The Power of Music for Work-Life Wellness

Dr. Laura invites Jennifer Buchanan, author of “Wellness, Wellplayed”, back to the show to discuss wellness through music. Jennifer discusses how music plays a key role in impacting our mood, memory, and productivity, and she shares stories about witnessing the power of music therapy in action.Music has an incredible impact on our moods: Jennifer talks about how it can motivate us out of a slump and increase our serotonin levels. She details the positive effects of music on every stage of our lives. One of the physical areas in which music therapy has a demonstrable impact is in neuro rehab. Jennifer explains how challenges in fine or gross motor movement after a brain injury can be positively influenced by elements of music. “So music has this incredible capacity to act like a drug on our system and … the hormones and neurotransmitters that affect us.  You hear about the words dopamine, for example, and that feel-good oxytocin, which is that social bonding hormone that can be released in our system, and serotonin, which is the one you don't want to get too low because you start feeling low and there's this nice window of where serotonin needs to reside. And what we have found through the research and evidence is that music has this incredible capacity to be able to change those hormone levels in our system, especially when we use [music] regularly.” - Jennifer BuchananAbout Jennifer Buchanan:Jennifer Buchanan is an award-winning author and Music Therapist, instrumental in the implementation of hundreds of music therapy programs throughout Canada since 1991.  Her company JB Music Therapy has thrice been nominated for the Community Impact Award by her local Chamber of Commerce. She is the author of several books including Wellness, Wellplayed: The Power of A Playlist and is a regularly invited guest to speak at industry conferences that aim to strengthen and inspire people working in healthcare, education, and the public sector including law enforcement.  As a subject matter expert, Jennifer is a trusted source for many television media outlets across North America and has been featured in publications such as The Guardian and The Huffington Post.As a board member and service provider with the National Music Centre, Jennifer champions music for health and wellness throughout Canada and beyond.Resources:Jennifer Buchanan websiteJB Music Therapy website JB Music Therapy on FacebookJB Music Therapy on Twitter JB Music Therapy on InstagramJennifer Buchanan on LinkedInJennifer Buchanan on FacebookJennifer Buchanan on Instagram“Wellness, Wellplayed: The Power of a Playlist” by Jennifer Buchanan “Wellness, Wellplayed Workbook” by Jennifer Buchanan “Tune In: A Music Therapy Approach to Life” by Jennifer Buchanan “Wellness Incorporated” by Jennifer BuchananOngoing History of New Music podcast by Alan Cross“This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession” by Dani