Music has been around for a long time. It has been used to pass along stories from one generation to the next. Music is a part of many ceremonies to celebrate milestones and mark the passing of time. Music is a part of our everyday life as we drive to work, sing happy birthday and ring in the new year. Music is played at sporting events, parties, the supermarket, the gym and even on the elevator! You hear it in the background of almost every movie and at the beginning of most television shows. There is no denying that music is a part of our everyday lives.
We all know the physical impact of music. When a good song comes on the radio people start tapping their feet, bobbing their head, snapping their fingers and moving their body to the sound of the beat. But music can have an emotional impact as well. Studies have shown that music can lift your mood just as much as it can contribute to feelings of depression and sadness.
Numerous studies have been done over the years to show the impact that music can have on our mood and emotions. Results show that people often regulate their mood through music. Listening to upbeat music can bring joy and happiness. In a 2021 article in Conscious Lifestyle Magazine it points out that positive feelings help increase a body’s production of oxytocin and dopamine which contribute to feelings of love and happiness. On the opposite end of the spectrum, sad music can alter your mood in a negative way. Interestingly, when people are sad, they sometimes enjoy listening to melancholy music. An article from Healthline discusses the desire to listen to sad music when experiencing loss or a breakup because it is nice to know that someone else has experienced the same thing. “They compared it to the preference most people have for an empathic friend — someone who truly understands what you’re going through.”
There are many benefits for using music as therapy: “The American Music Therapy Association reports that music therapy programs can be designed to achieve goals such as managing stress, enhancing memory, and alleviating pain.” The best part of it? Music is free, safe and non-invasive. Studies have shown that people listening to calming, uplifting music often decreases their need for pain medication. Helthline points out, “ music therapy can be an effective treatment for mood disorders related to neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, dementia, stroke, and multiple sclerosis.” Scientific studies also show the power of music with memory. Many Alzheimer’s patients are able to reconnect with the past through song. Playing music they once knew often helps them remember things from their youth and reconnect with the world. Likewise, when young students are learning new concepts or have to memorize facts, a song is a great way to help it stick.
There is no denying it. Music can help your mood! Want to feel happy? Listen to a ubeat, peppy song. Feeling alone? You’re not! Listen to a sad song and find someone to commiserate with. Check out the selection of songs on the website and find one to match your mood!
