Music, a combination of sounds and rhythms put together. It is a type of art, a way to express yourself. Have you ever wondered about the benefits of listening to music? If so, this article delves into how music is best for reducing stress, boosting your mood, and increasing productivity.
Feeling stressed? Don’t worry, the perfect solution is to listen to music! According to the University of Nevada, “Music around 60 beats per minute can cause the brain to synchronise with the beat causing alpha brain waves.” Alpha brain waves are present when we are relaxed and in a calm state. Although there are many ways to increase alpha brain waves such as meditation or exercise, according to doctors, music can also be surprisingly effective. For example, music such as jazz is a great tool for stress relief as studies prove that listening to jazz can reduce heart rates and bring people to a calm state. People find jazz music calming due to its use of syncopated rhythm, and melodic tunes. This is why many therapists recommend patients who suffer from anxiety or stress-related disorders to listen to jazz music.
We all have bad days, it is just a part of life. However, blasting some tunes in your room can help cheer you up! Despite everyone having different opinions on music that makes them happy, research shows that there are specific musical features that tend to appear in ‘happy’ songs. For example, songs written in a major key are often perceived as happy music, because of how our brains process and interpret music. Faster music also tends to induce more positive emotions than slower music. Research suggests that most music perceived as ‘happy’ music tends to be performed between 140-160 beats per minute (bpm). This can be seen as true for Taylor Swift’s well-known song Shake It Off which is classified as a very happy song with a bpm of 160. Most importantly, you will have to listen to music you enjoy to experience benefits such as increased dopamine and reduced cortisol levels (stress). Now you know what songs to play when you are feeling miserable!
The swooshing sound of the wind, the honking from the cars, aren’t you bored of listening to the racket of noise around you? Well, listening to music will help! Although many people believe that listening to music drones your focus away, this is not true. According to a recent study, music increases your productivity by 7.4%. However, this will only happen if you choose a suitable type of music to listen to. For instance, music that is too slow may leave you feeling discouraged and drowsy, whilst listening to music too upbeat can decrease your concentration levels. The best music to listen to is a playlist of songs you enjoy, but have heard so often that you are already familiar with the beats and lyrics in the music. With this playlist, you will be able to play enjoyable background music that increases dopamine levels while being concentrated. Increased dopamine levels motivate you to achieve your goals – not to mention, this motivation can help with increasing productivity as well, which means that you can spend less time doing homework and more time doing what you love!
In conclusion, listening to music has many benefits but it is important to take note that everyone perceives music differently and what you might think is calming might be distracting to other people. This is why you need to test out what type of music benefits you the most. Have fun experimenting!
Bibliography:
Releasing Stress Through the Power of Music | Counseling Services. (2024). Retrieved April 18, 2024, from University of Nevada, Reno website: https://www.unr.edu/counseling/virtual-relaxation-room/releasing-stress-through-the-power-of-music#:~:text=Sounds%20of%20rain%2C%20thunder%2C%20and
News, N. (2023, April). Happy Songs: These Are the Musical Elements That Make Us Feel Good – Neuroscience News. Retrieved April 18, 2024, from Neuroscience News website: https://neurosciencenews.com/music-happiness-22910/#:~:text=Faster%20music%20tends%20to%20induce,Me%20Now%20at%20156%20BPM
Schooley, S. (2019, February 21). Music and Its Effect on Productivity. Retrieved April 18, 2024, from Business News Daily website: https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/11294-music-effect-on-productivity.html
News, N. (2023, April). Happy Songs: These Are the Musical Elements That Make Us Feel Good – Neuroscience News. Retrieved April 18, 2024, from Neuroscience News website: https://neurosciencenews.com/music-happiness-22910/#:~:text=Faster%20music%20tends%20to%20induce,Me%20Now%20at%20156%20BPM
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