Yesterday on my personal blog, I wrote about an earworm that popped into my head as I was shopping for a green dress to wear to an event on St. Patrick’s Day. Writing that post reminded me of all the ways music has enriched my life. And scientists agree that music is good for us—offering a long list of mental and physical health benefits.
I’m always amazed how hearing certain songs can transport me to a different time and place. A familiar tune can conjure up many emotions—good and bad—and memories of times gone by.
For example, every time I hear Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, I’m again 11-year-old Michelle rocking out with my friends on the school bus. And Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven always takes me back to my high school gym, as it was the last song at every dance I went to in high school. This week’s earworm was If I Had a Million Dollars by the Barenaked Ladies. It’s a song that had many of us humming along in the 1990s but, for me, it took me back to my last School of Rock show in 2019.
How Music Boosts Our Health
Music Therapy is a recognized healthcare profession that’s can address a variety of healthcare goals. It’s used to reduce anxiety, treat addictions, decrease pain perception during cancer treatment, and more. Powerful stuff!
At a simpler level, though, music offers a variety of physical and mental health benefits to all of us. Let’s take a look at some of them.
First, music offers benefits to our mental health. Psychology Today reports listening to music can help us cope with stress. Even sad music lets us disengage from stressful situations. And upbeat music can help us feel more optimistic.
Beyond mental health, there are social benefits to making and listening to music with others. Singing and making music with others was one of the things I missed the most during the pandemic. Berkley’s Greater Good magazine declares playing music or singing together may bring about social closeness through the release of endorphins. And is there any better way to unite people than singing along with other fans at a concert or music convention?
I head somewhere that listening to a playlist from the year you turned 18 can keep you young. I haven’t been able to find any science to back up that claim but my 18 Forever playlist on Spotify is definitely one of my favourites. Beyond the quest for the fountain of youth though, The University of Chicago’s Big Brains podcast reports music can stimulate new connections in our brain, which helps to keep cognitive abilities sharp and memories alive.
Finally, let’s not forget music’s cardiovascular benefits. When I was singing with my band, I was always amazed when I looked at my fitness tracker after a jam session. Singing got my step count up and boosted my heart rate as high as my regular workouts. Even if you’re not a singer, putting on your favourite playlist and dancing around the living room can get your heart pumping as much as any aerobic workout—and it’s a whole lot more fun.
It’s clear that music is good for us for many reasons. So what are you waiting for? Find some time this week to put on your favourite playlist, and then sing and dance up a storm. It will do you good!
Which songs transport you back to another time and place? Drop me a comment below and let me know.
Learn more about me in my bio and on my personal blog at BoomerEcoCrusader.com. You can also find me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.