W., & Lewis, G. F. (2022). Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) and trauma recovery: A case study. Harvard Review of Psychiatry.
- Finn, S., & Fancourt, D. (2018). The biological impact of listening to music in clinical and nonclinical settings: A systematic review. Progress in Brain Research.
- Chlan, L., Heiderscheit, A., & Skaar, D. J. (2018). Economic evaluation of a patient-directed music intervention for ICU patients. Critical Care Medicine.
- Ellis, R. J., & Thayer, J. F. (2010). Music and autonomic nervous system (dys)function. Music Perception.
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