A study done by Michael Miller, M.D., director of preventive cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, shows that there are numerous benefits of music. It includes reducing stress and anxiety, improving cognitive function, and enhancing creativity and productivity. So, we can say that there are many more health benefits of listening to music than you think.
Harvard Health research shows that music intervention boosts mental health. Additionally, it brings about small yet noteworthy improvements in physical well-being. Eager to know how? Well, this blog is your roadmap to uncovering the answer. Here, you’ll read how music influences everything from blood pressure to brain function. Not only that but also its positive effects on your cardiovascular system.
So, if you’re an avid music listener looking for music’s impact on health, you’re in the right place. Keep reading to discover the potential benefits of music for your wellness!
Music can help in lowering blood pressure naturally
A recent study was conducted that highlights the health benefits of listening to music. According to the research, classical or Celtic music can assist in lowering blood pressure as much as cutting salt out of your diet or losing a few pounds can.
Harvard Health suggests that music and blood pressure have some sort of association. Simply put, soothing tunes can have a calming effect on your body. This way, it reduces stress and anxiety levels.
“Music can heal the wounds that medicine cannot touch.” – Debasish Mrihda, Poet and Physician
When you listen to music, your heart rate slows down. It then promotes relaxation and eases tension in your blood vessels.
Similarly, a case study reported that singing can lower your blood pressure prior to surgery. Singing engages your diaphragm and encourages deep breathing. This process can help regulate your blood pressure. Moreover, it also releases endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good hormones. Overall, it contributes to your well-being and relaxation.
In addition to listening to music, playing an instrument can also help in managing high blood pressure. Studies suggest that flute melodies, when combined with foot massage, help lower blood pressure in elders. It promotes relaxation and reduces stress. Additionally, focusing on the music can distract you from worries or tensions. This further aids in lowering blood pressure.
Key Takeaway: Listening to music, singing, or playing instruments can naturally lower blood pressure by promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and encouraging deep breathing.
Music has positive effects on the brain
A strong beat can sync your brainwaves, which can increase alertness and sharpen concentration. The change in brainwave activity allows the brain to shift speeds when necessary. Moreover, music with a slower tempo brings upon a calm state of mind and improves the ability to focus.
There are many positive effects of music on the brain. Many instances of music and mental health research show that music can stimulate the brain. It enhances cognitive functions like memory, attention, and problem-solving skills.
It is worth noting that our brains respond to music differently. Personal preferences, cultural background, and past experiences influence how our brains respond to music. Rhythm, melody, and harmony can evoke emotional responses and the brain perceives it as pleasurable.
You might find another thought crossing your mind: Is music good for the brain during reading? So, yes, it is! The benefits of music on the brain can be seen here as well. For instance, it can help improve focus and concentration.
Music is the only thing we can engage with that activates every part of our brain – Dr. Annie Heiderscheit
Key Takeaway: Music benefits the brain by enhancing cognition. It also reduces stress and boosts mood. Additionally, it aids concentration and fosters social skills.
Music improves heart health
Did you know that music can lower the risk of heart disease by 5-15%?
Listening to music and heart health correlate in various ways. It helps reduce stress and improve circulation. This, in turn, contributes to a healthier cardiovascular system.
When you listen to music that you enjoy, it stimulates the release of endorphins. These are feel-good hormones. These endorphins help relax blood vessels and reduce blood pressure, lowering heart rate. European Heart General studies also confirm that music lowers heart rate. For this reason, music is beneficial for people with heart conditions.
There are several positive effects of music on heart rate. For instance, the rhythmic patterns in music can synchronize with your heartbeat. This induces a calming effect and promotes better circulation. Studies have also found that listening to music can improve exercise performance. Exercise, then, can benefit heart health.
Key Takeaway: Music improves heart health by reducing stress and lowering blood pressure. It also helps synchronize heart rhythms, leading to better circulation and exercise performance.
Music and mental health
Music can slow down our breathing and heart rate as well. This causes your body to relax, which prevents you from chronic stress. One of the many benefits of music is that it can result in a positive state of mind. This helps in overcoming depression. This way, music holds a transformative power in maintaining mental health.
People who suffer from depression feel like they can control pain with music. . It is safe to say that music can distract you from pain which encourages relaxation.
Another health benefit of music is that listening to soothing music daily can help you relax. .
Key Takeaway: Music helps fight mental health issues by inducing relaxation. It promotes a positive state of mind and acts as a natural pain reliever through the release of endorphins.
Music can lessen pain
Your favorite music can help relieve pain effectively. It offers a natural remedy for discomfort, especially at night. Studies suggest that listening to soothing music can reduce pain intensity and perception. This makes it easier for you to fall asleep despite discomfort.
Moreover, music therapy for pain management has shown promising results. It aids in the reduction of pain medication dependence and promotes faster healing. Certain types of music, often labeled as healing music, can also induce relaxation.
The best music for pain management typically includes slow tempos and calming rhythms. Such music can help soothe both the body and mind. This type of music provides you with temporary relief. It further makes individuals smarter by enhancing mood and reducing stress. Thus, it facilitates a conducive environment for healing.
In essence, music and pain relief are intricately connected. Music is a powerful tool for managing and alleviating various forms of discomfort.
Key Takeaway- Music serves as a natural remedy for pain relief. It promotes relaxation and aids sleep. Certain types of calming music can reduce pain perception and dependence on pain medication. Overall, it facilitates healing and enhances overall well-being.
Final Words
I hope that it is now easy for you to see that music is not just here to keep us entertained while driving to work; it is so much more than that. With so many benefits of music for our health and mind, it’s no wonder that there’s music everywhere we go.
References
2022. Can music improve our health and quality of life. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/can-music-improve-our-health-and-quality-of-life-202207252786
2019. Using music to tune the heart. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/using-music-to-tune-the-heart#:~:text=In%20a%20study%20from%20Hong,listen%20to%20music%20had%20no
2011. Case Study Reports Singing Lowers Patient’s Blood Pressure Prior To Surgery. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/220738#1
2019. Relaxing Melody from Flute Combined with a Foot Massage Can Reduce Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure in Elders. Research Gate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335037275_Relaxing_Melody_from_Flute_Combined_with_a_Foot_Massage_Can_Reduce_Systolic_and_Diastolic_Blood_Pressure_in_Elders
2006. Music and the Brain. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/music-and-the-brain-2006-09/
2023. How music can benefit your child’s mental health. CHOC Home. https://health.choc.org/how-music-can-benefit-your-childs-mental-health/
2021. Effects of music on the cardiovascular system. National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8727633/
2015. Music and the heart. Oxford Academic. https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/36/44/3043/2293535
2023. The Transformative Power of Music in Mental Well-Being. American Psychiatric Association. https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/apa-blogs/power-of-music-in-mental-well-being
2023. Study: Listening to your favorite song could help relieve pain. Northside Hospital. https://www.ajc.com/life/health/study-listening-to-your-favorite-song-could-help-relieve-pain/SJPIO6HWNBHSFBVS6ASXGYP4QU/
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