Who doesn’t love music? It makes everything better. Music is the language of the universe. Some call it their religion — Jimi Hendrix for instance. Good music always leaves you full of positive vibes and fuels your creativity. There are several astonishing examples of music bringing strangers together and helping people lead a better lifestyle. Music plays a key role in an individual’s life. It is as important as water is to a parched throat.
Global research shows that listening to music enhances both physical and mental health in ways one cannot imagine. Without further ado, let us get to know the many awesome benefits of listening to good music.
Music makes you happier
“Music touches us emotionally, where words alone cannot” – Johnny Depp
It is scientifically proven that listening to music makes you happier. When you listen to music, the brain releases dopamine, also known as the ‘happy hormone’ and is responsible for us experiencing happiness and other similar emotions. In order to learn about the release of the feel-good neurotransmitter by the brain while listening to music, a lot of scientists ran some tests and discovered surprising facts. The PET scans of people who listened to their favourite music showed copious amounts of dopamine being released by the brain. The release of dopamine improves your mood significantly, reduces your anxiety, and basically makes you happier and joyful. The next time you are feeling low, just plug in your favourite music and it will take care of the rest.
Music is the key to creativity
“Without music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines or dates by which bills must be paid” – Frank Zappa
Music is the fuel to your mind which in turn amps up your creative thinking. It is widely known that creative minds have the potential to innovate and make discoveries. Listening to music not only exercised one’s creativity but also intellect. All the greatest minds in our times – Albert Einstein, Mozart, Frank Sinatra, William Shakespeare, Ludwig van Beethoven, etc. – had something in common. They constantly reinvented themselves with their imagination and creativity invigorated by music. In fact, Albert Einstein once said, “If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.”
Music helps you sleep better
“One good thing about music. When it hits you, you feel no pain” – Bob Marley
Various reports from around the world suggest that up to 50% of the people suffer from insomnia. A recent study showed that students listening to quaint and soothing classical music for 45 minutes before turning in slept better than students who listened to audiobooks or did nothing than the usual from their normal routine. So, try listening to some classical music for some time before hitting the bed if you have trouble sleeping. It works!
Music brings down stress and improves health
“Music produces a kind of pleasure which the human nature cannot do without” – Confucius
Did you know that listening to your favourite music decreases the levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, in your body? According to Harvard Business Review, 60 – 90% of the people who visit doctors suffer from stress-related issues. Also, 60% of the diseases and illnesses are because of stress. Another study showed that the immune system is boosted in people who play musical instruments and sing on a regular basis than the ones who passively listen. So, the next time you are having a bad and stressful day, listen to some music and sing along to beat the blues.
Music strengthens learning and memory
“Music is a language that doesn’t speak in particular words. It speaks in emotions, and if it’s in the bones, it’s in the bones” – Keith Richards
It is discovered by some researchers that music helps jog your memory and recall information better. However, it depends on how much an individual likes the music and whether or not they are a musician. The results of the various tests conducted by researchers demonstrated that participants who are musicians learn better with neutral music but tested better when positive music was playing. However, it is the other way round for people who aren’t musicians. So, it is better to have different playlists for different situations.
Driving is better with music
“I love the way music inside a car makes you feel invisible. If you play stereo at max volume, it’s almost like the other people can’t see into your vehicle. It tints your windows, somehow” – Chuck Klosterman
What are car rides without music? According to a study in the Netherlands, listening to music can impact your mood positively while driving. It leads to a safer driving behaviour than not listening to music. Turn up the tunes the next time you are stuck in the traffic feeling frustrated. It will enhance your state of mind significantly along with helping your drive more safely and carefully.
Music remarkably reduces depression
“I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we are from, everyone loves music” – Billy Joel
Over 350 million people suffer from depression across the globe. Reportedly, a whopping 90% of them experience insomnia. While the aforementioned sleep research demonstrated that the depression symptoms reduced remarkably in people who listened to classical music before bedtime, it is not the same with everyone. A study by Professor Hans Joachim Trappe in Germany showed that music can help patients with depressive symptoms, depending on the kind of music they listen to. Calming meditative sounds and classical music lifted people spirits up, while techno and heavy metal brought them down even more. Choose your music carefully depending on your mood. Put on some classical or meditative music the next time you feel low and it will instantly lift up your spirits.
Conclusion
Music is universal and there are no boundaries to music. Just the fact that even birds, dogs and whales can understand music to an extent proves that. Apart from the above benefits, music also helps people in developing self-discipline and time management skills. You will start looking at things from a new perspective. So, keep rocking on!