There are so many ways music can enhance our lives. Whether we are listening to it, creating it, or playing it, music has effects on the brain and body that are backed by science.
Listening to music may not only be enjoyable but can also have positive effects on both physical and mental health as well.
Here are some of the amazing benefits music has.
Sleep Better
Those that have trouble sleeping could really benefit from listening to music.
Music can help a person to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Music has the tendency to help a person relax and ease their anxiety and stress.
While some may talk to their doctors about using medication to help them sleep, using music is a cheaper option.
Work Out Harder
Music can be motivating when it is used as a tool during a workout.
It can boost a person’s mood and therefore help them to feel more energetic to get a work out in.
It also can help them work out longer.
Studies have found that using music as a distraction helps a person to become less bored with their work out.
Additional studies have found that when listening to fast music and riding a bike, it can motivate an individual to work harder at pedaling.
Overall, this burns more calories.
Reduce Stress and Anxiety
Music actually has the power to alter the chemicals in the brain and reduce stress.
One study also shows that listening to music can be just as effective when it comes to anxiety as a massage.
Think of how expensive massages can be and opt for listening to some calming music instead.
Reduce Physical Pain
Studies have shown that both patients going into surgery and coming out of it can benefit from listening to music.
Before surgery, many patients may be anxious or worried about how the surgery is going to go.
Music can be used to soothe them into a deep sleep.
It can also help patients who are experiencing physical pain and can speed up the recovery process.
Deep Breathing and Meditation
Using deep breathing and meditation as a coping tool for physical pain, stress, or anxiety can have great benefits.
Music is a tool that can help you to achieve success when it comes to deep breathing and meditation.
This will help to reduce stress and anxiety, and can also be an effective tool for coping with physical pain.
Improve Mood
If you have ever been in a terrible mood and used music as a tool, then you already know it can boost your mood.
It can make you happier or relieve feelings of sadness during times or loss.
In addition, it has also been shown to help those with depression feel more hopeful and uplifted.
Listening to music that is calm and soft has a greater effect than that which is loud and heavy.
There are many ways you can listen to music.
Whether you are in the car, listening to it through headphones or record players, music can greatly increase positivity in your life.
Help with Cognitive Performance
When taking a test or recalling information, music can help improve our performance.
Studies have found that when people are listening to music during a test, they perform higher than those that did not listen to music.
Their performance was greater in both the number of questions that were answered correctly, as well as the number of questions they were able to answer in a given amount of time.
Eat Less
With many people being overweight or obese, the amount of food we eat can sometimes be an issue.
If you are looking for ways to eat less, consider putting on soft background music and putting the lights dimmer when eating.
This has been proven to help people eat less overall.
Increase Blood Flow in Blood Vessels
When listening to music, one study found that listening to music can actually increase blood flow to the blood vessels in the body.
This can happen when the music is uplifting and improves a person’s mood while listening.
Help In High-Stress Situations
An interesting study done with basketball players shows that listening to positive and upbeat music before playing a game results in a better performance.
High-stress situations can cause a lot of anxiety, especially when having to perform in front of other people.
Music can positively impact performance if listened to before the stressful situation.
Overall, music has many great benefits that have been backed by science when it comes to their effects on the brain and the body.
It can motivate us to work harder, which can increase our whole health, can improve mood and feelings of depression, and can help us get a better night’s sleep.
Music is also a cheaper alternative to other forms of therapy and medication.
