Sound Healing in the
Workplace.

by
Steven
Halpern

About 25 years ago, I walked into a local printing shop at about 8:30 AM to pick up the flyers I had ordered.

Just as I was giving my name to the salesperson, a song came over the radio that caused her to suddenly ignore me and look in the general direction of the speaker. Not only that: I noticed that three other workers had stopped what they were doing and were spacing out, digging the music.

I've never forgotten that moment -- and what it taught me about the power of music to decrease concentration and productivity. (The song, by the way, was Rock Me Baby by the Steven Miller Band.)

I shared that anecdote last week at the workshop I presented at the annual American Worksite Health Promotion conference. As it turns out, unbeknownst to me -- and perhaps unbeknownst to you -- worker inefficiency is a major concern at companies throughout the country.

With all the coverage recently about the positive uses of music, it was refreshing to discover that the dysfunctional effects of sound, music and noise are finally receiving a great deal of attention.

The Zen of Measurement and Testing

One of the hottest topics at the conference focused on developing accurate means of measuring efficiency. Management and business owners of companies from 10 to 1,000 (and even 50,000) employees all shared the same concerns. One speaker put it succinctly: "Q. How many people do you have working for you? A. About half!"

If you, like me, are an entrepreneur or work on your own, you know that if you don't do the work, it doesn't get done. So it may never have occurred to you that other people don't think that way. Unfortunately, many do, especially if they get paid by the hour rather than by their efficiency and productivity.

Another major concern of the conference involved health promotion rather than disease prevention. Alternative, complementary and integrative health practices are being used successfully in many companies. Many of these involve reducing stress. As a long-time reader of my column, you know that one of the most effective and enjoyable ways to accomplish this is with music. You also know that only certain music fills the bill.

Once again, how to measure whether something was really working to reduce stress? It was refreshing to meet an entirely new (to me) group of colleagues who value truth over hype and wishful thinking.

A third major highlight was delivered by their keynote speaker, T. George Harris. The former editor of Psychology Today, he spoke on bringing spirit back into the workplace. Dennis Jaffe has also written and spoken about spirituality at work helping the workplace to become more "human." Suffice it to say that not everyone in the audience was thrilled about even bringing this matter up for discussion.

According to Jaffe, "spirit" is not to be confused with organized religion, or Bible study during lunch. Rather, "spirit" represents a connection to something deep and important, contacting an inner resource that contains energy and intelligence and can help a person or community stay on course.

I heard that some companies are actually providing tape libraries of relaxing and spiritually uplifting music and books, much as they are providing fitness equipment and exercise programs. Perhaps in the near future, instead of a coffee break, more companies will promote a relaxation/centering break.

In the meantime, keep your own library freshly stocked with the music that keeps you in tune and on course, whether you work by yourself or with others.

Steven Halpern has earned a reputation as one of the most influential New Age recording artists and is an outspoken advocate for sound healing. He invites you to check out his latest releases, tour schedule and catalog, free of charge, at (800) 909-0707 or at his website, www.steven halpern.com.

For previous columns, see The Monthly Aspectarian at www.lightworks.com.