Music has always been known as a way of expressing feelings and thoughts, or to process feelings but could it actually do anything else? The Washington Post, on Instagram, posted on June 12 how singing can be beneficial for your brain. If you kept reading it explained how the act of creating music boosts your brain and mental health. Creating music boosts brain health by engaging various cognitive and emotional processes. Listening to music is like a workout for your brain. “Music is structural, mathematical and architectural. It’s based on relationships between one note and the next. You may not be aware of it, but your brain has to do a lot of computing to make sense of it,” John Hopkins Medicine states. Creating music boosts mental health by fostering a feeling of connection with the musical artist, the people who we listen to it with, and more. Similarly, music can sync us with other people when we listen to it with other people or when we have a car concert or karaoke with others. The Washington Post also posted, “Singing in groups can decrease cortisol, a stress hormone, and increase the release of oxytocin, a neuropeptide and hormone important for social bonding.”
If you would like to dive into the world of music, start small and find what music you like. While you listen try to be actively engaged and hear the relationships between the notes and the lyrics. When you get the chance, sing along, by yourself or with others. Even if you do not think you are great just enjoy the music and maybe even try creating some of your own. Also, music can calm the vagus nerve through sound and vibration, stimulating it to promote relaxation and a “rest and digest” response. This stimulation, particularly from calming music with a slow tempo and simple melody, can help regulate heart rate, reduce muscle tension, and decrease negative thoughts.
If you are feeling stressed or need to connect with a professional counselor feel free to reach us at Olive Branch Counseling Associates, Inc. in Tinley park by calling (708) 633-8000, or at 6819 167th Street in Tinley Park, Illinois, online at https://www.olivebranchcounselingassociates.com/. Olive Branch offers therapy for individuals, couples, and families. We would be happy to hear from and see you!
References for further information:
CounselingMatters.live 
Leave a comment