Music & Mental Health: 6 Psychological Benefits of Music

By Kartikeya Rokde Jun 30, 2020

“Music is my therapy and my straitjacket. Music keeps me sane and keeps my mind on something. It's fragile up there.”

~ Will.i.am

For most of us, music is already part of our daily routine. We either add a playlist to our morning commute, de-clog with tunes at work, or crank up the volume to stay pumped during workouts. From a psychological perspective, music therapy is used for treating several nervous and mental health issues. With a direct impact on our mood, mindset, and well-being (and vice versa), music keeps our mind wired!

How Music Impacts your Mental Health

Music Therapy to Align the Mind

Most forms of music have therapeutic effects. Asian medical theories have explored the concept of an 'energy highway' that gets activated with music; resonating with the internal organs to encourage healing. Interestingly, studies prove that music from one's own culture is said to have the strongest effect. This only makes sense as we all groove better to desi tunes, right?!

Music therapy works around neurological science, where musical tones and notes stimulate different responses from the nervous system. For instance, while classical music might lead to a ‘feel-good’ and relaxed mindset, rock ‘n ‘roll can potentially cause a surge of adrenaline. We’ve also faced similar experiences where we’ve used music to charge our minds, right?

But does this argument hold water? Most definitely! Mental health practitioners have seen success using music for nervous disorders. The results have indeed been drastic. Right from altering states of consciousness, to uncovering hidden emotional responses and stimulating creative insights, music has helped people with different mental ailments. Research published by the American Autism Association shows that music has helped aid autistic children develop, improve and enhance motor, language and communication skills.

Our point being, maybe there are ways we can all improve our lives, musically!

Keeping up the Zen with Music Therapy! 

We found this topic interesting enough to do a little research and see how music can help us enhance our daily routine. The results - 6 everyday activities to add some tunes too. Here is the list! 

1. Amping-up Focus

Music can improve performance on cognitive tasks, potentially leading to increased processing speed, better focus, and retention. It also helps your mind stretch it’s horizons, so as to get the creative juices flowing! So, the next time you work on an important project, consider choosing a few instrumental tracks to get you into the zone!

2. Sharpening the Mind

For those of you still studying, we’re sure that you’ve always been told to study without distraction, music included. It’s a good thing we have research to prove this wrong! Listening to music while studying improves memory. Studies show that songs elicit positive emotions enhancing memory formation.

3. Manage Weight (Yes, We are Serious)

We aren’t just talking about cranking up the volume at the gym, although that’s highly recommended. After all, music is motivating, it can raise your spirits. We also do make some stellar wireless headphones that support intense workouts regimes. Just saying!

Moving on, our research revealed that the psychological benefits of music therapy can potentially help you eat better, and eat right. Soft music calms the mind, slowing the pace at which we consume food. When you eat slowly, you tend to eat much less, as you feel fuller sooner.

4. Catching up with the Zzzs!

Insomnia is particularly common, and the digital age has just enhanced it. Research demonstrates that music therapy that involves relaxing music might just trigger sleep. A combination of low notes and volume can calm the mind and up the chances of you falling asleep. So, it’s worth a shot, right? We’d any day choose a pair of headphones over pills!

5. Finding the Inner Calm

Music can also soothe the mind and induce relaxation, making it effective to help you cope with stress. Slow beats like jazz, instrumental, soul & classical tracks can help you calm the nerves and get into a positive mind frame.

6. Improve your Mood

Music also has a positive effect on your overall mood and thereby the quality of life. Over a period of time, it can raise your self-esteem and rein in positive thoughts. As we said, it’s therapeutic. Research suggests that music therapy has also seen positive results in reducing depression & anxiety.

Closing Thoughts

Dimming down the complexities, our simple point is that music can have a positive effect on your mood, can enhance productivity, and tackle anxiety and stress. Thanks to our fast-paced lifestyle, a little de-stressing wouldn’t really hurt!

So, it's time to charge your wireless headphones and get grooving. Good thing we have a couple of options for you!

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