Appropriately selected music can have a calming or sedating effect. A recent study has found that if you are anxious about a medical procedure, listening to soft, melodic music (but not hard rock or rap) may help you be less anxious. The calming effects of music might also help you reduce the amount of sedation you need. Consider how you might adapt this effect for other situations in your life when you need to remain calm and focused. For more details to research for yourself and/or to discuss with your physician, check out the article, “Music Therapy for Reduced Anxiety, Use of Sedatives” in the June, 2013, issue of Natural Standard’s Integrative Medicine Newsletter.