Good music is part of the landscape of our lives. It can affect many different areas of the brain. Whether we listen to music when we are in a variety of moods, one thing is certain. Music has touched cultures all over the world since the beginning of time.
The beautiful thing is
everyone’s taste in music is different so no matter what music you make you’re
likely to find someone who will appreciate it. Music is capable of a number of
health benefits including lowering stress levels, raising states of
consciousness, accessing different states of mind, developing the brain, and is
useful in meditation.
There isn’t a single human culture on earth
that hasn’t lived without music. The
native Africans and Americans both used music in the form of chanting for their
rituals and healing ceremonies. In Ancient Greece music was used to ease
stress, soothe pain and help with sleeping patterns. Many have said music heals
the soul, and below are some ways that can happen:
1.
A moderate noise level
of music can improve creativity.
2.
Classical music can
improve visual attention.
3.
Emotionally, music can be understood without
feeling it.
4. Music boosts your immune system and reduces pain.
5.
Music can create focus.
6.
Music can significantly
distract drivers while maneuvering a car (contrary to common belief).
7.
Music can support a
positive work environment.
8.
Music choices can
predict our personality.[i]
9.
Music creates community.
10.
Music eases task
fatigue.
11.
Music helps performance
of physical fitness tasks.
12. Music improves one’s heartbeat, pulse rate, and blood
pressure.
13.
Music improves moods[ii]
14. Music improves sleep quality.
15.
Music
improves verbal skills.
16.
Music increases
motivation.
17.
Music
keeps an aging brain healthy
18.
Music
makes you happier.
19. Music reduces depression and anxiety
20.
Music reduces sensory
input (for Autistic and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder students).
21.
Music training can
significantly improve motor and reasoning skills.
“People are like
music, some speak the truth and others are just noise.” (Bill Murray)[iii]
1. [i] Blues fans have high self-esteem, are creative, outgoing, gentle and at ease
2. Jazz fans have high self-esteem, are creative, outgoing and at ease
3. Classical music fans have high self-esteem, are creative, introvert and at ease
4. Rap fans have high self-esteem and are outgoing
5. Opera fans have high self-esteem, are creative and gentle
6. Country and western fans are hardworking and outgoing
7. Reggae fans have high self-esteem, are creative, not hardworking, outgoing,
gentle and at ease
8. Dance fans are creative and outgoing but not gentle
9. Indie fans have low self-esteem, are creative, not hard working, and not gentle
10.
Bollywood fans are creative and outgoing
11.
Rock/heavy
metal fans have low self-esteem, are creative, not
hard-working, not outgoing, gentle, and at ease
12.
Chart
pop fans have high self-esteem, are hardworking,
outgoing and gentle, but are not creative and not at ease
13.
Soul fans have high self-esteem, are creative,
outgoing, gentle, and at ease
[ii] I find when writing these posts that a variety of
low, soft instrumental piano music puts me into the correct mood to write.
(Music with voices is distracting to me.)
[iii] Sources used:
·
“8 Surprising Ways Music Affects and Benefits our Brains” by
Belle Beth Cooper
·
“7 Ways Music Benefits Your Heart, Brain &
Health” by Joe Martino
·
“How Music Enhances Your Brain and Boosts
Productivity” by Margarita Hakobyan
This
post was inspired by a commercial for the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.
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