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May 2023: The Connection Between Music and Mental Health

 



If we were to ask you right now to name one song that always makes you feel more positive, lighter, and calmer...what song would you share with us? 

Maybe even thinking about the song had a reaction for you or made you want to play it (which we highly encourage at any point!) Music is something enmeshed in our daily lives, but do you ever just think about the psychological impact it has on you? Well, buckle up because this blog post is ALL about the powerful connection between music and our mental health. 

A lot of research has come out about the link between music and brain/mental health and how listening and making music has been identified as a critical way to preserve and enhance our brain's health. This includes promoting mental well-being, increasing social connection, and stimulating thinking skills. And, yes, music can be a huge source of pleasure for us, but it also relaxes the mind, energizes our bodies, and can even help people manage pain. 

And if you reading this and still questioning whether or not music can have such an influence on you, think about the last time you heard a song or performance that brought you to tears or gave you goosebumps or listened to a bass-bumping song that made you workout harder and faster...Ringing a bell, now? 

Let's look at some specific ways music can help us psychologically:
1. Improves cognitive functioning and performance
2. Reduces stress
3. Can help manage pain 
4. Can help you sleep better 
5. Improves motivation
6. Helps improve mood
7. May reduce symptoms of depression
8. Improves endurance and performance 

So as we finish up this semester and get into the stress of finals, how can you add music into your coping strategies and stress relief? 

Something to think about and be proactive is making a playlist of songs that motivate you, make you feel happy, make you feel understood/hear, or make you want to dance. Music is a powerful tool, so knowing how to use it to our advantage and help us battle stress can make a world of difference. 

We hope that after reading this blog, you find yourself putting on your favorite tunes or planning ways to incorporate music into your mental health journey. 

Good luck with finals and happy listening, Pioneers! 



References:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/can-music-improve-our-health-and-quality-of-life-202207252786
https://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/health/brain_health/2020/06/gcbh-music-report-english.doi.10.26419-2Fpia.00103.001.pdf
https://jedfoundation.org/resource/how-music-can-improve-your-mental-health/
https://www.verywellmind.com/surprising-psychological-benefits-of-music-4126866


Interested in other When Life Feels Messy content? 
Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDvZhitB6IB01ex05vw0o?si=a87510fe7229415e
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@whenlifefeelsmessy...
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