Music has always been widely associated with improving mental health. Throughout history, it has been used as a recreational activity associated with improving the mood and mental state of both the artists as well as the audience.
Playing musical instruments has been proven to be one of the only activities in the world that engage all areas of the brain.
Neurological Impact
Whenever we do a task like solving a math problem or reading, specific areas of the brain tend to be more active but when it comes to listening to music it’s been observed that multiple areas of the brain light up at once as we try to comprehend everything from lyrics to melody.
But the real magic starts when we observe the brains of musicians instead of just music listeners. Nearly all areas of the brain are active at once when we try to play an instrument as our brains focus on the rhythm and melody but also fine motor movements among other things all at once. Playing musical instruments is comparable to a full-body workout for the brain and repeated practice of this strengthens brain functions and allows us to apply it to other activities.
Long-term effects include improved performance in cognitive abilities such as spatial thinking and memory recall.
Psychological Impact
Music has various effects on our mind, many of which we have learned to use to our advantage. Studies have shown that simply listening to music can significantly and quickly elevate mood and reduce stress. Listening to (and playing) music has been proven to help people relax both mind and body.
In various hypno and other therapies music is used to help clients relax their body and eventually their minds. Specific sleep music is sometimes suggested as an alternative to medication to individuals suffering from insomnia and general sleeplessness and restless sleep patterns.
Real life relevance
Listening to the right kind of music can boost memory storage as well as recall, it can help increase workout endurance, reduce symptoms of depression and in this busy and chaotic world it can give you a safe space to relax and just enjoy yourself.
So try to find some time for yourself every day, take a break and listen to some music, you deserve it.
Importance of Professional Counseling: A friend or family member may listen to you, but they aren’t professionally, technically qualified or experienced to offer you professional advice. If you wish you can contact us at MindTribe to receive help from our team of expert psychologists.
About MindTribe.in.
MindTribe Founder Dr. Prerna Kohli, India’s eminent psychologist, established the company to leverage the strength of the online to make counseling affordable and accessible to everyone. MindTribe provides counseling, workshops, support groups, forums, and eLearning.
About the Author.
Vidur is a team member at MindTribe.in.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of MindTribe.in, the Founders, or management team.
Acknowledgement: All images used are open source and from Unsplash.