How Music Affects The Mind And Body | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

How Music Affects The Mind And Body

Music is not just a form of entertainment!

1004
How Music Affects The Mind And Body
KVH Studios

Music is an art, entertainment, pleasure, and most importantly, a medicine for the soul and body. Music is one of the few activities that involves using the whole brain. It is intrinsic to all cultures and has surprising benefits. It helps with language, improving memory, and focusing attention, but also for physical coordination and development. But it could be misused. Music could be distracting if its too loud or too jarring.

1. Pain Relief

Overall music has a positive effect on pain management. Music can help reduce both the sensation and distress of both chronic pain and postoperative pain. Listening to music can reduce chronic pain from a range of painful conditions, including osteoarthritis, disc problems by up to 21%, and depression by up to 25%, according to a paper in the latest UK based Journal of Advanced Nursing. Music therapy is being used in hospitals at an increasing rate to reduce the need for medication during childbirth, to decrease postoperative pain, and complement the use of anesthesia during surgery. There are several theories about how music positively affects perceived pain.

2. Medicine for the heart

Music is good for your heart because it relaxes it. Research shows that it is musical temp, rather than style. Italian and British researchers recruited young men and women and made sure half of this group were trained musicians. The participants slipped on head phones and listened to six styles of music, including rap and classical pieces, with random two minute pauses. Researchers monitored their breathing, heart rates and blood pressure, as the participants kicked back and listened. The participants had faster heart and breathing rates when they listened to lively music. When the musical slowed, so did their heart rate and breathing rates. During the musical pauses, heart and breathing rates normalized or reached more optimal levels. Whether or not a person liked the style of music did not matter. The tempo, or pace, of the music had the greatest effect on relaxation. Chronic headaches and migraine remedy.

3. Music boosts immunity

This is surprising to many people, music can help migraines and chronic headaches. People that suffer through this reduce the intensity, frequency, and duration of headaches. Music can also boost the immune function. Scientists explain that a particular type of music can create a positive experience, which leads to secretion of immune-boosting hormones.

4. Music improves athletic performance

Choosing music that motivates you will make it easier to start moving, walking, dancing, or any other type of exercise that you enjoy. Music can make exercise feel more like recreation and less like work.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

186623
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

12615
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

456243
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

25603
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments