How Does Listening To Music Improve Your Mental Health?

Music is interesting. It has the ability to stir up emotions and bring people together. When you hear an upbeat song, you can’t help tapping your foot to the rhythm. A mellow song can send you off to sleep while your old favorite tune can make you feel nostalgic. Moreover, songs that speak to anyone from anywhere in the world establishes connection and unity (e.g. songs by The Beatles). Besides all that, music can do a lot more including caring for your mental health:


Listening to music is like giving your mind a massage, delicious food, and a fun workout. Here’s some of what you get in return:


Do you know why you love putting on your headphones after a stressful day at the office or during bad days? Not only because it makes you feel better, but because it also lowers your blood pressure and decreases your stress hormone levels. Slow, quiet classical pieces do this best.

A Great Remedy

Music eases pain. If it can aid patients undergoing surgery, it can provide you relief as you experience mental distress. Songs you like, especially positive ones, uplift you. Their notes distract you from your hurt while their words heal you at the same time.

Helps You Focus

Whenever you have difficulty concentrating, treat your ears to some meditative music–music that regulates your attention and relaxes you. Usually, it contains Alpha or Gamma sound waves. Alpha (about 8-10Hz) calms you down and improves your mental coordination. Gamma (25-140Hz), on the other hand, has been directly linked to enhanced cognitive function, improved memory, and even increased IQ.


From daily concerns to personal issues that trouble you, music is your reliable friend. It shares in your emotions, making you feel understood and less alone. For instance, you relate to songs composed by someone who’s gone through a similar situation.

Motivates You

Nothing beats the perfect soundtrack. Music that fits well with a particular setting-like movie scenes and Olympic opening ceremonies-always makes the impact more intense. Playing a track that’s right for the moment fires you up. Try doing it before you get out of bed in the morning or before you take an exam.

How Music Affects the Brain

Neuromusicology is a modern discipline devoted to measuring real-time processes in the human brain while perceiving sound. According to research, music activates every part of the brain. It also increases production of dopamine, which is responsible for making us feel pleasure. Hearing your favorite song play at the mall, for instance, can boost your dopamine levels. Another chemical it triggers is oxytocin, which has an important role in social bonding. Overall, music helps you become better at doing activities such as those that require perseverance, good memory, and endurance.

Regardless of what genre you like, go listen more. Make a playlist for your every mood. Often hearing tunes you love improves your mental health and  your life. Music can get you through the bad times, and it rejoices with you when you’re on a roll. Always save space in your mind for pleasant melodies. Even alone in dark places, you will survive.

Can you relate? Share your thoughts below. We’d love to hear them!

What do you think?

Written by Hannah Grace

A B.S. Psychology graduate who fights both real and imaginary shadows every day with music and words.

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