Music as Medicine: How Music Can Benefit Wellbeing and Brain Functioning
Cynthia McDowell | Published in Wellness Talks
A recent blog in Wellness Talks cover the benefits of music on brain functioning.
By Cynthia McDowell, Doctoral Student, Lifespan Health and Development.
Brain Aging and Neurocognitive Health Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Victoria and Co-Founder of WellIntel Talks (https://www.wellinteltalks.com/)
Many people are unaware of the substantial benefits that listening to your favourite song, playing an instrument, or singing in the shower can have on our overall health and wellness.
More and more research is highlighting music’s ability to reduce stress and anxiety and improve mood and emotional wellbeing.
Did you know that listening to music can lower cortisol levels (a hormone associated with stress), promote relaxation, and generate feelings of happiness, motivation, and energy? Additionally, studies show that playing an instrument can also help you develop fine-motor skills and improve hand-eye coordination.
Stress Reduction:
Mood Regulation:
Different types of music can be used to regulate and stabilize mood; for example, slower more relaxing music can produce feelings of calm and tranquility, while faster more up-beat music can produce feelings of excitement and joy.
Emotional Expression:
Music may allow individuals to communicate and process their emotions in a non-verbal way, which is particularly beneficial for those who struggle with describing or talking about their emotions.
Social Connection:
Engaging in music with others, or connecting over music, can promote a sense of community and belonging as well as strengthen bonds between individuals, which is beneficial for overall mental health and wellness.