Author: Alex Yang
Editors: Roan Aly, Kevin Yao
Artist: Alvina Zheng
Do you ever listen to music when stressed, bored, or simply for fun? If you have, your actions may be greatly benefiting your physical and mental health. Hundreds of millions of people worldwide listen to music, whether during stressful moments, playing sports, or doing household chores. Stress, negative emotions, and poor health are all struggles people face; however, music can reduce these struggles. Many people face severe stress problems, which can lead to a decrease in health and animosity. Music is a possible solution that can act as a solution to improve the situation. Studies from Listen4Life, a music platform, have shown that it can reduce stress by reducing the production of cortisol, which releases stress neurotransmitters. Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal gland that is the main cause of stress. Music has also shown signs of helping circulation by reducing blood pressure, stabilizing heart rate, and strengthening the immune system. Listening to music causes the increase of natural killer cells (white blood cells that fight against infected/harmful cells) and gamma globulin A (an antibody that supports the immune system). Additionally, dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins - hormones that are also produced while listening to the tones - can enhance mood. Uplifting, energetic songs can also help improve your emotional state as they are associated with pleasure and reward, while calming music like Lofi can calm your mood and make you feel more relaxed. The beauty of musical sounds is not only beneficial to our ears but also to our body.
Music also has many benefits unrelated to health; productivity is also significantly increased when listening to music. Many people listen to music when studying, performing household chores, or even during work. Music can help you feel comfortable and concentrate, improving your work efficiency. One reason music enhances productivity is its ability to mask background distractions, which can blur out any distractions that keep you from doing work.
Music on a bigger scale also helps people and the economy. The music industry's rising exponentially has helped many people find jobs. Streaming apps like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music are forms of revenue that can help provide employment. Unemployment remains a significant global issue, so the rising music industry can help support employment rates. Musicians, producers, sound engineers, and various support roles, from event management to marketing, are only some of the jobs that music has created.
Music offers phenomenal benefits for mental and physical health. Its power to reduce stress and increase health conditions is a major benefit. Additionally, music can help enhance productivity levels, which is beneficial for people in and out of the house. Music can also create jobs and increase employment rates, but it has many other benefits than just pleasing the mind. Music may be a blessing to the ears, but deep down, it's a blessing to you, your body, and the people around you.
Citations:
“Healing Benefits.” Listen4Life Foundation, www.listenforlife.org/healing-benefits.html?
4ccp7nf5MKHn2ZPDQr0AZnbaKui36GRMaApdEEALw_wcB. Accessed 19 Oct. 2024.
“Music and Health: What You Need to Know.” National Center for Complementary and
Integrative Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Oct. 2024.
Victor, David. “How Music Helps People Heal.” Harmony & Healing, 19 June 2024,
www.harmonyandhealing.org/how-music-helps-people-heal/?
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