Is Music Actually Healthy For You?

There’s something special about music.

Music can transport you to a distant time or place. It can inspire new feelings, pump you up, or relax you.

And it turns out that music is more than just a fun experience. 

Music For Mental Health

Most people recognize the joys of listening to their favorite music. But the extent to which music can improve mental health goes beyond just a temporary pick-me-up.

Music has been shown to improve memory and learning by stimulating motivation and increasing focus. Upbeat music, in particular, has been demonstrated to have a positive effect on cognitive performance tasks and processing speeds.

Music therapy appears to be an effective way to slow cognitive decline for people experiencing cognitive decline, dementia, or Alzheimer’s disease. While this effect may be small and is not a cure for memory loss, even a slight improvement in cognitive function can make a big difference in the quality of life.

In addition to cognitive benefits, music also positively affects mood and emotions. Listening to music can reduce stress and anxiety, especially beneficial for people recovering from illness, trauma, or surgery. Music therapy has also been demonstrated to be an effective aid for people living with depression or PTSD.

Music For Physical Health

The benefits of music don’t stop at mental health. There is also evidence that music could positively affect your physical health.

Exercisers and athletes often listen to music to get pumped up for a workout or competition. This isn’t just a motivational effect; music can improve endurance and exercise performance. Music makes exercise more exciting, but it can also actually make you work out longer and harder.

Music may also be an effective pain management tool. Listening to music can help to relieve pain and increase pain tolerance. This effect has been shown for acute pain, such as an injury, and chronic pain, such as arthritis.

Listening to music can also help to improve blood pressure and heart rate. This effect has been linked to reductions in stress and anxiety, which leads to improved cardiovascular health and reduced risk for chronic disease.

Music Connects Us

Beyond the individual benefits of music, music also has the power to unite us together. Music is a social activity that helps build relationships and foster social bonding.

Sharing music with others can help to build trust and closeness. It provides a common experience that can be used to create shared memories. 

Listening to music together can also be a way to connect with people from other cultures and backgrounds. It can open you up to new perspectives and build bridges between people.

So next time you’re feeling down, or need a little boost, consider listening to your favorite tunes. You may be surprised at just how good music can make you feel.