The power of music is no doubt ubiquitous and far-reaching. It molds so many of life’s everyday experiences: An epic film would not be epic without its cinematic soundtrack, a party without dance music is unimaginable, and a run without an energetic playlist seems a lot more exhausting.
It has been demonstrated to affect everything, from our attention and relaxation to our physical and emotional well-being.
Today, we take a look at how it influences our emotions, with a new study titled Music as Medicine. This fascinating research demonstrates how it heals and how it can be ‘prescribed’ in the future to help people focus, feel happier, relax, and overcome depression.
The power of music on listeners
It has been shown to have a positive effect on human health. The British Academy of Sound Therapy (BAST) wanted to see if it was possible to “prescribe” it to address health issues, specifically humans’ emotional health.
In the study, the BAST researchers discovered that music has a standard dosage, and they revealed the time it takes for it to have a therapeutic impact on the listener.
Interestingly, out of 7,581 participants, 89 percent considered music to be an important factor for their health and well-being and in their daily lives in general.
Among those participating, 90.15 percent said that they listen to it to relax, 81.80 percent listen to it to improve their mood, 46.6 percent used it to process negative emotions such as sadness, and 32.53 percent listen to it to aid focus while studying or working.
The power of music in making listeners happy
The study revealed that the perfect music for relaxing had a slow tempo, a simple melody, with no lyrics, and an ideal listening period of 13 minutes.
The researchers observed interesting effects on the listener such as reduced muscle tension, vanishing negative thoughts, feeling tranquil and satisfied, and even being able to sleep better.
The power of music in releasing negative emotions
It isn’t just for relaxing. People who are feeling blue can try listening to music with a quick tempo and good lyrical content to help improve their mood. The study showed that it takes only 9 minutes of listening to such music to feel more emotionally stable, less overwhelmed, and relieved from negative emotions.
Of the test subjects, 89 percent said their energy levels improved, 65 percent felt happier, and others felt more positive and in control of their emotions.
The power of music in aiding concentration
Music has also been reported to help people concentrate. The BAST test subjects who used it for concentration found that 13 minutes was enough to clear their minds, improve their job performance, and help them make better decisions.
This study revealed an impressive result for medical experts looking for novel ways to treat patients with mental health disorders including anxiety and depression.
The power of music as sound therapy
Though the idea of using music to help treat sickness isn’t new, this study is shedding light on how it impacts the brain and other body systems in a quantifiable way.
Given this connection humans have with it, many studies suggest that music therapy should be used more frequently in healthcare settings.
As Barbara Else, senior advisor at the American Music Therapy Association told Medical News Today: “We have such a deep connection to music because it is ‘hardwired’ in our brains and bodies. The elements of music — rhythm, melody, etc. — are echoed in our physiology, functioning and being.”
Perhaps music can heal all wounds, for it can touch even the most invisible afflictions.
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