Thanks to the influence that music has on our body, we can use it as a powerful tool to fight mental illnesses and even bring relief in case of certain physical ailments. No matter what kind of music we choose, anyone can help us.
It relaxes us, relieves us of sadness, makes us dance, sing, scream. Music tells our story and allows us to forget about the past. The effect that music has on our mood makes it an inseparable element of our life. More inseparable than we would think. It has the power to change how we feel almost instantly. It turns gray into rainbow-like.
Music and our mood
The positive effects on us of listening to music have been known for many years. Even in the age of great philosophers, music and singing were used to improve the mood and relieve tension.
During wars, certain chants, hymns and songs were used as a tool to stimulate anger, increase energy and improve soldiers’ motivation. During sports events, music has a stimulating effect.
Even in shops, music is turned on to encourage customers to shop. In restaurants, on the other hand, music helps to consume more. During a dental consultation, music can be used to reduce stress for patients, and in an elevator, it’s a great remedy for boredom.
For these and many other reasons, we can safely say that music not only influences how we feel, but also improves our confidence and helps to fight fear. Although each of us has different musical tastes and likes to include something different, the fact is that there are some universal genres of music that can have a really interesting effect on us.
By listening to certain songs we are able to reduce the anxiety, stress and worries we feel. This is because of the relaxing and calming properties of music. We are not only talking about classical music or meditative music, it can be anything – a ballad, reggae, anything.
The fact that certain sounds are able to reduce our negative emotions is really amazing. Although some rhythms are specially prepared for us to feel calm, any sounds can serve as a therapy.
The fact that music can influence our mood can be used in virtually any situation and at any time. Perhaps to feel better we need to listen to something energetic, others prefer slower rhythms.
Music, attention and sleep
When we went to school, the teachers sang us some songs to help us remember things like colors, animals, countries, etc. Why? Because if we tie a song to data, it is much easier to remember it. Moreover, it is a very pleasant way to learn.
On the other hand, there are sounds that can help patients with certain diseases such as cancer, advanced sclerosis and anxiety. Music can also speed up the recovery process after operations, accidents and serious injuries.
It is much more difficult to cure a physical disorder when a person feels overwhelmed and has symptoms of depression. Music in such situations can be a balm for the soul. Listening to certain songs before going to bed can help us fall into a deeper, more regenerative sleep.
Music and its effect on our brain
The sounds we expose ourselves to on a daily basis have a great influence on our brain and its work. When we turn on music that we like or find pleasant, our body releases a hormone of happiness called dopamine. The same hormone is secreted by our body when we do something pleasant.
By listening to music you like, you activate various areas of your brain. Some music activates the areas responsible for emotional reactions, others the visual or motor parts. An area of the brain that is activated by music