Benefits of Music
Listening to music has many benefits. Some of these benefits include:
Pain therapy- Overall, music does have positive effects on pain management. Music can help reduce the feelings and stress that happen because of chronic pain and postoperative pain. Listening to music can also reduce chronic pain from many painful conditions, including osteoarthritis, disc problems and rheumatoid arthritis, by up to 21% and depression by up to 25%, according to a paper in a UK-based Journal of Advanced Nursing. Music therapy is increasingly used in hospitals to reduce the use of medication during childbirth, to reduce postoperative pain and help with the use of anesthesia during surgery. There are a few theories about how music positively affects pain: Music can act as a distractor, music may give the patient a sense of control, music causes the body to release endorphins to fight pain and slow music relaxes the person by slowing their breathing and heartbeat.
Pain therapy- Overall, music does have positive effects on pain management. Music can help reduce the feelings and stress that happen because of chronic pain and postoperative pain. Listening to music can also reduce chronic pain from many painful conditions, including osteoarthritis, disc problems and rheumatoid arthritis, by up to 21% and depression by up to 25%, according to a paper in a UK-based Journal of Advanced Nursing. Music therapy is increasingly used in hospitals to reduce the use of medication during childbirth, to reduce postoperative pain and help with the use of anesthesia during surgery. There are a few theories about how music positively affects pain: Music can act as a distractor, music may give the patient a sense of control, music causes the body to release endorphins to fight pain and slow music relaxes the person by slowing their breathing and heartbeat.
Reducing blood pressure- By playing recordings of relaxing music every morning and evening, people with high blood pressure can train themselves to lower their blood pressure, and even keep it low. According to research that was reported at the American Society of Hypertension meeting in New Orleans, listening to only 30 minutes of classical, Celtic or raga music every day could really reduce high blood pressure.
Helps your heart- Research shows that it is musical tempo, more than the type, which actually helps your heart. Italian and British researchers did a test on young men and women, half of whom were trained musicians. The participants were given head phones and listened to six types of music, including rap and classical pieces, with random two-minute pauses. As the participants listened, the researchers monitored their breathing, heart rates and blood pressure. The participants had faster heart and breathing rates when they listened to lively music. When the music slowed down, their heart and breathing rates did too. Apparently, during the musical pauses, heart and breathing rates went back to normal. It did not seem to matter if the person liked the type of music or not. The tempo of the music had the biggest effect on relaxation.
Speeds Post-Stroke Recovery- Listening to any type of music that you find enjoyable every day can speed recovery from strokes, according to the latest research. When stroke patients in Finland listened to music for a couple of hours each day, verbal memory and attention span improved a lot compared to patients who received no musical healing, or who listened only to stories read out loud, the study reports.
Chronic headaches & migraine remedy- Music can help migraine and chronic headache sufferers lessen the intensity, frequency, and duration of the headaches.
Music boosts immunity- Music can boost the immune system function. Scientists say that a particular type of music can make a positive emotional experience, which leads to an increase of immune-boosting hormones. This helps add to a decrease in the factors responsible for illness. Listening to music or singing can also decrease levels of the stress-related hormone called cortisol. Higher levels of cortisol can lead to a decreased immune system.
Helps your heart- Research shows that it is musical tempo, more than the type, which actually helps your heart. Italian and British researchers did a test on young men and women, half of whom were trained musicians. The participants were given head phones and listened to six types of music, including rap and classical pieces, with random two-minute pauses. As the participants listened, the researchers monitored their breathing, heart rates and blood pressure. The participants had faster heart and breathing rates when they listened to lively music. When the music slowed down, their heart and breathing rates did too. Apparently, during the musical pauses, heart and breathing rates went back to normal. It did not seem to matter if the person liked the type of music or not. The tempo of the music had the biggest effect on relaxation.
Speeds Post-Stroke Recovery- Listening to any type of music that you find enjoyable every day can speed recovery from strokes, according to the latest research. When stroke patients in Finland listened to music for a couple of hours each day, verbal memory and attention span improved a lot compared to patients who received no musical healing, or who listened only to stories read out loud, the study reports.
