We can all relate to the experience. A song you really love starts playing and suddenly, your day seems brighter, your mood picks up, and a little of the world’s stress is lifted from your shoulders. Numerous scientific studies have been conducted to explore the effects of music on stress, with a focus on understanding the underlying concepts, gathering evidence, and undergoing peer review. These studies have found that music can reduce stress and increase well-being by influencing physiological and psychological markers associated with stress.
According to a systematic review and meta-analyses of the available scientific research, music can lower heart rate and cortisol levels and release endorphins, subsequently improving an individual’s sense of well-being. Furthermore, music-based interventions have been shown to be effective in managing stress. The diverse networks of the brain activated by music, as explained by Harvard Health, may play a key role in its stress-reducing effects.
Music has been found to affect both physiological and psychological aspects of a person’s stress experience, including heart rate, blood pressure, and emotional state (PubMed).
Physiological Effects
Scientific studies have found that music can have noticeable physiological effects on the human body. For instance, music has been shown to lower blood pressure and heart rate, as well as decrease levels of the stress hormone adrenaline and the inflammation-promoting cytokine interleukin-6 (Harvard Health).
These physiological changes can help reduce the overall stress response in the body and contribute to a more relaxed state. Moreover, such effects are not restricted to a specific genre or type of music, as research findings have been observed with various musical styles.
Psychological Effects
Listening to music has also demonstrated positive psychological effects. Studies have shown that music interventions can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and lessen depressive symptoms in both children and adults in clinical settings (Nature).
Furthermore, according to a survey conducted by Harvard Health, music listeners had higher scores for mental well-being and slightly reduced levels of anxiety and depression compared to people overall. Of those respondents who regularly attend musical performances, a greater percentage rated their brain health as “excellent” or “very good.”
Cognitive Performance
Music has been found to influence cognitive performance as well. For example, a study by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health found that music-based movement therapy may improve motor function, balance, and mental health. Additionally, singing has been shown to have a beneficial effect on speech in people with Parkinson’s Disease (PD).
Moreover, there is evidence suggesting that music therapy can be effective for pain relief and reducing analgesic requirements in acute, chronic, or cancer pain settings (PMC). This may indicate that music has the potential to affect cognitive processing related to pain perception, thus contributing to stress reduction.
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