Abstract
The chapter relates psychophysiological stress theory to music. A brief description of Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome is followed by a discussion of the interplay between genes and environment and an introduction of the concept epigenetics. Musical experiences are then related to these theoretical models. The concepts energy mobilisation and regeneration/anabolism are introduced as fundamental factors in the understanding of music in health promotion. The health promoting effects we might get from regular, repeated musical experiences in everyday life could arise in three ways: (1) inhibition of intensity and frequency of arousal reactions—music as a filter against excessive energy mobilisation, (2) strengthening of anabolism/regeneration improving resilience in general and (3) improved coping patterns—new ways of thinking may lead to positive expectations of successful coping.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Bygren, L. O., Weissglas, G., Wikström, B. M., Konlaan, B. B., Grjibovski, A., Karlsson, A. B., et al. (2009). Cultural participation and health: a randomized controlled trial among medical care staff. Psychosomatic Medicine, 71, 469–473.
Gabrielsson, A. (2011). Strong experiences with music: Music is much more than just music. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Horvitz HR (2003) Worms, life and death (Nobel lecture)—review. ChemBiochem 697–711.
Lumley, M. A., Tojek, T.M., & Macklem, D.J. (2002). Effects of written emotional disclosure among repressive and alexithymic people. In S. J. Lepore & J. M. Smyth (Eds.), The writing cure: How expressive writing promotes health and emotional well-being. Washington DC: American Psychological Association.
Pennebaker, J. (1997). Writing about emotional experiences as a therapeutic process. Psychological Science, 8, 162–166.
Romanowska, J., Larsson, G., Eriksson, M., Wikström, B.-M., Westerlund, H., & Theorell, T. (2011). Health effects on leaders and co-workers of an art-based leadership development program. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 80, 78–87.
Selye, H. (1956). The stress of life. New York: McGraw-Hill. ISBN 978-0070562127.
Sjöwall, T. (1991). Psykosomatiska grundbegrepp (Psychosomatic basics). In J. K. Konarski-Svensson & T. Theorell (Eds.), Psykosomatisk läkekonst (Psychosomatic medicine). Stockholm: Natur & Kultur Förlaget.
Szyf, M. (2012). Mind-body interrelationship in DNA methylation. Chemical Immunology and Allergy, 98, 85–99.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2014 The Author(s)
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Theorell, T. (2014). Stress and Music. In: Psychological Health Effects of Musical Experiences. SpringerBriefs in Psychology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-8920-2_2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-8920-2_2
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-017-8919-6
Online ISBN: 978-94-017-8920-2
eBook Packages: Behavioral ScienceBehavioral Science and Psychology (R0)