Benefits of Music
Music has been embedded in humanity for centuries. It allows us to express ourselves and share experiences & emotions. Alongside its cultural benefits, music has many health benefits
Whether it be performing or listening to music has effects on the brain which include physical and psychological benefits. Music releases chemicals in the brain known as neurotransmitters and hormones which can cause emotional reactions, increase social bonds and memories. It can even reduce heart beat, decrease a stress hormone called cortisol, lower blood pressure, and increase serotonin/endorphins levels
It can help to manage pain. It reduces the stress levels in the body, and provides a more stronger stimulant compared to the pain, aiding in pain management.
It can also affect your brain directly, by affecting the structure of your brain. Certain structures are considerably larger in people playing music compared to those who don’t. These changes were noticeable in people who started learning music at a young age.
Mental Health Benefits
While music can benefit you physically it can do just the same for you mentally. Music is known to reduce stress and research has found that listening to music does this by triggering biochemical stress reducers.
It is often used when people are low. Music can release the chemical dopamine, which is known for making people feel good. Often released when doing pleasure activities, such as playing a game.
Music Therapy
Music therapy is the use of music to help reduce stress or improve quality of life in the lives of individuals. Usually a healthcare provider recommends a music therapist, who can help individuals find their preferred music, and tailor sessions accordingly.
Music therapy is not Soley focused on listening to music, depending on a Indvidual's goals they may be different accordingly. For example some Music therapy experiences may include singing, writing music, writing music.
Music therapy can take place in many settings, these include but are not limited to; hospitals, nursing homes, senior centers, mental health centers. Music therapy can benefit everyone regardless of age.
Harmful side of Music
Even though music has many positive effects, it also has negative effects, especially rumination. Rumination is when an individual has negative thinking or feelings, which can contribute to depression and anxiety. This is impactful for teenagers who use music as self expression.
Accordioning to research, researches find that music related harm can occur when people selected sad songs on purpose during moments of psychological distress. This can make the symptoms more amplified, resulting in unhealthy behaviors.
It’s important to pay attention to what music your listening to and in what setting. Making sure it has a positive impact on you.
Afterwords
Music is always in every individuals life, with many hidden benefits starting with physical benefits such as lowered blood pressure to mental benefits such as lowering anxiety. Since of its many positive impacts, music therapy has become an option for indviduals, allowing them to improve the quality of their life.
https://www.chnola.org/news-blog/2023/april/the-harmful-side-of-music-understanding-the-effe/#:~:text=However%2C%20research%20shows%20that%20music,anxiety%20or%20worsen%20existing%20conditions. Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board