Beauty and the Beat
The benefits of listening to music in our daily lives.
By Pamela Alvarado
Music has a special place in our lives and is a constant throughout our days. Whether walking down Commonwealth Avenue to our favorite song playing in our ears or doing homework with soft melodies playing in the background to keep us sane, music is a constant companion. Music is so integrated into our daily lives that it seems as if we can’t live without it. For many of us, myself included, music is not just a pastime at this point but a necessity.
However, music’s influence extends far beyond just listening to it. It has such a profound effect on our lives, influencing our moods, emotions, and even our social responses. This has led to the development of music therapy, a powerful therapeutic approach that harnesses the power of music to improve mental and physical health.
So, what exactly is music therapy? Music therapy is a growing field that uses music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship. It’s an evidence-based practice that can help people of all ages improve in different parts of their lives, including mentally, emotionally, and physically. For instance, music therapy has been used to manage physical pain and has proven effective in treating a variety of health factors, such as lowering heart rate and blood pressure, reducing stress, improving sleep, and boosting memory and cognitive functions.
The impact of music on mental health is honestly incredible. Scientific research has shown the benefits of listening to music, such as stimulating the release of endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin – neurotransmitters associated with pleasure, happiness, and relaxation. Music also helps ease stress. As college students, we are stressed 24/7, from our daily homework to long-term tasks of figuring out what we are going to do with our lives. Music, as previously mentioned, helps release endorphins to help combat the stress we feel.
One of the most worthy things to mention is that music therapy is versatile. It has so many different ranges to choose from, such as listening to music, creating music, singing, or dancing to it. It’s a form of therapy that can be tailored however you want. Perhaps you want to create a mood-boosting playlist; it can be any genre you want. My personal favorite would be some good ’80s songs. Or perhaps, when studying for your exam and using the Pomodoro technique, you decide to whip out the good old classical mix to help you relax and lock in.
At the end of the day, the profound impact of music on our lives is extensive – from alleviating stress and anxiety to promoting inner peace. So let the music continue to play on, and let it touch your soul in ways you never thought it could.