One of my favorite pastimes is putting on my headphones and scrolling Pinterest. I love having music in the background of my life, especially when I am doing various activities or tasks. Everytime I click play on Spotify, I automatically experience a lifted mood and revived spirit.
In addition to putting a little pep in your step, listening to music can be a great benefit to one’s health. According to the Music Institute of Chicago, “Beyond easing stress and anxiety, music has been shown to elevate mood. Studies indicate that music boosts dopamine and serotonin production in the brain. Additionally, many of the brain pathways that process music overlap with those that process pain.”
Listening to or producing music serves as an excellent way to naturally destress your body and settle your mind.
Blast to the Past
Do you ever notice how music also serves as a portal to past memories? Psychology Today lists three positive impacts of music, one of which states, “Many people use music to trigger their memory and remind themselves of important past events.”
I know in my experience – especially anytime I feel myself getting anxious, stressed, or overwhelmed – unwinding and turning on nostalgic songs from my childhood almost always makes me feel better.
So, next time you feel that you’re submerged in life’s daily responsibilities, take some time to throw on a favorite childhood song and relive the fond memory that is stored away.
Effects of Genres
LMT Music Academy shares, “Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have demonstrated that listening to music activates key brain areas such as the amygdala, hippocampus, and auditory cortex. These regions are closely linked to emotional processing, memory formation, and auditory perception.”
Upon researching this functionality deeper, LMT Music Academy shares the impact that different genres of music have on your brain:
- Classical music is associated with positive outcomes in cognitive performance.
- Rock or heavy metal music has been found to increase feelings of anger or aggression in listeners, while others found it to give them a cathartic, relieving effect.
- Jazz and blues music was found to stir deep, emotional feelings in listeners ranging from ecstasy to melancholy.
- Pop music is characterized by catchy melodies that promote happiness and relaxation.
- Electronic dance music – also known as EDM – was found to make listeners feel euphoric and energetic, while providing heightened sensory experiences.
Conclusion
From calming classical to upbeat EDM, different music genres influence our emotions and bodily responses in unique ways.
Music serves as a powerful tool to enhance our mood, sharpen our focus on various tasks, and promote our overall mental well-being.
