Music is an integral part of many people’s lives. It can be used for various purposes, from providing background noise to lifting your mood when you are feeling down.
More and more research has been done on the effects of music on our mental health, with some studies even suggesting that it can help us live longer. This blog post will discuss how music affects our mental health, the benefits of listening to different types of music, and how we can use it as a tool for self-care. Let’s jump to the list.
Elevates the Mood
One of the most well-known benefits of listening to music is that it can elevate our mood. This is because when we listen to music, our brains release dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin. These neurotransmitters are all responsible for making us feel good, so it’s no wonder that music has been used as a form of therapy since the beginning of time.
Therefore, if you are feeling down or dealing with negative emotions, try listening to some of your favorite songs. As highlighted by the team behind musicnotes.com, there are different types of sheet music arrangements that you can use to elicit different moods. For example, if you are feeling angry or irritable, try listening to a collection of your favorite songs that is played on the piano with a strong beat. If you’re overwhelmed by depression and sadness, listen to one that’s more mellow or soothing to relax.
Reduces Stress and Anxiety
It’s no secret that stress and anxiety can wreak havoc on our mental health. In fact, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States. Fortunately, one way that we can help reduce our stress levels is by listening to music. A study published in the journal Brain and Cognition found that their anxiety levels decreased when participants listened to music. The researchers even went as far as to say that “listening to music may be an effective way of reducing stress in a clinical setting.”
Similarly, a study published in PLoS One found that students who listened to calming music before taking exams had lower stress levels during the testing period. In contrast, students who did not listen to music before their exams had higher stress and anxiety levels throughout the exam process. So, if you are stressed about anything, music is the answer
Soothes and Relaxes
Aside from reducing stress and anxiety, you can also use music to soothe and relax your mind. When we listen to calming music, it sends signals to our brains that tell us to relax. A study published in the journal Brain Research found that participants who listened to classical music while resting had lower heart rates and decreased cortisol levels (a stress hormone).
In addition, research has shown that listening to calming music can help us fall asleep more quickly and sleep more soundly. This is because when we listen to calm music before bed, it relaxes our minds and helps us to clear our thoughts. It can also allow us to become more easily distracted by extraneous thoughts that might otherwise keep us up at night.
Eases Symptoms of Depression
When we experience a traumatic event in our life or feel overwhelmed by emotions such as sadness and emptiness, it can trigger clinical depression. Depression is a serious mental illness that can greatly impact our quality of life, relationships, and overall well-being. Luckily, there are ways in which we can help treat it naturally with music therapy.
Research has shown that listening to calming music can affect how certain chemicals transmit messages between neurons by releasing endorphins (a natural pain reliever). As a result, this can help to ease the symptoms of depression. In research, most participants suffering from depression found relief from symptoms after listening to classical music.
Improves Focus and Memory
In addition to reducing stress, anxiety, and depression, listening to music can also improve our focus and memory. It is one of the science-backed solutions to boost concentration and mental focus. A study published in the journal Applied Cognitive Psychology found that students who listened to instrumental music while they were studying had better test scores than those who didn’t listen to music. The students who listened to music scored an average of eight percent higher on their tests.
Similarly, a study published in the journal Psychological Science found that participants who listened to music while completing a task had better memory recall for the task later on. This is because when we listen to music, it helps us to focus more intensely on the task at hand. Plus, it also distracts us from any other outside distractions that might be occurring.
Heals the Soul
Are you heartbroken? Music can help heal your heart when you’re going through a difficult time, such as the end of a relationship. This is because when we listen to music that reminds us of “the one,” it releases dopamine into our brains and gives off similar vibes as love does. As a result, it can help us to feel better emotionally and make the grieving process easier.
In addition, listening to soulful music can also connect us with our spiritual side. This is because when we listen to certain types of music that have deep meaning for us, it allows us to access parts of our subconscious mind that we might not normally reach. As a result, this can help us become more spiritually connected and open up new perspectives on life.
Improves Mental Exercise
Just like our physical muscles, our brains also need exercise to stay healthy. This is because when we do mental exercises such as puzzles and Sudoku, it helps to keep our brains active and functioning properly.
Similarly, listening to music can also be a form of mental exercise for us. This is because when we listen to certain types of music, it forces us to focus on the notes and sounds that we’re hearing. Plus, for a song to have meaning for us, our brain has to interpret the lyrics. In doing so, our minds are turned into mental gymnasts as they try to process all of this information at once.
Music can have a huge impact on our mental health and overall well-being. So the next time you’re feeling stressed, anxious, depressed, heartbroken, or spiritually unconnected, put your favorite song on and let it help heal your soul. Make sure you choose the best music for your needs and always be mindful of the lyrics.
