The audible past is a term historians use to describe the soundscapes associated with past events. Your audible past is the soundtrack of your life. We tend to think about the past visually, but imagery, sound, and other sensory memories can intersect.

As far back as 2000 BCE, the Assyrians recorded using music to avoid the influence of evil spirits (Conrad, 2010). Today, what was once perceived as evil spirits might be called a mental illness by the medically minded. Whether a person is influenced by evil spirits or has a mental illness, the idea that music can enhance or soothe the passions of the mind has historical precedence.

What is the connection between stress and music? In his book, Strong Experiences with Music: Music is much more than just music, Gabrielson (2011) suggested that music impacts all psychological experiences. During psychological stress, it is possible to develop an appreciation for music that was not previously compelling (Gabrielson, 2011). An acute response to music can set into motion psychophysiological changes. And it can be a powerful tool to remedy distress.

Music is a powerful tool for maintaining wellness. In an ideal world, life would be grand. We would always feel our best, look our best, and do our best. But the world is not perfect, and neither are we. We get sick, we get sloppy, and we get lazy. Nothing impacts mood or health more than stress. Because we live in an imperfect world, bad days will happen.