Many people like to jam out to music, whether at home or on their way back from work. Music is more than just a form of entertainment. It also has additional health benefits. Here are just 10 ways music can keep you healthy.

1. It Improves Your Mood

Music makes you feel calmer and happier. When listening to a song you enjoy, your brain releases dopamine, which enhances your feelings of pleasure. Even melancholy music can improve your mood. The relatable lyrics make you feel less alone, but also put things in perspective. Listening to sad songs is similar to venting to a friend or therapist.

Music is also used in therapy to help improve patients’ mental health. It can be especially beneficial for children who have a harder time expressing their emotions verbally. There are two main therapeutic methods: receptive and active. The receptive type is listening-based, and the active type uses instruments.

Here are some standard music therapy techniques:

• Drumming
• Listening to live or recorded tunes
• Singing
• Writing song lyrics
• Dancing

2.  It Reduces Stress

Listening to relaxing melodies lowers your stress levels. It can slow down your heart rate and decrease your blood pressure. Consider listening to classical or instrumental tones. To feel more alert, try an upbeat song. This type of music can make you more energized and optimistic.

You have a busy schedule with work and taking care of your kids, but incorporating music into your day can help reduce some of your built-up tension.

Here are some activities that are perfect to create a custom playlist for:

• Getting ready for work in the morning
• During your commute
• While cooking dinner
• As you’re cleaning
• When paying bills

3.  It Decreases Your Anxiety

Music helps elicit positive emotions, making you less anxious. It lowers the levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, in your body. When you are fully engaged in a song, it can also distract you. This distraction helps to stop your mind from wandering.

Music can also bring up fond memories and help express emotions when words just can’t. Here are some tips on how to use music to help heal your soul:

• Listen with a purpose
• Match your mood
• Start a music journal
• Find new tunes
• Talk to a music therapist

4.  It Enhances Your Exercise Routine

Music helps boost your mood and makes you feel more energized. This can help enhance your fitness routine. If you sync your movements to the song’s beat, it can encourage you to work harder and longer.

For younger children, a musical playground is a great way to combine music with physical activity. Here, they can run around and try out the different instruments. These playgrounds also allow kids to explore in an unstructured setting while increasing opportunities for socialization.

5. It Improves Your Memory

Often, stress can interfere with your ability to remember things. Music can put you in a calmer state and help relax your brain. Extended worry can release stress hormones that affect already formed synapses. These synapses help create your long-term memories.

Music can help improve your child’s test scores or allow you to power through those last-minute work projects. Listening to classical or ambient music is best because there aren’t any distracting lyrics.

6. It Eases Pain

When listening to music you enjoy, pleasure receptors in your brain are activated, making you feel relaxed and happier. These sensors are found in the amygdala, which is the part of the brain responsible for regulating your emotions. Having increased activation in this area reduces the number of pain sensors trigged.

Plus, music is an excellent distraction from the discomfort. Music therapy is often used for patients who suffer from chronic illnesses, such as cancer or arthritis.

7. It Provides Comfort

Music can elicit strong emotional responses for many people. Relatable songs about heartbreak or losing someone can help people cope with tough times. The lyrics provide a sense of comfort for those experiencing similar emotions. It can also help them to express their feelings more clearly to others.

For those with serious illness, music can be uplifting and provide them with solace during challenging moments.

8.  It Helps You Sleep Better

Since music slows down your heart rate, it’s the perfect way to get some extra rest. Classical music is an excellent choice to listen to before bed. The soothing instrumental tones can help your body begin to shut down.

9. It Helps Reduce Depression

Music improves your mood, which can help alleviate symptoms of depression. One common symptom of depression is lower energy levels. More upbeat music can re-energize you and increase your motivation. The pleasant distraction can also get you out of your head for a little while.

10. It Encourages You to Eat Less

When you are more relaxed, you are more likely to eat slower. This can make you more aware of when you are full. Consider adding soft background music to your next family meal.

Music Is Good for Your Body and Soul

Jamming out to music can make you feel happy! However, there are so many more benefits. It can lower stress and anxiety levels, provide comfort, and improve your cognition. The next time you go to complete a daily task, consider putting on some background music.

Do you like to listen to music?

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