How can music elevate your mood? Researchers have mused the cathartic and mood enhancing benefits of music for centuries. This is why we recommend taking up music lessons in Guernsey.

Even sad music brings most listeners pleasure and ease, according to experts. Other studies suggest music can increase happiness and diminishes anxiety. Music is an integral part of the human experience. School of Popular Music was interested in this facet of music tuition in Guernsey and decided to find out more about the advantages music has on a person’s well-being. 

Music Uplifts Your Mood

Are you sad, depressed, or anxious? You will be elated in discovering that you can chase all your blues away simply by listening to your favourite music. Considered as a natural antidepressant, music can give you that euphoric high that medications can bring. Whenever you’re feeling down and blue, it’s good to know how music can get you out of the dumps – literally.

How can Music make you Happy?

Soothing tunes aid the release of serotonin, a hormone that raises happiness and a general sense of well-being. It also flushes the body with dopamine, a neurotransmitter responsible for that ‘feel good’ factor. Music also paves the way for the release of norepinephrine, a hormone that brings about euphoria and elation.

Music Affects the Brain

The meter, timber, rhythm and pitch of music are managed in areas of the brain that control emotions and mood. These key zones are the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and the parietal lobe. Music is known to tap into various parts of the brain, which is why it is utilized by many experts in treating depressed or anxious patients. 

Thanks to its ability to adjust the different parts of the brain, music has been used in a number of therapies. For example, it has been applied to stroke victims to teach them how to talk again. Similarly, it is recommended to stutterers so that they can dictate words clearly once again. Since it also reaches the emotion-related barriers, music is now being applied as a mood-altering therapy for depressed and anxious patients.

A Motivating Force

Songs with optimistic messages, such as “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor and “Stronger” by Kelly Clarkson are full of inspirational lyrics and tunes that can really elevate your mood. The messages that are embedded in such songs – plus the euphoria that comes with singing these tunes – can motivate you to brush yourself up and try again. Whenever you are feeling low, listening – even singing to “I Will Survive” at the top of your voice can give you the strength and motivation to pick yourself up.

A Stress-Reliever

Are work-related stresses making you feel anxious? A great way to release the tensions that bring you down is to listen to music. Soothing tunes can help relax your tensed muscles, as well as pace down your breathing rate. With these physiologic changes, you can eradicate the stresses that can make you cranky and moody.

Change your perception

Even if a thing that saddens you is not right in front you, it can make you feel down for the days to come – especially if you let it linger in your thought and affect you. A study conducted by experts from the University of Groningen shows that people enjoy a ‘happier’ perception when they listen to lively music. So if you want to drown all the depression away, turn on the radio and expect your perception to be changed for the better.

Which Music Genre?

You’ll be glad to discover that all genres of music can improve your mood. In a study conducted by researchers from Penn State University, results showed that students who listened to music – almost any kind of music – reported feeling more elated, positive, sociable, tranquil and calm.
While most recommend soothing music like classical masterpieces by Beethoven and Mozart, research even shows how even the loudest of songs – such as rock and grunge – can make you feel positive. Whether you are into pop, new wave, soft rock or alternative genres, you can bank on your favourite songs to make you feel happy – even after a gloomy day.

The effects of listening to music are beneficial to people of all ages, from toddlers to the elderly. If you’re looking to improve you physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing with music, consider starting music lessons at the School of Popular Music in Guernsey today.

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