How does the music you listen to affects your well-being

Growing up, I was quite reserved and usually kept to myself. So much so that I often found it difficult to express myself. That was until I discovered the magic of jazz. Its soothing melodies and meaningful lyrics resonated with me and my emotions. And over time, I came to rely on jazz as it helped me feel more confident about myself. This underscores the importance of music in our lives. Whether we’re dancing to energetic beats or drifting off to soothing tunes, we are constantly surrounded by music. Apart from the primary joys of listening to our favourite tracks, music can also shape and affect our personal growth. Here's how music affects your physical well-being. 

It can evoke a range of emotions 

Listening to happy music can release dopamine, the feel-good hormone, which boosts the energy and motivation required to face everyday challenges. Additionally, the positive feelings evoked by our favourite music can help us better manage stress and anxieties, improving our mental well-being. Similarly, after an emotionally challenging experience like heartbreak or loss, soft and calm music can help validate our feelings.

Music as therapy

The human brain perceives sounds in different emotional, behavioural, and cognitive ways, each contributing to altering our moods, actions, and physiological responses. Music therapy, through activities like songwriting or singing, activates different parts of our brain responsible for cognitive abilities. These triggers improve cognitive functions that lead to better decision-making and long-term mental stability. This practice is as common as meditation, which enhances personal health, and in the broader spectrum also treats major mental illnesses.

How different kinds of music affect our growth 

Listening to music goes beyond shaking heads and tapping our feet to our favourite soundtrack. Different music genres can help us achieve transformative growth while still enjoying every lyric in the song. For instance, classical music is known to help with anxiety as it activates motor nerves to carry out physical activities and improve sleeping patterns. 

A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology explains how personality traits are interestingly linked to musical styles. For example, introverts resonate with jazz music that aligns with their solitary tendencies providing a rich ground for personal introspection. Additionally, studies also show how hip-hop and rap music became the empowering and cultural voices of Black and African Americans, which became centre stage for self-expression and confidence that ultimately led to growth in their way of living.

Benefits on mental and physical health

Mental and physical health both being important for our overall growth, we have multiple benefits that come out of engaging with different sounds. The good chemicals released from musical activities can help us with better confidence and self-esteem. Moreover, music also increases heart rate which improves the blood flow rushing inside the body leading to better performances in workspaces. Connecting music with these mentioned health benefits automatically provides a perfect package for a step higher in your personal growth. 

For each situation, you can use different kinds of music genres that will not only help you uplift or unwind but also increase cognitive and physical responses leading to better prosperity in health and growth. 

All images: Pexels

Inputs by Sophia Peermohideen, Psychologist (Clinical) and Psychotherapist, Director, Mind Wellness Center

Also read: Arjun Kanungo on his evolution as an artist and building a community through his music

Also read: 7 artists you should see live at least once in your life