Sister to Sister

While previous studies show that listening to soothing music can reduce your blood pressure, a 2008 study at the University of Maryland Medical Center found that music also improves blood flow. Participants were asked to listen to music that made them feel good and music that made them anxious. With the former, participants brachial artery (in the forearm) flow improved by 26 percent, while with the latter, it decreased by 6 percent. Researchers suspect this is due to endorphins, the body’s natural pain reliever, being released.