In Indian culture, music is known as “the food of the soul” and is given a very prominent place in our traditions and way of life. Music also features heavily in several religious and spiritual traditions across the world.

Music does wonders for the mind, body and soul. Therefore, it is no surprise that it is increasingly being harnessed as a powerful non-medicinal tool that can promote mental and physical wellbeing. Music is believed to enhance focus and learning, improve memory and cognitive abilities, boost the immune system and helps to maintain good mental health.

Music and Wellbeing

Music is known to have a huge effect on our physical and mental wellbeing. Some research suggest that music can be used to treat depression and anxiety, and music therapy is often used by healthcare professionals to help people improve and maintain their mental health and wellbeing.

Let’s take a look at ways in which music fosters good health:

Music uplifts our mood and reduces stress

It is widely known that music has a tremendous effect on our moods, this is because the amygdala – the part of the brain where moods and emotions are processed, is also responsible for processing music, particularly happy music.

Studies show that music helps to reduce stress and makes people feel happier. This is because listening to music causes the release of dopamine which is known as the “happy hormone” and is associated with pleasurable emotions, as well as with memory and learning. On the other hand, listening to “angry music” can also be cathartic in helping us to express negative emotions.

Music therapy is also widely used in treatments of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD).

Music helps us sleep better

Health and wellbeing start with getting good sleep. Research suggest that listening to soothing, classical music before bedtime can help us to relax and improve quality of sleep as music aids in the release of the sleep hormone serotonin. Music also features in many therapeutic approaches for insomnia.

Music can help us get fit

Many of us like to work out to fast-paced, upbeat music. Research has shown that fast-paced music motivates us to work out harder and boosts our endurance through tough exercise routines. Listening to music also encourages us to move and dance, which is another great way to keep fit.

It is also been seen that music helps people to eat less. Playing soft music in the background encourages people to eat slower, therefore, resulting in them eating less food in one sitting.

Music helps to ease and manage pain

Music has been very helpful in pain management therapy. Studies have shown that listening to music can help to reduce the perception of intensity of pain and it provides the brain with a strong competing stimulus to pain signals.Some research also suggests that listening to music before surgery leads to better post-surgical outcomes. Music is used for therapeutic purposes particularly in intensive care, geriatric care and palliative medicine.

Music is good for the heart

Apart from its abilities to help reduce stress and anxiety, some kinds of music also lower blood pressure, heart rate and cortisol (stress hormone) levels. Music, along with aiding the release of dopamine, also boosts the release of endorphins (feel-good hormones) and helps relax arteries to improve blood vessel function.

There are so many benefits to listening to music, so why not make it part of your regular self-care regimen? Finding a way to infuse your favourite music into your daily routine can do wonders to your body mind and soul!