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SALT LAKE CITY, UT (GOOD THINGS UTAH)- We are joined on air today by Jen Soriano. Soriano is the author of Nervous: Essays on Heritage and Healing, which was recognized by Time, Glamour, The Atlantic, Poets & Writers, and other outlets as a notable book of 2023. She received a BA in History and Science from Harvard and an MFA in fiction and nonfiction from the Rainier Writing Workshop. Soriano shares the details about her book with Deena.
- What is Nervous about?
- Nervous is a family story about how we can carry generations of stress in our bodies, but how we can also heal from this stress in community through activities that regulate our nervous systems.
- Why is music the key to managing our stress?
- Music connects what’s inside us to something beyond ourselves – to our emotions, to other people, to culture and community.
- New research explains why music makes us feel good:
- Music activates reward centers in our brain, the parts of our brain that make us feel happy. At the same time, music decreases blood flow to parts of our brain associated with stress and depression.
- Music can also activate the cerebellum which is part of the brain associated with movement, which may be part of why hearing music makes us want to dance.
- Easy ways to use music to reduce stress daily:
- Take 5-minute music breaks 2-3 times a day. Step away from sitting at your desk.
- While driving, instead of listening to podcasts, the news, or taking phone calls, which may not always be relaxing, listen to music to boost your mood while you drive.
- Listen to calming music on headphones as part of your nighttime routine, to help you wind down from your day and get a good night’s sleep.
To learn more, visit JenSoriano.net.
Nervous: Essays on Heritage and Healing, can be purchased at Baldwin and Company via this link.
