How music can change your life
There is no doubt that music has significant affects on our emotions and mood. When we listen to sad songs, we tend to feel more sad or down. When we listen to happy songs, we tend to feel more relaxed and happier. Music allows me to feel less alone and less bored. I always enjoy picking playlists to listen to based off my current mood, or the mood I hope to shortly be in.
Here are 15 amazing mental health benefits of listening to music:
Music is an instant stress reliever
Music allows you to feel and get in touch with deeper emotions that might be subconscious
Music can provide comfort in tough and dark times
Music increases your energy and happiness
Music can relax the mind, energize the body, and even help people better manage pain
Music can help improve cognitive performance
Music can improve your memory and help you remember certain things
Music allows you to relive a positive time in your life that you connect the music to/with
Music elevates your mood
Music can help you connect with the emotion you're feeling and allows you to really connect with it
Music allows you to connect with others who also enjoy the same music/ similar taste
Music can make you feel understood, like you're not alone.
Music allows you to be present in the moment
Lyrics can validate certain emotions you might be feelings
Music can provide a distraction from life
The Science Behind It
Music has incredible effects on the body, “Scientists have found that music stimulates more parts of the brain than any other human function.” Research shows that music has powerful effects on the brain as it can help in pain reduction, creating memory, stress relief, and improving mental health. Scientists from Johns Hopkins University have also shared that “If you want to keep your brain engaged throughout the aging process, listening to or playing music is a great tool. It provides a total brain workout.” Research has shown that listening to music can reduce anxiety, blood pressure, and pain as well as improve sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, and memory. Music is giving your brain a great workout while also releasing dopamine. It’s a win-win situation.
Why I Love Music
Music completely changed the way I interact with and observe the world. I can't get in my car or travel without queuing one of my playlists. I feel like music finds a way intensify the emotions connected to our experiences. It makes me feel better when I'm sad, and hyped up when my energy is low or I’m tired.
There’s nothing like rapping an entire verse of a song or jamming to your favorite song in the car with your friends. Music floods the brain with a “happy hormone” called dopamine. Music allows you to feel extreme bliss, but will also comfort you while you need a good cry.
There is music to match and validate every single emotion you are feeling. I love creating playlists because 1) I get to group my favorite songs together for each mood, and 2) its a distraction and something for me to do. There is nothing like getting into the car to listen to the new playlist you’d just created moments before.
Creating Your Own Playlist
Here are 3 quick tips to help you get started:
Think of different genres you like and start to group them together however you please.
Create a unique name for your playlist based off the mood, genre, vibes, event, etc. If you’re having trouble coming up with a name, you can look on Pinterest or think of something important to you that is associated to the songs.
Browse through old playlists, check out new releases weekly, check you friends playlists, etc. Look everywhere to find all of the songs you love & to look for inspiration. Remember, playlists are a work in progress, you will add songs as you grow:)
Click below to check out our “Playlists for every mood” page
