Monday, March 16, 2015

Soothing a Savage Breast

14,856,187... 19,346,390... 8,658,191... 4,163,908... 17,946,107... 1,946,106... 18,733,207... 1,832,528... 13,318,997... 1,196,995... 6,296,938... 2,127,197... 4,466,861...


Any idea what these numbers represent? 

Are they statistics or demographics of some sort?


I think you'll be surprised to learn what they're about.

But before I let you in on this, I'd like to share some statistics...
  1. In a survey carried out between 2005–2010 it was found that about 4% of the adult population in the United States took prescription sleep aids
  2. A market research firm has reported a tripling in sleep aid prescriptions from 1998 to 2006 for young adults aged 18–24 
  3. More women than men use sleep aids (5.0% and 3.1% respectively)
Two of the references for these statistics come from respected sources: The LA Times and a group of psychiatric researchers. Both attribute the economic slowdown as the culprit of stress and sleep disorders. So it would be pretty safe to say that people of all ages are suffering and need to find a way to calm down and breathe; to find a way to sleep and be peaceful while they're awake; to have an aid to help them cope.

Apparently there is, yet, I don't see any statistics on this coping mechanism even though the numbers are staggering. Conduct a basic search and you will find tons of statistics on prescriptions. Don't forget to keep reading your research until the very end - that's when it reveals the warnings, contraindications and horror stories of side effects.

A Groovy Kinda Music

The values mentioned above are real time numbers –  people who listen to a certain type of music on You Tube, which in turn, represents the number of people who are trying to remain calm and relieve themselves of stress, as well as to be able to fall sleep.

Search under the headings: Calming Music, Calming Music for Stress, Meditative Music, Music to Relieve Stress, etc. If you search under: Calm, Meditation, Stress, Yoga, New Age and several other key words, hundreds of play lists come up.

What this tells us is that we are living in very challenging times. It tells us that many are seeking an alternative way to decompress; to be able to cope, and function, at the same time. Whether due to economics, family or personal relationships, this generation needs some serious help to restore inner peace.

Over a million hits is impressive, but many of these tranquil play lists have been host to  multiples of millions - six, thirteen, eighteen million, and more. Hit after hit from those seeking healthier, more spiritually based choices to find tranquility, rather than from prescriptive meds.

This good news, that millions are finding alternatives to prescription drugs to calm themselves, doesn't seem to appear in mainstream statistics, as important and relevant as they are. You will find many articles on the benefits, but nothing on the hard numbers. 

Did you know that meditating, doing yoga and listening to calming music can lower your blood pressure and heart rate by up to 10 points, and often more? Soothing music can aid in restoring your health - you would think that the statisticians and medical researchers would want to know more about this.

We've been sold on organic, grassroots and back to basics for our produce, clothing and building materials. Why not music as well?

Thank You, Mr. Congreve


"Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast," is a line written by William Congreve in 1697, from his play, "The Mourning Bride." It's doubtful that Congreve had a crystal ball and looked into the chaotic future, however, he was on the right track more than three hundred years ago. 

If it comes down to a choice between drugs and music, let's opt for the organic, grassroots of meditative, calming notes that have no side effects and only benefits of the best kind. The melodic strains of soothing music can bring you to a Edenesque place that no drug or artificial method can. Mindful meditation while listening to a tranquil playlist is a delightful drug of the very best kind. Namaste.