Many people do not need a reason to listen to music, but it turns out that listening to some of your favorite tunes is excellent for your mental health. There is science linking music to an improvement in mood and a decrease in anxiety. Music therapy is growing globally and helps with several mental disorders and even schizophrenia. Certain songs can hold memories in one’s brain and bring back positive or happy feelings from the time one hears that song. Certain music is linked to having a beneficial effect on the brain chemical dopamine, which is what makes you feel pleasure. Listening to soft music in the background can reduce stress and help someone focus. Research suggests that background music, or music that is played while the listener is primarily focused on another activity, can improve performance on cognitive tasks in older adults. One study found that playing more upbeat music led to improvements in processing speed, while both upbeat and downbeat music led to benefits in memory. Trained music therapists have started to use what they call “active listening” as a technique to help struggling patients. The style of music does matter; it should be something that makes your mood feel lighter or something you enjoy. Dancing and singing are also good for relieving physical stress or tension in the body. When you find music that works for you, it can be a drastic improvement in your life. Music is an escape, just like books or movies, and is a wonderful distraction from mental health symptoms like overthinking. Listening to music lowers your blood pressure and heart rate, which is generally good for your long-term health and helps with stress as well.
Listening to music has other benefits, such as finding the words to put to what you are feeling. Sometimes it is hard for people to figure out what is going on inside of them, and music is something most people can relate to with a vast number of different genres and styles. It makes it easier to talk and figure out who you are as a person. Music can support people throughout all stages of life. It is proven that mothers that sing to their newborn babies and infants have a better relationship, and it is central to infants feeling pleasure at the beginning of their life. This attribute continues to grow with us as we get older, and music still holds beneficial capabilities. Music is an entry into another world where you might not feel as alone. It can help people connect through learning instruments or coming together to sing. Music also helps your brain build capacity and connections which helps you stay more alert and aware of your emotions.
Another added benefit is that because music helps relieve stress, it is also helping your immune system. Stress can harm one’s immune system, so while helping your stress by listening to music, you’re benefitting more than just that. Music therapy continues to grow globally as more people are struggling with poor mental health. Music can be an inexpensive alternative to bring relief to some struggling people. Music can relax the mind, energize the body, and even help people better manage pain. One of the most surprising psychological benefits of music is that it might be a helpful weight-loss tool. If you are trying to lose weight, listening to mellow music and dimming the lights might help you reach your goals. Similarly, listening to mellow music is also helpful if you have trouble falling asleep. The music helps relax the body right into a deep slumber. The benefits of music and your mood go on and on. If you feel you have been in a funk lately, you might just need to listen to one of your favorite old tunes and take a minute to relax.
