Music can offer shelter from the stress

A little night music: Lullabies work for adults, too. For a compelling tonic, play 45 minutes of soft music before you climb into bed and you can enjoy all the benefits of lower heart rate and slower respiration as well as some quality sleep. The sedative tones prompt a far more restful night with better, longer slumbers, and less daytime drowsiness.

On the run: Music can improve your workout, your lungs, and your smarts. Listen to music while you cycle or trot and you'll go farther than if you exercised without the soundtrack. And the combo of tunes and treadmill boosts brainpower more than either alone; One study showed that a bout of exercise enhanced verbal fluency more when amped by Vivaldi.

Shelter from the sniffles: There's still no cure for the common cold, but listening to music can make you less susceptible. Just half an hour of iPod time not only lowers the stress hormone cortisol and boosts feel-good endorphins but also fortifies the immune system by raising levels of immunoglobulin A, a prime defense against upper respiratory infection.

Notes to grow on: Studying music enriches children's learning in the long term. Music lessons can affect the brainstem's sensitivity to sound, so kids' language skills improve and verbal memory is enhanced. Playing piano or studying saxophone can even raise a child's IQ.

A major upswing: Though minor keys can sometimes bring you down and major chords are proven vehicles of cheer, your personal taste counts most when it comes to getting a mood boost from music. Listening to the tunes of your choice - be they jazz, classical, or rap - as you study, rest, do chores, or jog can reliably sweeten temperament and increase feelings of optimism, calm, and joy.