A new study has discovered that listening to your favorite music can increase your blood circulation and give you the same feel-good factor as going to the gym. Good news for gym-a-phobes like me.

The results of research by Dr Mike Miller, a cardiologist at the University of Maryland Medical Centre, also revealed that nitric oxide – a chemical endorphine related to feelings of happiness – was released when the enjoyable music was played.

Music and memories are for me intertwined from my earliest years, so this does not surprise me. Sitting in front of a roaring fire, as a small child, while visiting my Grandmother and listening to the old fashioned huge bakelite wireless - lit up like something out of Star-trek. No pop music then. She would delight in getting the best “signal” which, even though she lived near the Lancashire coast, was from Radio Eireann. The music hall rendition of “The Laughing Policeman” (Charles Jolly) or the Lancashire born Kathleen Ferrier singing “Blow the Wind Southerly” or “Ma Bonny Lad” were the musical mix of the day. I still remember Gran with tears of laughter streaming down her face as the words of the Laughing Policeman resounded around her small living room. Little did she know they were endorphins at work.

The music that works for me varies from mood to age: currently I love the “Armed Man” mass for peace by Karl Jenkins. I defy you to listen to track 12, the Benedictus which lasts for 7.36 minutes, and not be moved. It was given to me on a CD by a good friend several years ago. She often recommends authors or sends emails with a verse or two of new poets to try. I have known her since we were 11year olds and at the same Convent Grammar School, with our uniforms, hats and gloves and indoor and outdoor shoe regime. She is still a believer. I am truly lapsed in religious terms but I still get spiritual uplift from music such as this or Gregorian Chant. Which in my book is better than sleeping tablets and truly frees the mind.

When I was a single 20 something year old and traveling as a free spirit in Australia I discovered the delights and uplift of Opera when invited to listen to a recording called “Opernchore” (Deutsche Gramaphon) with choral highlights from Wagner/ Weber/ Mascagni/ Verdi and others. I had not at that time thought would like Opera. Bob Dylan, Judy Collins, Leonard Cohen and Neil Diamond were the sounds I followed. The assault on my senses, while sitting round a pool, drinking Pernod and overlooking the Great Barrier Reef was life changing. Whenever I hear Nabucco, Aida or Tannhauser I am transported back to this vivid moment of my youth. I can play my old LP at full volume while doing housework or ironing and it still works for me. If only I could find it on CD as the LP is rather scratched!

While traveling in Europe in the late 60's I managed to arrive in Athens at the time of the “Night of the Generals” and the army coup. The Greek intellectuals I was staying with had to cover their books in plain wrappers because so many greats in Literature had been banned. I still remember dining in the Plaka steps area with Bouzouki music playing and retsina wine flowing, returning to the house in Athens to find my hosts had “disappeared”. I never saw them again, although the secret police came looking for them. I was fortunate to have a British passport and was ignored. So whenever I hear Nana Mascouri or Demis Roussos playing I am again transported to another time and place with vivid recall. “When the White Rose Blooms Again” is eternally evocative of Athens. While Demis Roussos singing “Forever & Ever” or “Goodbye My Love, Goodbye” will forever say 70s Kaftans!

Meanwhile Richard Harris & Leonard Cohen bring back the times when music meant listening to the words and contemplating life - very 60s-70s... With “MacArthur Park” lasting 7.20 minutes it sure makes its mark. As does “There are Too Many Saviours on my Cross” his view of The Troubles in Ireland. I recall sitting cross legged on the floor with like-minded souls listening and discussing. Meanwhile, Leonard Cohen may be seen by many to be music to cut your wrists by, but for me the mesmeric drone and the beauty of the words suited the gentle awakening of youthful awareness to what we today call “issues”.

I was fortunate to be in Sydney when the Opera House was first built and was involved in producing an event for a Charity soon after the opening. I then went to see my first Opera: Aida and later Madam Butterfly in the (very small) Opera Hall. These musical events are filed for both the value of the music and the memories. I still have a recording of Madam Butterfly with Victoria de Los Angeles and Jussis Bjorling, distributed by E.M.I. (Australia) which I still play 35 years on.

My other love in music is Nina Simone - seen as one of the most accomplished musicians. Her music is without frills, but highly experimental in nature. My favourite is “To Love Somebody” ...the more you hear it the more you want to hear it. She truly seems to mix the best of Jazz, R&B, Folk and even progressive Rock. What a woman. For even more creative music you should try Keith Jarrett, I have a recording of his Koln Concert in 1975 and it is just as amazing today. Not music to have in the backgound!

A recent visit to the Charlotte Street Blues Club in Charlotte Street, North Soho in London reminded me how much I still love R&B... If you get a chance, try it out. Great atmosphere and people.

Being eclectic in my tastes I also enjoy John Lennon, Gregorian Chants and Celtic music. On a visit to Dublin a few years back I was entranced by Celtic Songs of the Sea and such tracks as “The Water is Wide” by Tommy Fleming. I have the CD and it can make me feel as if I have ancestors in my head enjoying it with me.

Perhaps the best thing about new technology is that you can be working on your computer and have your I-tunes playing at the same time. Or if you really love exercise you can give yourself double dose endorphins with your I-pod plugged in while you work out. So, what are you waiting for? Go find yourself some great music and turn it up as loud as you dare. If anyone complains whilst you listen to music at work or at home, you can simply explain: I'm listening to music on doctor's orders, for the good of my heart. Dr Miller says so.

By C. Ward