The phrase you hear most often now is “stay healthy and safe!” It’s replaced your email signature, you say it to the grocery workers, and to your family. With COVID-19 still out there, our health and the health of our family is in the forefront of our mind. What are some ways you can stay healthy besides your daily glass of orange juice and proper hand-washing? Music! Let’s look at just a few ways music can improve our health.
Stimulates brain
As music travels through the sound waves into our ears, our brain activity lights up! This is because the two hemispheres of the brain are communicating. The right side of the brain is considered the creative portion of the brain while the left side is the analytical portion. But as we listen to music, the left side of the brain recalls a memory. Memories often have emotions attached to them which is where the right side of the brain comes in. As the music plays on, you feel the rhythm and hear the lyrics. Your brain activity continues as the left side comprehends the words and the right recalls the emotions associated with the words. Even more stimulation occurs when you play an instrument or dance. Nearly all of the cerebral cortex is active at this point.
Reduces Stress
Going back to the emotional responses music elicits from us. Oftentimes these emotions are happy or calming. Your brain can recall how certain sounds or a string of lyrics make you feel and trigger chemical releases. For example, the song you first danced to with your partner comes on. You’re immediately back in the moment and experience all the emotions again. This is because of dopamine: the happiness chemical. So next time you’re feeling stressed about work, school, or family, jam out to your favorite song!
Work out harder
Many of us turn to music when we’re getting ready to clean or put in a good sweat. We load up our favorite Spotify or Pandora playlist and get to it. Why? Because we feel more productive at the end of it. And that’s true! Music allows us to move with efficiency because almost all of our brain is working in sync. When we’re feeling productive, we’re motivated to continue our workout and push our bodies to a new max. Cleaning can also be a good workout and sometimes it can be hard to find the motivation to get started. Music puts our brain to work so we can get work done as well.
Speed up recovery
Whether you’re recovering from a cold or surgery, listening to music can help aid in your recovery. One of the first health assessments done when you visit your doctor is taking your blood pressure. This vital sign reveals to your doctor the stress your body is under whether it’s internal or external. Meditative or classical music produces a calming effect on our bodies, lowering our blood pressure and aiding in a speedy recovery. Music can also help take your mind off the discomfort of illness or surgical procedures by shifting your focus.
Photo by Everyday Health
Improves heart health
Lowering your blood pressure isn’t the only heart-related health benefit of music. Depending on the tempo of the music you listen to, you can increase or lower your heart rate. This is particularly useful for heart attack survivors as it can help reduce the stress the heart is under. Music is also a great motivator for cardio workouts and it can help you get your heart rate up and bring it back down.
Keeping all of this in mind, we can see how music can play an important part in our mental and psychical health. The demands of school, work, and family can take its toll on your body. Music aids in improving your overall health. So next time you’re feeling down, need motivation, or feeling stressed, turn on your favorite music app or break out your instrument. Your mind and body will thank you.
Read more on the science behind the benefits of music:
Psychological Effects of Music by Brynni Jacobi
How Music Can Help You Heal by Harvard Health Publishing