The positive effects of music on your mind and body
Although we can’t say for sure when humans first started listening to music, scientists do know why we do. Individually and collectively, listening to music is beneficial. Here’s what science says about music’s ability to promote our physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
# 1: It improves your mood and motivation
Motivation and positive feelings are directly linked to good mental health. When you’re having a horrible day, nothing beats blasting an upbeat and joyful music as loudly as possible. The upbeat musical tones and words will lift your spirits and prepare you for the day ahead.
Is your morning off to a sluggish start? Do you need to get through a long weekday? Are you lacking in inspiration to go for a run? Upbeat, fast-paced music gets your mind and body moving, energizing and motivating you to appreciate what is ahead. In reality, according to studies, classical and ambient music have the best mood-boosting properties, but metal and harsh electronic music have the opposite effect.
# 2: It helps you form connections with others
One of the most essential purposes of music, according to researchers, is to generate a sense of cohesiveness or social connectivity.
Humans may have evolved a reliance on music as a communication tool since our predecessors originated from arboreal creatures — tree-dwellers that called to one another over the canopy, according to evolutionary biologists.
# 3: It helps you focus better
One of the many amazing advantages of music is that it may be employed while going about your daily routine. It might be tough for some people to stay focused and concentrate on a task, whether it’s learning, working, or cleaning. Certain forms of music have been shown to improve attention, therefore it’s vital to know which music to listen to. Instrumental, classical, or ambient music is recommended for that purpose.
# 4: It helps to reduce anxiety and depression
Understanding how music influences your emotions may go a long way toward reducing anxiety and depression. Anxiety and sadness are increasingly being treated using music therapy.
It’s a physical and mental rehabilitation workout that involves listening to and producing healing music. In fact, a recent research by Mindlab International, Dr. David Lewis-Hodgson found that instrumental, classical, or ambient music can lower anxiety by up to 65 percent.