Whether you like to dance your blues away or you want that fix of nostalgia by listening to a song that takes you back to yesteryear, music has a hold on us unlike any other form of the arts.
Yet, while we all can vary from music enthusiasts to occasional listeners, did you know that by simply playing your favorite song you could be benefiting your body’s health?
There are proven health benefits of listening to music. Some of them may seem logical but others may surprise you. Read on to find out more.
- Music Can Lift Your Mood
Starting with one that we all can relate to, listening to music can lift your spirits when you are down in the dumps. The reason?
Recent studies have shown that the pleasure-releasing neurotransmitter, dopamine, is enhanced when we play music. Dopamine is what tells our bodies when we enjoy something to do it again, indicating joy and excitement. So, when you can’t seem to resist touching that repeat button don’t feel guilty, you’re actually doing wonders for your spirits!
- Reduce Stress
We all can benefit from finding new ways to calm our minds and hearts given the stressful times that we live in. So the next time that you feel overwhelmed, it may be comforting to know that you can take some solace in the world of music.
One of the benefits of listening to music is that it lowers your cortisol levels, the hormone related to stress. Even more curious is the fact that live music is particularly effective at this, as shown in this study.
While we may pine for the opportunity to return to enjoying the benefits of live music again, due to current COVID-19 restrictions, how to go about going to concerts again is discussed further in this link here.
- Boost Your Memory
Music is also a great aid in improving your memory. One test however showed that the type of music that works best for you could depend on whether you were a musician or not.
The study showed that those who were musicians showed an improved memory when listening to neutral music whereas non-musicians did better when positive fun music was played.
Regardless of your musical talents. however, it is clear that if you need to keep something in mind, it pays to let the music play.
- Help You Lose Weight?
Saving the strangest for last, it has been shown that what you put in your ears could affect your stomach. The reason links some of the other benefits of listening to music that we have already discussed.
In increasing our body’s dopamine reserves, music also has a knock-on effect on our production of endorphins. An increase of these two positive chemicals for the body and the resulting reduction in cortisol can lower your appetite and cravings.
Reap the Benefits of Listening to Music
Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones once said, “Music is a language that doesn’t speak in particular words. It speaks in emotions, and if it’s in the bones, it’s in the bones.”
Little did he know that those very bones benefit in more ways than one from hearing their words repeated back to them.
We hope that you enjoyed learning about the benefits of listening to music.
If you did please check out the other wonderful musical content on our site.
