Do you ever find yourself hooked on a song, playing it repeatedly until you know all the lyrics by heart? Or maybe you enjoy listening to music while working out or use it as a way to wind down after a long day. There are many benefits to listening to music – benefits that extend beyond just being an enjoyable pastime. Research has shown that music can improve mental and physical health in various ways. Here are just a few of the wonderful benefits of music:
Reduces Stress and Anxiety
One of the most common reasons people listen to music is to help reduce stress and anxiety. Studies have shown that music can lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. One study had participants listen to 30 minutes of relaxing music per day for two weeks and found that their cortisol levels were significantly lower than those in the control group who did not listen to music. In addition, another study found that participants who listened to classical music for just 45 minutes showed lower anxiety levels than those in the control group. So next time you’re stressed, try popping in your headphones and listening to some calming tunes.
Improves Exercise Endurance and Performance
Whether you’re an avid runner or enjoy lifting weights at the gym, chances are you’ve guidance of some good pump-up tunes. And it turns out there’s a reason so many people choose to listen to music while working out – it can improve exercise performance! One study found that cyclists who listened to music while riding on a stationary bike pedal harder and longer than those who rode without music. In addition, another study had runners listen to either fast-paced or slow-paced music while running on a treadmill and found that participants ran faster when they listened to fast-paced music. So if you’re looking for a little extra motivation to help improve your exercise performance, try listening to some upbeat tunes next time you hit the gym.
Promotes Brain Health and Development
In addition to helping reduce stress and anxiety levels, research has also shown that music can promote brain health and development. One study found that infants who listened to live music improved sleep quality, brain connectivity and enhanced learning ability. Another study had participants listen to 30 minutes of relaxing tunes per day for five days in a row and found that they performed better on tests measuring attention span and verbal fluency than those in the control group who did not listen to music. So if you’re looking for ways to boost brain power, listening to some tunes might be a good place to start!
As you can see, listening to music has many wonderful benefits. From reducing stress levels and promoting brain health to improving exercise performance, there are plenty of good reasons why people listen to tunes regularly. So next time you find yourself humming along to your favorite song, remember that you’re not just enjoying yourself – you’re also reaping some incredible health benefits!
