Effect of Persian classic poetry on the level of stress hormone in retired academicians

Abstract

Retired academicians undergo serious periods of stress and heath vulnerability in the sudden experience of loss, after retirement. Poetry writing is applied for its therapeutic effects, while the rhythm of relaxing music has proved effects on the emotional state. This study investigates the impact of classical Persian poetry, for the domain of its associative meaning and the power of its exhilarating rhythm on the level stress hormone, in retired Persian male academician. For this purpose, 300 lines from the sonnets of Hafez were randomly selected. A sample of 26 men, aged 54 (±3) years, was randomly selected and heared for 5 days a week, at 8 pm, for 8 weeks.The findings showed that while retired men face the risk of suffering stress and depression, listening to classical poetry can be considered as an alternative means to the medical methods. It also suggests that may be listening to the classical poetry of any language for reducing stress in the speakers of that language would be beneficial.