Chronic headaches & migraine remedy- Music can help migraine and chronic headache sufferers lessen the intensity, frequency, and duration of the headaches.
Music boosts immunity- Music can boost the immune system function. Scientists say that a particular type of music can make a positive emotional experience, which leads to an increase of immune-boosting hormones. This helps add to a decrease in the factors responsible for illness. Listening to music or singing can also decrease levels of the stress-related hormone called cortisol. Higher levels of cortisol can lead to a decreased immune system.
Music enhances intelligence, learning and IQ- The idea that music makes you smarter has gotten a lot attention from scientists and the media. Listening to music or playing an instrument can actually make you learn better, and there is research to confirm this.
Music improves memory performance- Certain types of music can even affect the brain in such ways as to improve memory. Mozart's music and other baroque music, with a 60 beats per minute beat pattern, activates the left and right brain. The left and right brain actions working together maximize the ability to learn and remember information. The information being studied activates the left brain while the music activates the right brain. Also, activities which use both sides of the brain at the same time, such as playing an instrument or singing, cause the brain to be more capable of processing information.
Music improves concentration and attention- Easy listening music or relaxing music improves the length and strength of concentration in all age groups and ability levels. It's not yet known what type of music is better, or what kind of musical tempo/rhythm is needed to help, but many studies have shown notable effects.
Background music may help make performance on cognitive tasks better. One older study found that listening to music allowed people taking tests to complete more questions in the time allowed, and get more answers right. Newer research shows that if music improves cognitive function or not depends on whether the music first improves a person's emotional state.
Music improves memory performance- Certain types of music can even affect the brain in such ways as to improve memory. Mozart's music and other baroque music, with a 60 beats per minute beat pattern, activates the left and right brain. The left and right brain actions working together maximize the ability to learn and remember information. The information being studied activates the left brain while the music activates the right brain. Also, activities which use both sides of the brain at the same time, such as playing an instrument or singing, cause the brain to be more capable of processing information.
Music improves concentration and attention- Easy listening music or relaxing music improves the length and strength of concentration in all age groups and ability levels. It's not yet known what type of music is better, or what kind of musical tempo/rhythm is needed to help, but many studies have shown notable effects.
Background music may help make performance on cognitive tasks better. One older study found that listening to music allowed people taking tests to complete more questions in the time allowed, and get more answers right. Newer research shows that if music improves cognitive function or not depends on whether the music first improves a person's emotional state.
Music improves body movement and coordination-
Music lessens muscle tension and improves body movement and coordination. Music can be very important in developing, maintaining and restoring physical functioning in the rehabilitation of persons with movement disorders.
Music can help exercise- In 1911, an American researcher named Leonard Ayres found that cyclists pedaled faster while listening to music than they did in silence. This happens because listening to music can drown out our brain’s signals of fatigue. As our body realizes we’re tired and wants to stop exercising, it sends signals to the brain to stop for a break. Listening to music competes for our brain’s attention, and can help to block out those signals of fatigue, which can increase endurance. Music with a fast tempo can also provide motivation for exercise, and help you exercise faster.
Speed up post-workout recovery- One study found that listening to music after a workout can help the body recover faster. While slow music helped make a greater relaxation effect after exercise, it seems that any kind of music can help the physical recovery process.
Music can help exercise- In 1911, an American researcher named Leonard Ayres found that cyclists pedaled faster while listening to music than they did in silence. This happens because listening to music can drown out our brain’s signals of fatigue. As our body realizes we’re tired and wants to stop exercising, it sends signals to the brain to stop for a break. Listening to music competes for our brain’s attention, and can help to block out those signals of fatigue, which can increase endurance. Music with a fast tempo can also provide motivation for exercise, and help you exercise faster.
Speed up post-workout recovery- One study found that listening to music after a workout can help the body recover faster. While slow music helped make a greater relaxation effect after exercise, it seems that any kind of music can help the physical recovery process.
Improve sleep quality- Listening to classical music has been shown to successfully treat insomnia. This makes music a safe and cheap alternative to sleep-inducing medication.
