Why Is Music Good for Your Health?

Stimulates Brain Waves 

Scientific research has reported that music with a definitive beat and rhythm is able to stimulate brain waves to synchronize with the beat.

• Faster beats are shown to bring a sharper concentration and improved alertness.
• Slow tempos ease the brain's wave and lead to a calm state.
• Additional research has shown that music's ability to shift the brain waves' activity levels allows the brain to shift speeds on its own, meaning the positive benefits to your brain last well after you have stopped listening to the music.
• These findings make it clear why it is now common to see positive results when playing music to sharpen the focus of children with ADD. 
• Music is one of the few activities in life that utilizes the entire brain.
• Music can distract, provide control and cause people's mind, breathing and heart rate to relax.

Aids the Automatic Nervous System 

Music's ability to stimulate brain waves positively affects blood pressure, heartbeat and the brain hose, all governed by the autonomic nervous system. 

• Breathing and heart rate can also be altered by the changes music can bring (slower breathing, slower heart rate, and an activation of the relaxation response). 
• Some experts have concluded that music can be an affordable treatment for people struggling with heart conditions.
• Research has shown that people with high blood pressure can train themselves to lower their blood pressure simply by listening to music that relaxes them each morning and evening.
• The American Society of Hypertension found that just 30 minutes of reggae, Celtic or classical music each day may lead to significant blood pressure reductions.
• Additionally, music has been found to assist in quicker recoveries for people recooperating from severe strokes.

Positively Affects Cardiovascular System

Medical research has shown although long-term stress can cause significant damage to yourcardiovascular system, listening to your favorite music can actually improve the functioning of your cardiovascular system.

• A career doctor measured the size of patients' blood vessel size as they listened to music in the hopes of finding whether or not the body reacts positively to music in the same manner as it does to laughter.
• The doctor discovered that as the patients listened to music they enjoyed, their blood vessels relaxed, opened up and made chemicals that are beneficial to the heart.
• When the patients listened to music they disliked, he found the vessels would close.
• Over time and with increased stress, blood vessels stiffen and restrict blood flow. This causes high blood pressure, increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

Reduces Stress 

In conjunction with the findings on music's positive effects on the cardiovascular system, it is known to combat stress.

• Studies have found that both playing and listening to music can significantly reduce stress. 
• Music can go as far as to create a sense of euphoria in some cases.
• A Stanford University study found elderly patients who were diagnosed with depression had better self-esteem and moods when they were visited by a music therapist.
• Manchester University researchers discovered that music stimulates the part of the inner ear known as the sacculus, which gives the brain pleasure and makes the listener feel good.
• Research has found that loud music causes the brain to release hormones that make the listener calm, happy and responsive. 
• Additionally, studies show music is hugely beneficial in reducing stress before a surgery.
• The studies found that music reduced patients' stress prior to a surgery better than medication.
• in times of stress, cortisol levels have been shown to be lower for people who listened to music versus people who face the same stress without music.

Lessens Depression

Scientific studies have found that either listening to your favorite music or playing music can offset the effects of depression.

• One study showed that depressed patients who underwent music therapy sessions and were allowed to play percussion instruments showed fewer symptoms of depression or anxiety than patients who only had standard counselling.
• The patients found they expressed their inner pressure and feelings by drumming and described the feeling as cathartic.
• The doctors concluded that music therapy, in conjunction with medication, psychotherapy and counselling, helps people to improve their levels of depression and anxiety.
• The British Journal of Psychiatry stated that not only does music help us reduce stress, but it also can improve moods.
• A study at the National University of Singapore discovered that playing your favorite songs as little as once a week can help reduce depressive symptoms.
• It is believed that concentrating on your favorite music reduces your mental resources for focusing on other negative thoughts.
• Additionally, most antidepressant medications don't boost dopamine levels, but listening to music you love will cause you to do that naturally.

Improves Memory 

Music has been discovered to help patients suffering from memory loss to reclaim their personal history by listening to songs they love.

• This occurs because the part of the brain which processes music is located next to the part that controls memory.
• Research shows that people with memory loss respond best to music of their choice.
• Studies have found that elderly people with a long history of playing music (10-plus years) fare better in nonverbal memory, naming, and executive processes than non-musicians of the same age group.
• A direct link has been made between a history of musical activity and increased mental balance in old age.

Fuels Exercise 

It is widely believed that listening to music will improve your body's output during exercise.

• It will help to increase your endurance.
• Music can boost your mood during physical activity.
• Music is able to distract you from stress, pain and discomfort you encounter during your exercise.
• A scientific study of men riding bikes found that on the days when the men exercised listening to music, they covered 11% greater distance than on days when they didn't listen to music.
• Researchers also concluded that the men's levels of exertion were at their lowest when listening to music.
• Studies have determined that listening to music releases endorphins, which lift our moods and provide motivation to carry on longer with exercise.
• The studies found that the best types of music for exercise are high energy and high tempo music.

Eases Chronic Back Pain

Music has been shown to assist the limbic system, the part of the brain that controls feelings and emotions. Experts believe that music can ease both physical tension in our bodies and psychological tension in our brains.

• When we hear slow rhythms, our blood pressure and heartbeat slow down to allow us to breathe more slowly.
• The slower breathing reduces muscle tension in our neck, shoulders, stomach and back. 
• Listening to music on a regular basis allows our bodies to relax physically and mentally, which prevents and alleviates back pain.
• An Austrian study published in The Vienna Medical Weekly Journal concluded that patients with back pack who listened to music and received visualization classes for 25 minutes every day received better pain relief than a group of patients who received standard medical care, therapy and no music.
• The Journal of Advanced Nursing reported a study showing that listening to music can reduce chronic pain by up to 21% and depression by up to 25%.
• Researchers believe music allows people to feel more in control of their pain and less disabled by their condition.

Comfort During Childbirth 

Since music has been discovered to reduce stress, decrease pain and allow people to relax, many expecting mothers have decided to listen to music while giving birth.

• Music therapists who bring music into the childbirth room say the music is a means of support, a distraction from the pain and a tool for relaxation.
• By focusing the mother's attention on the music, her perceived pain decreases.
• Music is also used to assist the breathing exercises to help the mother pace herself.
• The music allows the mother and family invloved to have less stress and anxiety during childbirth.