Music can provide comfort and support in times of stress, sadness, or anxiety. You can get through tough times by simply listening to your favorite music. Plus, listening to music that uplifts you is an effective way of combating stress. Music has the power to transform our moods and our lives.
Have you ever felt your soul escaping the trap of your mind while listening to music? Yes, we all have been there! Music works like a ‘food’ to your soul and sometimes medicine to heal and comfort your heart. It can boost your mood when you are down, give you energy when you feel low, and inspire you to bring out your creativity.
Science has already proven that music has an intense yet positive impact on physical and mental health. It can help increase focus, clear our minds, and improve our overall well-being. In fact, music therapy is now a thing, and therapists from all over the world use it to help their patients deal with mental health conditions.
But did you know that music provides us comfort in more ways than one? Here are some more ways how music can be the ultimate comfort food for your soul:
1. Music Boosts Your Mood
Research suggests that there is a strong connection between mood and music. Music releases dopamine in our bodies – the ‘feel happy’ hormones that elevate our mood in seconds, leaving us joyful, happy, and excited. So, whenever you feel low and blue the next time, put your headphones on and listen to an upbeat music playlist. It would be better if you danced along to the music too!
2. Music Relaxes Your Mind & Body
Listening to music can have a soothing effect on your body and mind. It can help you relax, relieve stress, and unwind. However, you will need calming, relaxing, and soothing music rather than an energetic and cheerful playlist.
A peaceful and calming playlist will relax your mind and lower your blood pressure and heartbeat. That’s because it reduces stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol in your body.
3. Music Helps Us Sleep Better
Getting a peaceful sleep is hard for some people, especially those with irregular sleeping patterns or insomnia because of stress or other reasons. The good news is that listening to calming and soft music can help you sleep better.
Just listen to some soft melodies before going to bed and trust us, you will sleep like a baby in no time. It is a good idea to listen to jazz instrumental for a sound and restful sleep!
4. Music Helps Us Deal With Heartache & Grief
Going through a rough breakup or losing a loved one can fill your heart and soul with extreme sadness. But did you know that music can enliven your soul and fill all the emptiness in your heart? Yes, that’s true! Listen to songs with lyrics that relate to your feelings and emotions, and you’ll be able to get over your grief. Or maybe you’d want to listen to upbeat music to boost positivity and feel optimistic about your life.
5. Music Increases Focus & Concentration
Listening to loud background music while working and doing chores can increase focus and concentration. For example, listening to some upbeat and stimulating music while practicing Mathematics can help build your interest, boost mental performance, and improve your problem-solving skills. Similarly, playing background music while cleaning the house will make the chore more enjoyable and interesting.
6. Music Improves Creativity
Music is proven to leave a positive impact on your brain function. When your brain is functioning properly, your creativity and productivity will eventually increase. Many artists, primarily painters, designers, and calligraphy professionals, have confessed that they listen to music while working on their projects. It relaxes their mind, uplifts their mood, and gives them a boost of creativity.
7. Music Boosts Energy
Have you ever wondered why EMD, Pop, and Rock music always play in the background when you step into a gym? Or why your trainers always suggest you play music while working out? It’s because music boosts motivation and energy!
Many athletes listen to rap music during workouts to increase their performance and energy levels. Fast-paced music will give you an energy rush, accelerates your heartbeat, and fuel you up to maximize your performance.
8. Music Helps Us Deal With Stress & Anxiety
As mentioned above, music can help calm your nerves and lower cortisol levels in your body. This, in turn, reduces stress and enables you to deal with anxiety and other mental health conditions. So the next time you feel your anxiety is kicking in, listen to some upbeat or soothing music – both of these genres will help you fight the condition.
9. Music Connects People
Have you ever noticed how music connects so many people in clubs, parties, concerts, and festivals? People with different cultures, traditions, and ethnicities unify and form new friendships during these occasions. Plus, music can also help strengthen existing bonds between friends, family members, and partners.
10. Music Introduces New Languages
Have you ever found yourself listening to and loving the tunes of Korean, French, Turkish music, or any other language? This is because no matter the language, a good and uplifting piece of music will always make you happy and calm. This way, music will familiarize you with other languages.
Music is not only comfort food for your soul but a medicine to heal your heart and mind, too. You have music in all forms around you; just give it a chance to make your life better, happy, and peaceful!
Written by: KAMRAN AHMED