How Does Music Influence Your Mental Health?
When an awkward pause during the first date appears, one of the most common questions to fill the silence is ‘So, what kind of music do you like?’ Most of us have their favorite songs. We hum them while washing the dishes, sing them on a family road trip, and listen to them while working out at the gym.
But why do we like music? Why does it boost our mood and makes us want to dance? The neuroscientists from Montreal gave an answer to these questions. There is a song that says: ‘Music is my drug,’ and there is more to it than meets the eye. As it has been proved, music has a similar effect on the human brain as addictive drugs.
While people listen to pleasurable music, limbic and paralimbic areas of the brain are activated. These parts are connected to euphoric reward responses—the same reactions we receive while eating delicious food or having sex.
Sex and food also give us a rush of dopamine, so we want to do it all over again, says a BBC expert. For people, as a species, the main goal is to survive and prolong our existence on Earth for as long as possible. However, it is still unknown why music has the same addictive influence. A set of sounds is not vital for humankind to survive; however, many people might argue with this claim.
Music Can Reduce Stress
Since ancient times, people have been making and listening to music. It has always been relaxing, amusing, and calming. Modern people are lucky to have the technology that allows them to ‘carry’ the music they like everywhere.
However, it is essential to always have headphones with you. The music that relaxes you can irritate people around you, and this should be respected.
It is best to read as many reviews as you can (e.g., https://headphonesaddict.com/best-headphones-with-microphone/) and do your research to make sure your chosen pair suits all your needs, making your listening experience enjoyable.
Once you’ve chosen comfortable headphones, find a cozy place for your music therapy. It can be your bed, an armchair, or the floor if you wish so. Relax and enjoy your favorite tunes. Don’t think about anything else. Try to concentrate on the rhythms. Let your thoughts abandon you for a couple of minutes. This technique has been proven to help you calm down and get rid of anxiousness.
If you don’t have time for this music meditation, you can still improve your mood with particular songs. If you feel sad and gloomy, never listen to sad music; instead, try listening to happy tunes. It might seem not right for the first couple of minutes. But then, your mood will start adjusting to the joyful songs you’re listening to.
Music Helps you Sleep Better
A lot of children won’t fall asleep without someone singing lullabies to them. Music indeed can help improve your sleep quality or even falling asleep at all. That is why you can find so many playlists on Spotify and YouTube that were specially compiled for those who have trouble sleeping.
You can either listen to calming music during the day to decrease anxiety and stress (the most common causes of insomnia) or turn relaxing music on before and during bedtime. Various people may prefer different ways to fight sleep disorders, and it would be best if you tried both of them to find out which one works better for you.
Music Reduces Mental Fatigue
Constant fatigue is one of the most common reasons for a bad mood. There are times when you may feel truly exhausted, but you have no possibility to take a break. Indeed, you cannot take a nap in the middle of a working day with so many tasks and deadlines.
Studies have shown that, when you experience fatigue after performing monotonous and repetitive tasks, you can try fighting it by listening to energizing music. First of all, it will activate your brain and make it more alert. Secondly, you’ll bring something new to your working routine, and it will seem less boring.
Apart from reducing the effects of mental fatigue, music can help you stay motivated and improve your overall performance. It distracts your attention from the outside world that doesn’t let you concentrate on work, which increases your productivity.
The Bottom Line
Not only does music bring us a lot of pleasure, but it also calms down our nerves. For those who want to relax and combat stress, listening to music should be a must. It can also improve your sleep quality and help with the effects of fatigue that often decrease your mood.
Remember to go against the grain and don’t listen to sad music if you already feel blue. Melancholic tunes will only maintain your gloomy mood and help it flourish, and this is the last thing you need on your way to improving your mental health.
