Music is a fundamental attribute of the human species. You turn on your favorite song, and you automatically start humming or singing. It instantly improves our mood and mind state. If we are upset with something and hear some soothing music, how quickly do we feel better? It doesn’t happen without any reason. Research has found that when we listen to music, it triggers a release of Dopamine – a naturally occurring happy chemical to the brain. Now Dopamine is not only released during peak musical moments but also when we anticipate those moments. Like when we remember any of our favorite songs.

No matters whether you sing or play an instrument, you can probably reel off a list of songs that evoke happy memories and raise your spirits. In tune or not, we all sing and hum; we clap and sway; we dance and bounce. Our brain and nervous system are hard-wired to distinguish soothing and pleasing sound from noise and respond to rhythm and repetition, tones and tunes. We have this understanding since childhood.

I am a music lover. I like to listen and also to sing. When I was in college, my friends used to say that I will never get bored in my free time because I have a hobby of singing. Now, I can see my son also developing the same interest. He keeps humming or fitting words in his familiar tunes (which are off course, the title song of his favorite cartoon shows or jingles). So, why and how can music be therapeutic? How can something intangible be so powerful?

• Breathing and heart rate
• Brain waves
• Music changes our state of mind
• Music is used as a therapeutic tool

Breathing and heart rate

It can calm a stressful mind and lower down your heart rate. Mean slower breathing, slower heart rate, and activation of the relaxation response, among other things.

Brain waves

Why is the meditation music always slow and the one used in disco fast? The faster the beats, the more is the concentration. The slower the beats, the more is the relaxing feeling. Research has shown that music with a strong beat can stimulate brainwaves to resonate in sync with the beat. In fact, it has long-lasting effects even after the music is stopped. You must have noticed yourself singing or humming that fast-tempo song that you have just listened to, and it stays in your mind for the next couple of days.

Related article: How our brain responds to the notes

Music changes our state of mind

It has a healing effect. When the lyrics are fitted perfectly into the musical notes, the impact it creates is magical. It can evoke emotional responses to relax.

Music is used as a therapeutic tool

Due to its several benefits, it is used as a therapeutic tool for pain management and to treat many patients. I read an article about Holly Chartrand, a music therapist at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital, published in Harvard Health Publishing. She was first trained as a vocalist Later, she decided to become a music therapist when she realized that she could use music to support others just as it had helped her throughout her life. “The favorite part of my job is seeing how big an impact music can have on someone who isn’t feeling well,” she says. You can read the article

The good news is – you can also use music to improve your well-being: One needs not to have to be a music therapist to improve their well-being. Depending upon the mood, you can include music in your daily routine. Both kids and adults can use it. We all should incorporate music into our everyday life. Starting our day with some relaxing music or mantras can be very powerful. It set just the right tone to begin our day.

This was about music for our overall health. In the next post, I will share the benefits of music for kids.