The Impact of Music in Mental Health

Before studying or doing something tedious, a majority of individuals will head to Spotify to play some music. This is due to the numerous benefits that music can have on focus, mood, and mental health. Someone who is dreading a chore, whether that be laundry or dishes, can rely on music to boost their mood or help with their productivity. Moreover, music has been proven to lower stress levels as well, explaining why people study with music on. It helps individuals feel less overwhelmed, especially in the middle of a stressful school semester. In fact, I’m listening to music as this blog is being written. Our favorite tunes can impact us in ways that we haven’t even realized. 

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It also determines how we handle stressful events in our lives, which can directly correlate with music, as it plays a significant role in mood regulation. Emerging evidence suggests that music can encourage social connections and help people develop emotional competence. Additionally, individuals can obtain a sense of belonging from many aspects of music, like programs or choirs. Feeling like you belong can improve your mental health as well due to the production of oxytocin, which is known as the love hormone. People from different backgrounds can bond over and build relationships over shared musical experiences. Many individuals have bonded with someone over music, myself included. 

A study was conducted, and it was found that 73% of 1,500 independent musicians have mental illnesses. Although this may be considered surprising because of music’s calming properties, it has helped tremendously in raising awareness for mental health and normalizing it. Influential musical artists like Arianna Grande, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, and Demi Lovato have openly spoken about their mental well-being. This can not only shed light on the topic of mental illnesses but also teach others that it’s okay to not be okay. 

Music is also commonly used as a form of therapy to treat mental illnesses like anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia. It’s been found that it relieves symptoms while improving mood and encouraging social interaction. Studies have highlighted how music reduces symptoms and even helps children with Autism Spectrum Disorder better communicate themselves. Moreover, research has proven that music therapy is more effective compared to psychotherapy and verbal relaxation. 

As teenagers live in a time filled with doubt and self-discovery, music can help us understand who we are and who we want to be. Music can significantly influence someone’s opinions and eventually shape who they are in the future, depending on what they listen to. Knowing what music you genuinely enjoy and listen to is a way of emotional regulation since you’re feeling your feelings. Music is different for everyone because of our different cultures and opinions. A specific song won’t give everyone the same feeling. 

Music is empowering and can evoke so many different emotions. In a world where so many things are uncertain, music remains unchanging. It’s the closest thing we have to magic. So listen. Feel it. Enjoy it. 

References

The Benefits of Studying with Music. (2019, August 13). Florida National University; Florida National University. https://www.fnu.edu/benefits-studying-music/

 Reynolds, F. (2023, August 1). The transformative power of music in mental well-being. Www.psychiatry.org; American Psychiatric Association. 

https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/apa-blogs/power-of-music-in-mental-well-being 

Rebecchini, L. (2021). Music, mental health, and immunity. Brain, Behavior, & Immunity - Health, 18(100374), 100374. National Library of Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbih.2021.100374 

Frost, A. (2023). How Music Can Improve Your Mental Health. The Jed Foundation; The Jed Foundation. https://jedfoundation.org/resource/how-music-can-improve-your-mental-health/ 

Hoffer, M., Avirett, J., Bocharski, K., & Da Costa, J. (2022, December 2). How music affects your mind, mood and body. Www.tmh.org; Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare. https://www.tmh.org/healthy-living/blogs/healthy-living/how-music-affects-your-mind-mood-an