Quarantine Blues
With the pandemic still raging, music can play a positive role in our mental health
By Kelvin Lin, reporter
With the pandemic still raging, music can play a positive role in our mental health
By Kelvin Lin, reporter
Music has such an important role in our day to day lives. Whether you’re a member of a band or an orchestra, or whether you just listen to spotify recreationally at home, music is like a familiar blanket, providing comfort and warmth even when times are tough. 2020 has not been the ideal year for anybody and I think most people would agree that it was a horrible way to kick off a new decade. Instead of hanging out with our friends in class and learning in the proper environment, we are toiling away at our Chromebooks at the mercy of the whims of the internet and Google Meet gods. All of this stress can take a heavy toll on our physical and mental health, and sometimes we just need a moment to rewind and charge our batteries. Music is the perfect way to do that.
There’s loads of benefits to music. Studies have shown that music has an extremely positive impact on our overall well being. There is research to indicate that music can improve our moods and reduce stress. When we listen or play music that we particularly enjoy, our brains release a neurotransmitter called dopamine, which is also known as the happy hormone. Dopamine is crucial to us experiencing happiness and pleasure in our lives. Another surprising effect of music is that our focus and concentration increases when we listen to music. A study known as Rauscher et al conducted in 1993, found that there is a positive correlation between listening to Mozart and our memory and concentration. This phenomena is known as the “Mozart Effect”. This can be especially helpful for us teens because if you’re anything like me, you get distracted when you’re home very easily. The benefits of music don’t just stop there. There’s also boatloads of evidence to suggest that music can help us in a physical sense, as well. Music can help us create better sleeping habits which can help improve our academic performance and our overall health. Music also increases our motivation to exercise which helps keep us physically fit which also has a slew of benefits on its own.
There are so many benefits of having music in our lives. Even if you don’t particularly like music, what’s the harm in downloading Spotify and listening to a playlist, or two? If it isn’t your cup of tea, that’s completely fine, but if it is, great! You’ll be privy to the many benefits of music and have an absolute blast in the process.
There’s loads of benefits to music. Studies have shown that music has an extremely positive impact on our overall well being. There is research to indicate that music can improve our moods and reduce stress. When we listen or play music that we particularly enjoy, our brains release a neurotransmitter called dopamine, which is also known as the happy hormone. Dopamine is crucial to us experiencing happiness and pleasure in our lives. Another surprising effect of music is that our focus and concentration increases when we listen to music. A study known as Rauscher et al conducted in 1993, found that there is a positive correlation between listening to Mozart and our memory and concentration. This phenomena is known as the “Mozart Effect”. This can be especially helpful for us teens because if you’re anything like me, you get distracted when you’re home very easily. The benefits of music don’t just stop there. There’s also boatloads of evidence to suggest that music can help us in a physical sense, as well. Music can help us create better sleeping habits which can help improve our academic performance and our overall health. Music also increases our motivation to exercise which helps keep us physically fit which also has a slew of benefits on its own.
There are so many benefits of having music in our lives. Even if you don’t particularly like music, what’s the harm in downloading Spotify and listening to a playlist, or two? If it isn’t your cup of tea, that’s completely fine, but if it is, great! You’ll be privy to the many benefits of music and have an absolute blast in the process.