Most of us enjoy listening to music, and some of us also love playing it. It’s a form of art and entertainment that is now also available without limits to anyone with a device that is connected to the internet. Around 7.1 billion people around the world listen to music, which amounts to almost the entire population of the planet. Longevity Live Paid Content.
However, not many are aware of the benefits that music can provide to our mental well-being. In this article, we will explore some interesting findings on this topic. We also explain how music can promote good mental health for every member of your family.
1. Music Can Boost Mental Well-Being in Adults
A study published in the Journal of Cognitive Enhancement suggests that background music can positively impact our cognitive performance. The music genres mostly associated with this effect are jazz, lo-fi, and piano. Researchers conducted this study by sampling 108 participants that were assigned to four experimental groups and for whom the level of sustained attention, acute attention, and HRV (Heart Rate Variability) were observed over a period of 3 days.
The study concluded that the performance of those exposed to background music was better than those who didn’t. These findings lead to the verdict that relaxing background music can make us more effective at performing tasks that require a high level of concentration, including studying, working, or cooking.
Music has also been linked to reduced stress and anxiety levels, as highlighted by a study on the effects of music therapy on ill patients. Researchers analyzed the effects of music on cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and respiratory systems, noting that the tempo of music can affect the speed of our heart rate and impact our breathing and blood pressure. The implication of this study is that listening to slow music can help us reduce anxiety and nervousness.
Another positive effect of listening to music is that it causes the release of “feel good” chemicals like dopamine, meaning it can directly improve our mood and make us feel more joyful and better rewarded.
As hinted earlier, different music genres can impact our mental health and well-being differently. For example, while classical music can increase our level of relaxation, rap music or hip-hop can be uplifting and motivating when dealing with issues like depression and low mood in general. Even heavy metal has been linked with positive effects on our mental health, such as enhanced identity development and better adjustment.
2. Music Has a Positive Impact on Kids’ Development
Listening to and playing music also has specific benefits for children’s mental health, well-being, and development.
Research conducted by the University of Southern California concluded that music training causes faster brain development in children. The most significant benefits were witnessed in the areas of language development, sound processing, reading skills, and speech perception. These observations were the results of a 5-year study that lasted from 2012 to 2017.
Musical activities have also been known to enhance creativity in kids. Like other forms of art, they encourage children to use their imagination, express their feelings, experiment with new ideas, and create associations between things, actions, and feelings. Moreover, music helps children familiarize themselves with concepts like harmony. It also helps them develop balance and coordination in motor skills through dancing.
Another area in which music can positively affect your child’s development is memory. Research has indicated that kids that engage in musical activities tend to be better at remembering things. This is because music training tends to stimulate the hippocampus, an area of the brain linked to memory formation.
All these findings show how beneficial it would be to engage your kids in music listening and training. Buying an affordable musical instrument, like a guitar or a beginner drum set, is a great way to stimulate their interest in this activity. Playing an instrument is one of the most constructive and healthy hobbies your children can have, and it also helps them develop crucial life skills like patience and problem-solving.
3. Music Reinforces Human Relationships
Music can also play a vital role in strengthening social bonds between family members and people in general.
Studies have highlighted that music impacts the levels of oxytocin in our bodies. This term refers to a neuropeptide that is linked with increased levels of bond and trust between people. This is among the reasons why lullabies are so effective at reinforcing the emotional connection between parents and their babies.
Another piece of research has shown a link between music and increased empathy. The study revolved around a social skill known as the theory of mind. Scientists suggest that when we listen to music, we don’t limit ourselves to processing sounds, but also try to understand the musicians’ intentions and what they are trying to communicate.
Other positive social effects that have been associated with musical activity include increased cultural cohesion and better cooperation between people.
4. Our Pets Can Benefit From Music Too
This may surprise you, but kids, parents, and other relatives aren’t the only members of the family that can benefit from increased exposure to music. Music therapy has also been recognized as an effective way of treating anxiety and fear in our furry little friends. Moreover, it helps them sleep better, recover from surgery, reduce the need for certain medications, and deal with separation anxiety.
Who is the author?
Julian Hooks
Julian Hooks is a frequent writer and contributor to better drumming careers and blogs. He has dedicated his career to helping you kick-start your drumming right from the beginning. Julian started playing drums at age ten and has been doing marvelous things since then.
In addition to writing about drum sets such as acoustic, electronic, and drum accessories, cajons, headphones, and double bass pedals, he is also interested in providing you with some valuable lessons on how to get started.
