Whether it was a really stressful day at work or yet an extremely boring day, music has always been one of the “go-to” options to relax in one’s free time. 68% of adults in the U.S. listen to music each and every day as a part of their designated routine. And for those who don’t get the time to pull up their favorite songs, they still hear different genres of music one way or another through social media apps, the radio, television, grocery stores, or even from the hums of the people next to them. But what most people don’t know is that whether it be a soft, melodious tune, instrumental music, or heavy metal rock, their brains are being impacted, most in a totally positive way!
Music, composed of some sort of tune, beat, or instrument, does impact more than just a few organs of the body. However, scientists have found that most of the music’s impact is seen in the brain of any human being.
For instance, to start off, music has been proven to have a positive memory on one’s memory, or ability to remember. In one study according to Healthline.com, people were given tasks by researchers to read and afterward recall short lists of words. The end result shows that those who listened to classical music while working seemed to outperform those who worked in silence or with some sort of white noise. This same study was also tracking how fast people could perform “simple processing tasks — matching numbers to geometrical shapes — and a similar benefit showed up” (Healthline.com). Listening to Mozart’s music helped many complete the task faster and more accurately. Mayo Clinic states that although the music doesn’t reverse memory loss that people experience during forms of dementia, it does slow cognitive decline by helping some patients remember episodes from their lives.
Another wonderful effect of music is that it helps treat mental illnesses. That’s right, music does help mental health and brain functions improve. Neurological researchers have discovered that while a person listens to music, it “triggers the release of several neurochemicals that play a role in brain function and mental health,” according to Healthline.com. For example, dopamine is released, a chemical associated with “reward” centers and pleasure. Another happiness hormone called serotonin is also released, which is linked to better immunity. Neurochemicals such as these lead to an overall better mood, and with feelings of happiness being revived, the organs in your body are able to function better.
A surprising impact of listening to music that not many people know is that it can help lower fatigue. A lot of adults and teenagers, especially, are usually acclimated to getting less than eight hours of sleep, thus resulting in some days of fatigue. The science behind lowering this fatigue through songs is simply that music is quite energizing. Researchers from Shanghai University in 2015 found that even relaxing music reduced fatigue and helped maintain muscle endurance, according to PubMed Central. In other words, our bodies just feel packed with energy as the beats and tunes enter our ears, leading to a more awake brain.
Last but not least, and to a great extent, music can help lower anxiety and help calm people down in tough situations. One study concluded that listening to music leads to the body releasing less cortisol, a stress hormone. There’s no surprise to that, as this is primarily why most people pull out Spotify or turn up their tunes while working or after a stressful day. A tip provided by similar studies is to listen to music with more nature sounds, which has a better effect on lowering anxiety.
Indeed, there are certain negative effects that can be derived through certain songs such as foul language or explicit content, but as long as the music brings joy to the listener, all the great benefits outweigh the small negative outcomes.
There are definitely more than just a few benefits of listening to music, which all are especially helpful in boosting happiness, health, and other physical factors. As the world is filled with music, it’s slowly becoming a truly wonderful and happy place. So whenever you turn up the radio to hear some hits, regardless of the song style, know that your body is really loving it through and through.
Sources:
Joy, Rebecca. “The Benefits of Listening to Music.” Healthline, Healthline Media, Apr. 2020, www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-music. Accessed 2 Jan. 2022.
“9 Health Benefits of Music | NorthShore.” Northshore.org, 2020, www.northshore.org/healthy-you/9-health-benefits-of-music/. Accessed 2 Jan. 2022.
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