How music can influence our mood

Music makes us relaxed, eliminates our pains temporarily, makes us hyperactive by dancing and singing loudly… Music organizes our history and allows us to forget the past. Its effect is such that we need it to live longer than we imagine. It can change our mood in a second and make a grey day colorful.

Music and mood

The positive effects of listening to music have been known for a long time. At the time of the great philosophers, musical odes were sung to relieve tension. In wars, certain songs or hymns were used to develop courage and confidence in soldiers.

Sporting events offer music as an incentive and the same is with schools; thanks to the songs, you learn the numbers, the alphabet and nursery rhymes. Even in stores you put music as a stimulus to purchase, and in restaurants to eat more. In consultation with the dentist, it serves to reduce the fear of patients and in the elevators, so as not to be bored so much.

For all this and much more we affirm that music benefits not only our mood, but also improves confidence and takes away our fear. It is a fact that each one has their own specific musical tastes, but there are certain “universal” styles that have more than interesting effects.

Our mothers’ singing when we were in the womb, the melodies that we heard when we were babies, or those we relate to, gives us a pleasant experience.

When we listen to certain pieces of music we can reduce anxiety, stress, and worries thanks to their tranquilizing or relaxing effects. And we are not only talking about classical music or meditation, but also ballad and reggae.

The ability of certain sounds to diminish negative emotions is extraordinary. Even if some rhythms are more “prepared” to offer tranquillity, any style can be used in therapy.

Since music influences our mood, it can be used in any situation and at any time. Perhaps in order to feel better, some need to hear agitated songs and others need slow themes.

Music, attention and sleep

Teachers sings certain melodies to pupils so as to remember certain elements, colours, animals, countries, etc… Relating information to a song allows us to remember the data more easily. And above all, it is a very fun method to learn!

On the other hand, there are sounds that can help patients suffering from certain diseases, such as cancer and multiple sclerosis, to speed up recovery from an operation or an accident.

In turn, listening to certain songs before going to bed can provide a more relaxed sleep and complete rest. If you have trouble sleeping, don’t hesitate to compile a list of tranquilizers and listen to them while you are in bed. Keep your eyes closed and breathe slowly.

You will gradually see how sleep “overcomes you” and you will sleep with the angels throughout the night. When it comes time to get up, some people opt for quiet and relaxed music, as they will have a day that is too complicated, and others prefer fast-paced themes to wake up immediately and then get into activity.

When we are too angry, bored or in a bad mood, a little music is the best medicine , as it reduces the hormones that cause stress and increases those that cause happiness.

It is only a matter of knowing how to choose the songs that can best cause these effects in you. Even if you are a fan of rock or electronic music, you should also listen to other styles, such as classical, jazz, or blues, to calm your nerves and balance your heartbeat.

Do not doubt the popular refrain that states that “whoever sings evil is astonished”.

The effects of music on the brain

The sounds we are exposed to daily influence our mind. When it comes to music that we like or that is enjoyable, the body releases dopamine. We also secrete this hormone when we are enjoying a pleasant activity.

When listening to songs that please you, the brain is activated in different areas. For example, in reaction to certain letters, the emotional response zones, the visual cortex, and the motor “light up”. Following the rhythm of the song, the left frontal, and parietal cortex, as well as the right cerebellum, are more awake.

Over time, the repetition of the song can serve as: