The Benefits of Music
Music benefits us in so many ways.
Listening to music and making music are just the beginning! There are emotional, physical, social, and cognitive benefits to music, as well!
There are several emotional benefits to music. One is that it helps lift mood. Music can boost the production of the hormone dopamine which can lead to a lighter mood. Think of a time when a song made you smile or when you were singing along to a song when you were feeling down and your mood brightened.
When learning new musical skills or pieces, it can be something to be proud of and help increase confidence. Also, there’s the sense of achievement in mastering that new piece. Music can also lull us to sleep – there are lullabies and calming music apps just for that purpose.
Next, there are physical benefits to music. Music can lower your blood pressure and stress levels. In fact, doctors are using a patient’s preferred music during procedures to help reduce stress levels. Playing an instrument is also physical, as breathing, coordination, and fine motor skills come into play.
Dancing and moving to a song is also physical. Music can help give us more energy and can lead to us to do more/better when exercising, or workout longer.
There is a social aspect to music as well. Working in a group – big or small – and making music can bring people together. Playing in a group requires co-operation and awareness of the others around us.
Another part of the social aspect of music is enjoying music together in concerts. There’s nothing like that feeling of being at a concert and enjoying the music with hundreds or thousands of other people!
Finally, there are cognitive benefits of music. In children, music can help with language development, in particular learning new vocabulary or concepts. Sometimes people that have trouble with speech will be able to sing (e.g. people who stutter).
Discipline is required to make music. Practicing to master a song requires a lot of patience and discipline.
Music can help with memory. When listening to an old song, we can often remember where we were and what we were doing. It’s powerful!
Music can lull us to sleep or give us more energy for that workout and everything in between. So enjoy music, but know that it’s doing so much more for you than you realize!
RESOURCES
- https://www.nemc.com/blog/?p=why-music-matters
- https://blog.pbone.co.uk/the-emotional-benefits-of-music
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3WM314mvNKTv8zfSJr5jjMw/6-things-music-could-do-for-your-mind
- https://www.northshore.org/healthy-you/9-health-benefits-of-music/
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/keep-your-brain-young-with-music
- https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-music#takeaway
- https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/four_ways_music_strengthens_social_bonds
