Many of us intuitively understand how music affects our energy and mood. For this reason, we’ll play “Eye of the Tiger” while working out hard or play sad love songs after a breakup. You might have Spotify playlists created for special events or like listening to your favorite music regularly. In either case, the method you listen to music can benefit your well-being in general. Let’s explore the benefits of music for your brain and body.
Benefits of music on the brain
In particular, as we age, keeping the brain active by exercising it in several ways can maintain brain function. One of the things that can improve brain health is by listening to music.
Let’s examine how music influences the brain and supports maintaining its beauty and wellness.
1. It stimulates most of the areas of your brain
Almost every area and network of your brain is activated by music. Additionally, it improves the connections between various brain regions.
It includes the areas responsible for:
- Emotions
- Memory
- Learning
- Well-being
- Focus and concentration
- Quality of life
- Movement
2. It helps your brain age gracefully
Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia can be partially treated using music. Music therapy is frequently helpful for older people with certain illnesses. People with dementia can benefit from music by having better brain abilities and regaining lost memories.
Patients with Alzheimer’s disease may become agitated, experience anxiety, or have hallucinations. The study discovered that music could aid in communication and relieve these symptoms.
3. It boosts your creativity
One of our best qualities as humans is our creative ability. It not only enables us to produce art but also aids in problem-solving and the development of superior products and services. It makes it a core ability in practically any role. One study found that listening to upbeat music, such as thrilling or inspiring classical music, can boost creativity.
4. It helps regulate your mood
The amount of the stress hormone cortisol decreases as you listen to music. Dopamine, the hormone associated with rewards, is increased, which can assist in improving your mood. The amygdala, a brain region, is in charge of hearing music. It serves as the focal point of our emotions and mood. Because of this, we listen to cheerful music, which can make us feel happier.
As a result, regular listening to upbeat music can assist in maintaining healthy brain chemistry. You may be able to maintain better emotional and mental balance.
5. It reduces stress
Music to control your cortisol levels can help you feel less stressed and more focused. Acute and chronic stress are two examples of the various types of stress. Depending on the circumstances, a certain degree of acute stress may be helpful as it aids in problem-solving.
When stress persists over time, it becomes a problem. Hormonal abnormalities result from prolonged stress. Headaches, sleeplessness, and other physical issues may result from this.
Regularly listening to music can help reduce acute stress and prevent it from developing into chronic stress.
Benefits of music on Body
The positive effects of music on your health extend beyond your brain. Your body can benefit from music as well. Here are five physical benefits of music.
1. It keeps your heart healthy
Research shows that listening to calm music helps drop blood pressure and slow heart rate as blood can flow more efficiently. As a result, this helps to maintain heart health. In fact, according to one study, music therapy may potentially increase the effectiveness of blood pressure medication.
2. It boosts your immune system
By controlling our hormones, music listening has long been known to reduce stress and promote states of relaxation. Our immunity can suffer as a result of stress hormones (think about how you often get sick following a period of stress). However, listening to music while you’re stressed out will balance your hormones. Your immune system will work at its best as a result. It can also enhance immune system-related indicators like immunoglobulin.
3. It improves your sleep quality
Many people naturally understand the calming effects of music. You’re not alone if you already listen to music to aid sleep or treat insomnia. One study discovered that individuals who listened to classical music before bedtime slept better than those who listened to audiobooks or did nothing. It means that a routine for good sleep hygiene can include music.
Your personal musical preferences will determine the genre of music that soothes you the most. However, some music uses particular frequencies and binaural beats to promote deep relaxation.
4. It increases endurance
Numerous studies have demonstrated that listening to upbeat music while exercising can increase your physical endurance and performance. There are primarily two reasons for this. The first is that upbeat music makes you feel more energized. It promotes performance by increasing blood flow.
The second is that music can give you the willpower and determination to keep going when you feel like you’ve reached your physical breaking point.
5. It regulates your nervous system
The two basic nervous system modes are “fight or flight” and “rest and digest.” One can only be activated at once.
When we encounter challenging circumstances, the fight or flight reaction is intended to activate. The nervous system returns to its default rest and digest mode once the stressor has subsided.
However, the pressures of our hectic lives can upset this delicate balance and overwhelm our bodies with excess stress hormones. By lowering stress hormones and releasing reward and relaxation hormones, listening to music can trigger the rest and digestion response.
Conclusion
You can use your favorite music whenever you need a boost. Rap music, for instance, can help you feel better when you’re feeling down, metal music can get you in the mood for a big presentation, and classical music can put you to sleep.
Now that you know the health benefits of music and how it can help your physical and mental well-being.
