Certainly, we know that music can reduce stress levels, aid
relaxation, and influence our mood. Our heart beat, for example,
will reduce in speed if we are listening to music with a slow, stately
beat. Repetitive music can help induce a state of trance. And the
soothing undulation of a lullaby has for generations sent us to sleep
as infants!
Georgi Lozanov suggests that different kinds of music affect
us differently. Classical and romantic music is an ideal accompani-
ment to taking in new information, while baroque is better for pro-
cessing or reviewing information. Many people find that music
inspires them to be more creative.
A growing number of people assert that they remember things
better to music, but I have not yet seen any conclusive evidence and
prefer to remain open-mindedly agnostic about it. Common sense
would suggest that, in some situations, music will be competing for the
learner’s attention, while in others it may helpfully complement it. It
would also seem to be the case that different personalities respond dif-
ferently to music.What do you think? How do you like to use music in your life? Do you use it in your learning?
If so, what kinds of activities are particularly enhanced by the addition of music?Sleep is another way of feeding our mind. What is most impor-
tant about sleep is that our brain needs more of it than we cur-
rently tend to have. Although individual needs differ, and
generally as we get older we need less sleep, most of us function
best on about seven and a half hours. There are well-known excep-
tions, of course, like Margaret Thatcher, who apparently only
needed a few hours.
However, for most people, if we don’t get enough sleep, then,
not surprisingly, our brain functions at well below its capacity. That
is why sleep deprivation is an effective way of breaking down peo-
ple’s resistance.
Sir Michael Bichard, Permanent Secretary at the Department
for Education and Employment in the UK, was categorical in his
thinking about this: “I know I am much more effective when I am
fresher and fitter.” And yet, in some circles, it is almost a badge of26 Power Up Your Mind