5 Ways Music Can Help Your Mental Health

rnMore of us suffer from mental health issues than you can imagine, and so whether it is you or someone you know, you truly aren’t alone. One thing that many have found solace in, aside from their beloved pets, is music. It has a way of speaking to us, of helping us to live through even the darkest and seemingly empty areas of our lives. Here are some of the ways in which music is able to help your mental health. #1 Relieving Anxietyrn rnWhen you listen to music, the amount of cortisol in your body drops. This is the hormone responsible for stress, so as it is reduced, so too is your blood pressure, heart rate, and anxiety. The music is there to leave you feeling calmer and more relaxed – helping you to ease your brain and refocus your attention. #2 Reducing Depression When there is an imbalance of serotonin in the brain, depression occurs, and it is quite a simple explanation, but also a true one. Listening to music when depressed is a great step, but it has to be upbeat as sad music can actually leave you feeling worse afterward. The happy tracks, on the other hand, tend to increase the amount of serotonin being produced, and over time that leads to you feeling happier and with better moods overall. #3 Helping You to Express Emotion Playing music, listening to music, or even taking part in music therapy are all great ways to express your emotions. It is the ideal path for those with past trauma they cannot talk about, as well as those who are non-verbal and want to be able to communicate their feelings clearly. Whether you are playing instruments or listening to the music, it is the perfect creative outlet for anyone that has trouble talking things through. #4 Improving Focus and Concentration Dopamine is the neurotransmitter that is responsible for things like attention and motivation, and it is something that those with ADHD (and similar disorders) have a very low supply of. Listening to music can actually increase the amount of dopamine produced – boosting concentration and giving you a new level of motivation. It also gives unfocused areas of the brain something to do, leaving you more able to focus on specific tasks. #5 Giving Your Personal Time We all need some time alone to process the day or just take a breather from other people. Even in crowded places, music gives you the personal time you need. All you need to do is get your headphones on, and your own world is created. Taking time for yourself can lower your stress and anxiety levels, giving you the chance to recover yourself and get back on track. To Conclude We hope that this article has shown you a little more about the links between music and mental health, as well as the ways in which it can help you. It’s a fascinating topic and one that has a lot of scientific backing. If you enjoyed this article and want to learn more about the ways in which music and mental health are connected, and how music can help, you should read our detailed and thoroughly researched article on the subject to learn more.