Help people lose weight (eat less)- One study found that playing soft music during a meal could help people slow down while eating and consume less food.
Enhance blood vessel function- Scientists have found that the emotions patients feel while listening to music have a healthy effect on blood vessel function. Music both made study participants feel happier and it also caused increased blood flow in their blood vessels.
Reduce stress- Research has found that listening to music can relieve stress by triggering biochemical stress reducers.
Induce a meditative state- Listening to slow music can alter brainwave speed, creating brainwave activity similar to when a person is meditating. Some research suggests that using rhythm (such as music) to induce these states can have a therapeutic effect, helping with migraines, PMS, and even behavioral issues.
Help people lose weight (eat less)- One study found that playing soft music during a meal could help people slow down while eating and consume less food.
Enhance blood vessel function- Scientists have found that the emotions patients feel while listening to music have a healthy effect on blood vessel function. Music both made study participants feel happier and it also caused increased blood flow in their blood vessels.
Reduce stress- Research has found that listening to music can relieve stress by triggering biochemical stress reducers.
Induce a meditative state- Listening to slow music can alter brainwave speed, creating brainwave activity similar to when a person is meditating. Some research suggests that using rhythm (such as music) to induce these states can have a therapeutic effect, helping with migraines, PMS, and even behavioral issues.
Relieve symptoms of depression- Music can help someone that is feeling depressed lift their mood. Research shows that the kind of music matters: Classical and meditative sounds seem to be uplifting, while heavy metal and techno can actually make depressive symptoms worse.
Elevate mood- A 2013 study found that music helped put people in a better mood and be more aware of their feelings. Study participants rated "arousal and mood regulation" and "self-awareness" as the two most important benefits of listening to music.
Help people perform better in high-pressure situations- One study found that basketball players that usually performed poorly under pressure during games were noticeably better during high-pressure free-throw shooting if they first listened to upbeat music.
Reduce anxiety as much as a massage- A study found that music's effect on anxiety levels is similar to the effect of getting a massage.
Relax patients before surgery- One study found that listening to music helped put surgery patients at ease as they waited for their operations.
Ease stress after surgery- Music is helpful pre-surgery, but it is just as beneficial after surgeries. Another study showed that listening to music while resting in bed after surgery helped relax patients and decrease their stress levels.
Elevate mood- A 2013 study found that music helped put people in a better mood and be more aware of their feelings. Study participants rated "arousal and mood regulation" and "self-awareness" as the two most important benefits of listening to music.
Help people perform better in high-pressure situations- One study found that basketball players that usually performed poorly under pressure during games were noticeably better during high-pressure free-throw shooting if they first listened to upbeat music.
Reduce anxiety as much as a massage- A study found that music's effect on anxiety levels is similar to the effect of getting a massage.
Relax patients before surgery- One study found that listening to music helped put surgery patients at ease as they waited for their operations.
Ease stress after surgery- Music is helpful pre-surgery, but it is just as beneficial after surgeries. Another study showed that listening to music while resting in bed after surgery helped relax patients and decrease their stress levels.
Help cancer patients manage stress and anxiety- Music has been shown to help cancer patients communicate their feelings, manage stress, and ease physical pain and discomfort. It can also reduce anxiety and improve their quality of life.
Music can help premature babies grow- Dr. Dror Mandel and Dr. Ronit Lubetzky at Tel Aviv University played half an hour of Mozart every day to premature babies, with amazing results. The babies who listened to the music grew much faster than those who weren’t listening to the music. The researchers still aren’t sure what is causing the effect, but they think it has to do with the calming effects of classical music, which can help reduce stress and boost the immune systems of listeners even as young as babies.
Music can help premature babies grow- Dr. Dror Mandel and Dr. Ronit Lubetzky at Tel Aviv University played half an hour of Mozart every day to premature babies, with amazing results. The babies who listened to the music grew much faster than those who weren’t listening to the music. The researchers still aren’t sure what is causing the effect, but they think it has to do with the calming effects of classical music, which can help reduce stress and boost the immune systems of listeners even as young as babies.