Any list of ways to stay healthy will probably include a balanced diet and regular exercise. But did you know you can also add music to the list? We are all familiar with the effects of music on our moods. Studies have found that music stimulates certain areas of the brain and that it triggers pleasure. If music can enchant us, can it help our health as well? Is there any evidence?
任何養生清單大概都會包含均衡的飲食和規律的運動。不過，你知道你還可以加入聽音樂這個方法嗎？我們都很熟悉音樂對我們的心情所帶來的影響。研究也發現音樂會刺激大腦特定的區域，帶來愉悅感。如果音樂可以使我們陶醉其中，那麼它是否也有助於我們的健康呢？有任何證據可以證明嗎？
A German study split participants into four groups. The first, second, and third groups listened to music by Mozart, Johann Strauss Jr., and the Swedish pop band ABBA, respectively. The fourth group sat or lay down in silence. Everyone had their blood pressure and heart rate measured before and afterwards. The classical music of Mozart and Strauss lowered the measurements because it had a calming effect on the heart and circulation. The ABBA songs, however, made little difference. In the "silent" group, the calming effect was less than that on the classical music listeners.
德國有一項研究將受試者分為四組。第一、二、三組分別聆聽莫札特、史特勞斯，以及瑞典流行樂團阿巴合唱團的音樂。第四組則靜靜地坐著或躺著。每個人都在受測前後，測量了血壓和心律。莫札特和史特勞斯的古典樂能降低這些數值，因為古典樂有穩定心律和血液循環的鎮靜效果。阿巴合唱團的歌則沒有太大的變化。在完全沒有聽音樂的組別裡，鎮靜的效果少於聽古典樂的受試者。
Other researchers have found similar helpful effects of music. Most researchers have concluded that, in order for music to benefit blood pressure, it should have no words, few changes in volume or rhythm, and repeated gentle harmonies. One study by Oxford University suggested that musical compositions matching the rhythms of the body could be used to control heart rate and that Mozart's music seemed to be especially good at this.
其他的研究者也發現有類似的音樂良效。大多數研究人員的結論是，能用來穩定血壓的音樂應該要是沒有歌詞、音量和節奏沒有太大的變化，以及要反覆出現輕柔的和聲。牛津大學的一項研究顯示，與身體節奏相吻合的樂曲可用於控制心律，而莫札特的音樂在這方面似乎特別有效。
Using music in medical treatment is becoming more common. It can help ease pain in some patients and reduce the amount of anesthesia needed during operations. It can also relieve stress and anxiety in children waiting for or undergoing medical procedures. There is even some evidence that listening to music can boost the body's immune system, though we won't know for sure until more research is done.
音樂用於醫療變得越來越常見。音樂有助於減輕某些病人的疼痛，且能減少手術時所需要的麻醉劑量。音樂也可以用來舒緩兒童在候診或進行療程時的壓力和焦慮。甚至有些研究證實聽音樂可以增強免疫系統，雖然這一點要等到更多的研究證實後才能確定。
There have been numerous reports of other good effects of classical music. Officials in Washington State claim that immigrants learn English more quickly when they listen to Mozart. In Canada, it seems that string quartets performing Mozart's music in city squares have a calming effect on passers-by. People said they felt less stressed because they heard the music. Even animals seem to respond to music. In France, cows give more milk when Mozart is played to them.
還有許多研究報告顯示古典音樂有著其他的良效。華盛頓州的官員聲稱，新進移民在學習英語時，聽莫札特的音樂會使學習加快。四重奏樂團在加拿大市政廣場演奏莫札特的音樂似乎能對行人有鎮靜效果。民眾表示他們因為聽到了音樂而感到比較紓壓。甚至連動物似乎都能對音樂有所反應。在法國，乳牛聽了莫札特的音樂後，會產出更多的牛乳。
The precise health benefits of music are not yet proven beyond doubt, but using music more often in medical treatment might improve our general health and happiness. Music therapy is safe, cheap, and convenient. Listening to music can relieve stress and anxiety, decrease pain, and protect us against disease. It is one of the best lifestyle choices we can make.
音樂對於健康的確切效益尚未被完全證實，但是更常將音樂用於醫療方面，可能可以提升我們的整體健康和快樂。音樂療法安全、平價、又方便。聽音樂可以紓壓、解憂、鎮痛，並且對抗疾病。它是我們可以選擇的生活方式中最好的其中一項。
