Numerous research studies have confirmed the profound effect of music on our physiological process, mood, behaviour and cognitive abilities. When we listen to music, the rhythm would entrain our respirations and pulse and affect our blood pressure and muscular responses.

Our moods change with different types of music. Most of us might have experienced a sense of heaviness when listening to a piece of slow, sad music. Sometimes a particular piece might invoke our memory of unhappy past and sad feelings. The impact of music on our mood is particularly explicit when we are watching films. Music also plays an important role in prayers and worships in all great religions because of its ability to liberate the mind from ordinary states. New age music or other with slow rhythm or nature sounds was found to be able to help in meditation and make relaxation more effective.

It is also well known that background music in shops or restaurants can affect our shopping behaviours or the speed of consuming food. Apart from that, proper use of music was shown to be helpful in improving memory, awareness, spatial ability and integration of learning styles.

How does music affect our brain to produce such a profound effect on us? A lot of neurological studies in this area are underway. Some recent Positron Emission Tomography (PET) studies have shown that some types of music activate the neural pathways, which would also be activated in response to other pleasurable activities. Listening to a certain type of music might be a pleasurable activity and stimulate our brain in a way similar to those associated with euphoria and reward.

Because of its transformational power, music is also used in psychotherapy. Music therapy is the use of music to induce relaxation, enhance mental functioning, promote healing and create an overall sense of well-being. In the next issue, we would discuss music therapy and its applications in depth. One can find a lot of wisdoms in music.

One such wisdom for police officers is that music can be a natural mood enhancer. Police work is known to be stressful and taxing. Using music to relieve tension is a simple way to balance our mental well-being.

Seek advice and help from the Psychological Services Group (PSG) : 2866-6206 (5th floor, 111 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay). PEN:psg-gr@police.gov.hk (All cases will be kept in strict confidence.)

Balances & Wisdom Seminars

PSG will conduct its third seminar this month under the theme of "Balances & Wisdom" Details are as follows:

Wisdom of Effective Coping (3/2004)

Speakers :
Professor Dominic Lee, Department of Psychiatry, CUHK
Ms Frances YW Law, Project Director,
HKJC Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, University of Hong Kong

Content : Effective Coping will be analysed from following perspectives:

* Beating depression in contemporary Hong Kong,

* Sharing experience with clients who have successfully coped with highly stressful environments,

* Developing internal resources for self to stay mentally fit, and

* Innovative ways tailor-made for Police officers to cope with work demands

Date : December 11 (Saturday) from 10 am to 12 noon

Venue : Auditorium, 8/F, Arsenal House, PHQ

Medium : The seminar will be conducted in Cantonese. Simultaneous interpretation service will be available pending confirmation

Enrolment :Please call Mr. Poon at 2866-1992 during office hours or contact PSG by PEN at psg-gr@police.gov.hk