Music is with us throughout our lives, like that additional rep in the set to run an extra mile. It has the ability to swiftly transform our moods. According to studies, listening to music improves our mental health by making us happier, wiser, and more productive. For centuries, people have observed the connection between music and emotions. It’s difficult to fathom life without music because it expresses and evokes emotions in ways that words alone cannot.
Music played on various notes evokes a variety of feelings, and most of us would agree on the emotional meaning, whether happy or sad. Major chords, for example, are known to be uplifting, whereas minor chords are known to be depressing.
Music stimulates every part of the brain in some way; it’s similar to a full-body workout for the mind. Music has been shown to reduce seizure frequency and electroencephalographic (brain’s electrical activity) spikes in both awake and sleeping states.
Music causes the brain to produce various molecules that influence our emotions. When you listen to music, neurotransmitters like dopamine increase. Dopamine is our brain’s “feel-good” hormone and an important component of the pleasure-reward system; it’s the same molecule that causes us to feel good after eating sugary foods or scrolling through social media. The dopamine level can be raised even further by playing the music in shuffle mode. Music can make us feel powerful and in command of our lives. Endorphins are released when we listen to sorrowful music, which helps us cope with suffering. According to studies, listening to music increases productivity in specific occupations, such as software developers, who are happier and work more efficiently in high-pressure situations when they listen to music.
Listening is enjoyable, but playing is even more so. Brain scans reveal that a musician’s brain differs from that of non-musicians. The areas of the brain responsible for motor control, auditory processing, and spatial coordination are larger in musicians; their brains are better connected, more sensitive, and larger. Playing an instrument improves auditory skills, cognitive flexibility, and working memory. When they listen to music, their brains are noticeably more symmetrical, and they respond more symmetrically.
The art of listening to and making music has been demystified. It is one of the most effective ways for us to activate the majority of our brains. By choosing the correct music, we can bring out the best in ourselves and reap the benefits of music in our physical and psychological lives.
Written by Surajit Dutta
Image Credits : Pinterest
Chords & Co. 