Victoria was always inclined towards music since she was a young girl. She hummed and sang her favorite songs, and her parents couldn’t help but notice how happy it made her. As she got older, she began to have problems with anxiety and depression, and tried therapy and medication, but nothing helped. One day, Victoria stumbled upon a music therapy session.
When she walked into the room and heard the guitar playing, she immediately felt at peace. Closing her eyes, she realized that listening to music was a powerful tool for managing her anxiety and depression.
Scientists have found that music positively affects brain function and behavior. Research proves that music reduces stress, pain, and also improves brain capacity. Music can… Boost your immune system. Boost confidence. Improve communication.
Studies suggest that music is so powerful for our brain, that there is a scientific study on the effects of music on the brain called “Neuromusicology.”
Some songs stimulate the ability to think and solve problems, and even sad songs cleanse the brain. Listening to music allows us to sway to the beat and tap our feet, motivates us to play sports, and boosts our spirits on bad days.
If you want to do something good for the brain, turn on the music player and sing along to some tunes. Better yet, sing and dance simultaneously. It sounds like a simple exercise, but it’s quite a workout for the brain. This happens because music stimulates many brain areas, such as those responsible for memory, movement, and mood.
Music from the beginning. From the 22nd week of pregnancy, unborn babies recognize musical pieces and react with uterine movements or kicks. Researchers say soft sounds, such as classical music, calm the fetal heartbeat and relax activities.
From fast to quiet. If we listen to tight and aggressive music during sports, the adrenaline released leads to peak performance. The stress hormone cortisol is reduced with calm music, controlling tension and emotions.
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The Mozart myth. In the 1990s, researchers discovered that people performed better on intelligence tests after listening to Mozart’s music. This establishes that concentration and well-being are enhanced by listening to preferred music. So, music does not make us smarter, but improves our performance.
If music does not make us smarter, some musical effects influence our brains and trigger emotions. For example, the first melody in December immerses us in the Christmas spirit, or the soundtrack of a horror movie scares us and generates tension. Instrumental music is usually more suitable for better concentration, as linguistic stimuli tend to distract us.
For relaxation. To relax and reduce stress after a long day, try listening to slow instrumental music. It’s highly recommended for its calming qualities: classical music, Celtic or Indian music with stringed instruments, percussion, or flutes. Combining natural sounds like rain, waves crashing on the beach, and calming water fountain flows with soft jazz music can enhance relaxation and create a peaceful atmosphere.
It helps us sleep. Music contributes to healthy sleep. Did you know that scientific research suggests listening to classical music can be a highly effective way to prevent insomnia? This all-natural solution is far superior to relying on medication or pills to get the restful sleep you need.
Everyone should listen to the music they like the most, because it increases general well-being and motivation. Therefore, it is better to take the opportunity to put on headphones and recharge your batteries.
What is music therapy? It is a therapeutic discipline that uses music to improve physical, emotional, cognitive, and social health. Music therapy is a healthcare profession that uses music and its elements like sound, rhythm, melody, and harmony to achieve specific therapeutic goals.
What are the benefits of music therapy? Improve physical rehabilitation treatment, facilitate movement, control anxiety, improve mood, promote brain development, and increase learning ability, attention span, concentration, and memory. It is also used in Alzheimer’s and dementia patients to slow memory loss.
Are there studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of music therapy? One study found that music therapy decreases patient anxiety in the pre-operative period. Another study found that music therapy is effective in reducing stress. Music is a universal language that can communicate without words and directly affects the part of the brain that manages our emotions.
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