Music can have a powerful impact on our mental wellbeing. Beyond entertainment, music has the ability to induce incredible positive effects on our brain. It can help reduce stress, help us sleep better, manage pain, improve our mood, improve motivation and help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. 

There are endless genres of music and different music affects us all uniquely. Finding the songs that speak to you are most important. Music can trigger emotions, memories and thoughts which often have a beneficial impact on your mental health.

Here are some of the many ways that music can be used to manage our mental health:

Music boosts your mood and motivation

Studies have found that playing uplifting music stimulates the brain to release dopamine, the feel-good chemical in your brain, which boosts our mood. It was also found that this feel-good chemical goes up 9% when listening to music you enjoy. Researchers claim that ambient and classical music are best at lifting your mood.

Need to get through a long day or some motivation to work out?

Fast paced and up-tempo music can get your brain and body moving, giving you motivation to enjoy what’s ahead.

Music reduces stress and helps relaxation

If you’re looking for a calm stimulation to the mind, soft and ambient music is a great way to reduce stress. In addition, calming sounds of nature, string-instruments and the piano have proven to help you relax. It can release tension in your muscles, relieving stress or anxieties. 

Playing music as you doze-off is also a great way to relax as it can slow your breathing and help you find peace of mind. In fact, Beethoven’s ‘Moonlight’ Sonata was found to be the most popular piece of music to fall asleep to. 

Music reduces anxiety and depression 

Music can have a large impact on your emotions. Listening and composing therapeutic music can help ease depressive and anxious thoughts. Studies have found that ambient or classical music can aid in reducing anxiety by up to 65%.

Music improves focus 

Trying to stay focused when completing an activity can be challenging. Certain genres of music can boost focus when performing everyday activities. It is recommended that classical, instrumental or ambient music are best at helping increase focus.

Studies have found that music with a tempo of 60 bpm increases the brain’s ability to process information, as well as electronic dance music proven to sharpen focus. 

Music boosts confidence

Ambient and subliminal music have been found to assist in low-confidence and anxiety. Studies have proven that listening to an isochronic tone and binaural beat is beneficial when you are feeling fearful or nervous. It is proposed that the brain syncs to the new frequency which alters your ‘brain state’ to a more confident and happy feeling.

Music as a form of expression

Music is a great way to express your creativity and emotion without the need of talking. Listening to or composing your favourite songs is a wonderful way to express your emotions that are too difficult to talk about.

Music as a personal experience 

Skye (Social Media and Marketing Assistant) shares why she feels music is so powerful:

Music has the incredible ability to change our lives. Just one song can inspire us, bring people together and create amazing memories. If I’m feeling down, listening to my favourite music immediately lifts my mood. Music definitely helps me get through the day, helping my motivation and boosting my mood. I’d recommend to anyone feeling like things aren’t going well, turn up your favourite song, music can empower you!’

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