“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” Plato’s words express the immensity with which music shapes our lives: how it inspires, soothes, entertains, and has the ability to lift our spirits and enliven us. Music, either played or listened to, is a powerful elixir shown to relieve stress, calm anxiety, and boost energy. So regardless of whether you prefer rock or classical, break out your collection, throw on some headphones, and read on to learn exactly how music influences your mind, body, and life.
Natural Beat
From the very beginning, we are captivated by rhythm and sound. Newborn infants as young as two days old have been shown to be able to detect musical beat, synchronizing their behavior to rhythmic sounds. In this sense, the perception of beat is either innate or learned in the womb, as the auditory system is partly functional about three months before birth.
Musical Revelations
For many people, hereon affirms a lifelong love affair with music. Just a glimpse at someone’s music collection can provide clues about his or her personality. In asking the revealing question, “What kind of music do you like?” strangers can assess another person’s level of creativity, open-mindedness, and extroversion, since some psychologists believe character clues are conveyed in music’s tempo, rhythm, and lyrics. Jazz listeners are considered creative and outgoing, while fans of rock/heavy metal have lower self esteem, while being creative.
Similarly, why we turn on the tunes is indicative of who we are. People who are more intellectual and open, and those with higher IQs, are more likely to appreciate music in a rational, cognitive way by focusing on the complexity of a musical piece with a critical ear. Those who are more anxious and introverted rely on music to manage their emotions, possibly as a pick-me-up after a difficult day.
Making Music and Memories
Music has a tendency to burn into the soul when we’re young and remain essential for the rest of time. In the book “This Is Your Brain on Music,” Daniel J. Levitin, a neuroscientist, depicts exactly how our brains process music, including how we translate sounds into song patterns, how we remember and categorize music, and why listening to music is such an emotional mind trip. Music is a very powerful autobiographical memory cue. A song can blare over the radio and suddenly you’re transported back to a memorable high-school dance, or to an afternoon of hanging out with friends. Whether the soundtrack of your youth was The Beatles or Nirvana, research shows that even just thinking about a particular song evokes vivid memories of the past.
By mapping the brain activity of a group of people while they listened to music, a researcher found that the brain’s region (the medial prefrontal cortex, an area just behind the forehead) where past memories are supported and retrieved also serves as a hub that links familiar music, memories, and emotion. In people with Alzheimer’s disease, this area of the brain remains intact longer, while most other areas have deteriorated, which explains why music elicits strong responses from people with Alzheimer’s.
Health in Harmony
Over the past decade, music’s influence on cognitive development, learning, and emotional and physical well-being has become a hot field of scientific study. If you’ve ever turned on music after a long, stressful day, you know that your favorite songs can help in relieving anxiety and a bad mood. Just half an hour of iPod time lowers the stress hormone cortisol and boosts feel-good endorphins, and also fortifies the immune system. Listening to your favorite, happy tunes may also be beneficial for your cardiovascular health, since upbeat music elicits emotions that have a healthy effect on blood vessel function. For a natural sedative, play 45 minutes of soft, soothing music before you climb into bed to enjoy the benefits of lower heart rate and slower respiration, as well as some quality sleep.
Music keeps you sound of mind and body, so grab your iPod and settle down for a listening session. Listening to the tunes of your choice, be they rock, jazz, or rap, as you study, relax, or exercise can boost your mood and increase feelings of optimism and calm. Think of it as your own form of musical therapy.
