Can You Feel It in Your Bones?
Everybody loves music, but not everybody understands its impact on our psyche. From reduced anxiety to chronic pain relief, music affects everything from our brains to our bodies. Let’s explore a few ways you can get more tunes into your life and why it’s so important for our mental health.
1. Make Time for Tunes
Like anything in life, sometimes we need to make the time for it. Music doesn’t require an hour of uninterrupted attention either; you can easily work it into your daily routine and reap all the benefits. It’s all about making a conscious effort to welcome those tunes.
2. Explore New Music
Does your current playlist feel a little drab? It’s time to explore new music! Popular apps like Apple Music and Spotify have dozens of playlists that introduce you to new genres, artists, and albums.
3. Practice an Instrument
A great way to score more music is to practice it yourself. You don’t need to become the next Mozart to enjoy the challenges—and the rewards—of learning a new instrument either. Turn to practice or even composition for a fun, creative project.
4. Belt Your Favorite Song
Maybe you don’t have Frank Sinatra’s voice, but that’s alright. It’s your house, it’s your car, so sing like no one’s listening! Singing not only reduces stress, but it also improves your memory and can skyrocket your mood.
5. Attend a Concert
Okay, they’re a little loud, and maybe the beer is overpriced, but concerts are an experience like any other. Popping into the nosebleeds for your favorite artist gets that music right into your bones, and it’s not a bad way to spend the evening either.
6. Dance
If you can sing like no one’s listening, you can definitely dance like no one’s watching. Dancing pairs two terrific activities together: movement and music. It stimulates your brain, it boosts self-confidence, and it can even keep you physically fit—which comes with its own benefits!
7. Create Personalized Playlists
No one knows your tastes better than you, so it’s time to bust out your laptop and piece together the perfect playlist. Personalized playlists ensure you hear what you want every time, and shuffling keeps things nice and exciting.
8. Include Music in Your Schedule
Listen to some tunes when you run your errands or do household chores. Pop on a playlist during your morning commute. Pump up the jams during your workout. Get creative with your options and watch how quickly your mood changes!
9. Turn on the Radio
Not everyone has time to put together their own playlist. Thankfully, your favorite radio station offers awesome tunes and playful banter throughout the day. You can also research which stations play which genres; it’s all about variety.
10. Join a Group
Who said you couldn’t get two birds with one stone? Choirs or band groups welcome music and social interaction all in one, both of which do wonders for your health. You don’t need to be perfect—these social gatherings are all about meeting like-minded people and engaging with peaceful music.
Now that we have more music in our lives, let’s dive into a few reasons why it’s so important for our mental health.
1. Improved Sleep Quality
Music is a great way to turn off the Energizer Bunny in our heads. It provides background noise, relieves stress, and can be a helpful distraction from negative thoughts. Put some calming tunes on before bed and you might be surprised just how quickly you fall asleep.
2. Less Anxiety
Our brains go hand-in-hand with music. The reason why is that music triggers something called the limbic system in our brains, which is responsible for memory and emotional processing. The right tunes can ease stress, help us process tough emotions, and even reduce heart rate.
3. It Can Ease Pain
Believe it or not, studies show that music reduces physical pain in some circumstances. With the reduction of anxiety and proper distraction, some research suggests that those with chronic pain may feel alleviated symptoms with the right music.
4. Stress Reduction
Anxious episodes can feel like a never-ending battle against our own brain. But don't worry, it’s music to the rescue! Proper tunes drown out the noise by relaxing our muscles, slowing our heart rate, and promoting overall well-being. The next time the world feels a little crazy, pop on your headphones for a much needed break.
5. Improves Mood
Have you ever felt you could conquer the world after a really great track? That’s the power of music! Whether it’s getting through a tough set of reps or trying to wind down before bed, music plays a big part in our mood.
6. Encourages Stronger Workouts
Speaking of workouts, a good playlist can help you finish that final stretch, so don't leave your headphones at home. With so much of our mood and brain power altered by music, good jams can encourage us to pump a little harder and feel extra good about ourselves.
7. Boosts Productivity
While some people are distracted by music, others are empowered to get stuff done. It’s okay if you can’t listen to the radio during work hours; play some music during mundane tasks for enhanced productivity. No one likes to clean their room in silence!
8. Inspires Creativity
Did a good song ever inspire you to write a short story? What about composing your own music? Congrats—you’ve just experienced one of the best things about music! Those melodies can light a spark in our brains that gets creative juices flowing.
9. Reduces Depression
Music may help with anxiety, but it also does a lot for depression. While it’s certainly not a cure-all method, music can relax us and help regulate our moods, so it’s worth speaking to a professional to see if it’s the right path for you!
10. Improves Memory
Taylor Swift’s latest release probably won’t improve your memory, but slower tracks without lyrics certainly can. Research shows that the right background music enhances brain function to improve our memory and concentration.
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