Healing through harmony

Each year, World Music Day is celebrated on June 21, a global tribute to the universal language that connects hearts and transcends borders — music. What began in France in 1982 as Fête de la Musique has now grown into an international movement promoting free, inclusive music events across the world.

The theme for 2025, “Healing Through Harmony”, beautifully captures the transformative power of music in today’s fast-paced, stress-laden world. Beyond entertainment, music is now widely recognised as a tool for mental, physical, and emotional healing.

Singer, composer, and lyricist Raghav Kapoor, who is an alumnus of Apeejay Institute of Management & Engineering Technical Campus (AIMETC), Jalandhar, says, “Music therapy has now become a recognised field, incorporated in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, and counselling practices. It helps people struggling with PTSD, autism, dementia, and depression by activating areas of the brain that deal with emotion, memory, and motor skills. As we celebrate World Music Day 2025, let us not only enjoy the rhythm and melody but also embrace the healing essence of music. Whether through a soft lullaby, a resonating chant, or the whisper of waves, music remains a timeless balm, reminding us that healing begins with harmony.”

Here are 10 types of music and sounds known for their healing properties:

1. White Noise

A consistent, steady sound that masks other noises, white noise is especially helpful in promoting better sleep and reducing distractions. It’s often used in therapy for insomnia, ADHD, and anxiety.

2. Classical Music

Often called the “Mozart Effect,” listening to classical compositions has been linked to improved focus, reduced stress, and enhanced memory. It’s also known to regulate heart rate and blood pressure.

3. Nature Sounds

Sounds like ocean waves, rustling leaves, and birdsong evoke a sense of calm and connection to nature. These are frequently used in mindfulness practices and meditation to reduce cortisol levels.

4. Binaural Beats

Binaural beats use slightly different frequencies in each ear to stimulate specific brainwave states. They are known to aid in deep relaxation, meditation, focus, and even creative thinking.

5. Gregorian Chants

These ancient monastic chants are not only spiritually uplifting but also scientifically found to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and induce a meditative state.

6. Ambient Music

Minimalist and atmospheric, ambient music helps create a serene soundscape, perfect for yoga, meditation, or stress relief. It is particularly useful for emotional regulation and inner calm.

7. Drumming Circles

Rhythmic drumming, especially in group settings, can release emotional blockages, improve coordination, and create a sense of community. It’s also used in trauma healing and expressive therapy.

8. Solfeggio Frequencies

These are specific tones believed to resonate with the body’s energy centres (chakras). Each frequency is associated with a particular healing effect — from DNA repair to emotional release.

9. Jazz & Blues

The emotional depth in jazz and blues helps listeners process grief, sorrow, and nostalgia, offering a therapeutic outlet. It’s often used in music therapy for emotional healing.

10. Indian Classical Ragas

In Indian tradition, each raag is linked with a particular emotion, time of day, or season. Raags like yaman, bhairavi, and todi are known to bring about balance and emotional well-being.