Science has music's back.
Music is basically a reflection of our emotions; it allows us to better understand our feelings and emotions. I cannot even imagine a world without music. That type of world would be boring and depressing. I listen to music practically all the time: while walking to school, while doing homework, and while on car trips, making the trips even more relaxed and fun. Music never lets me down. He, though, I would like to share 3 scientific reasons I found that make music vital to all of us.
1. Music and Work Productivity
People like music because it makes them feel good. Through Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), researchers discovered that people listening to pleasurable music had regions within their brain called the limbic and paralimbic areas activated. These regions are connected to euphoria reward responses like those we experience from addictive drugs and good food. When we listen to music we enjoy, a hormone called dopamine is released, making us feel rewarded. Hence a group of researchers from the University of Windsor, Canada, asked themselves how music could affect professional life. Their study showed that software developers who work in a highly creative environment worked more effectively and faster while listening to music. They were more engaged and active contrary to when the music was off. Another study by Mindlab in the UK showed that 88% of participants were more accurate in their work, and 81% worked faster while listening to music. According to Dr. David Lewis, neuropsychologist and chairman of Mindlab International, "The take-home message is that music is a potent management tool if you want to increase not only the efficiency of your workforce but also their mental state, their emotional state – they're going to become more positive about the work." So, go to music!
2. Music and Health
Music can be instrumental in reducing pain and anxiety. Music helps people relax, especially while giving birth or before surgery. A study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine describes music as a viable alternative to sedative medications to relax patients before anesthesia. This is great not only because music is cheaper but also because music comes with no side effects. The most logical reasoning behind this is because music releases endorphins, which makes people happy. These endorphins help in counteracting and distracting people from pain. Another 2004 study from the Journal of Music Therapy found that music is of great help to help autistic people. It promotes its ability to be relaxed in a social setting. Music is also a potent treatment for mental health. According to an article by Dr. Mike Friedman, a clinical psychologist in Manhattan and a member of the EHE International Medical Advisory Board, music therapy improves social functioning among schizophrenics- reduces depression, anxiety, and chronic pain.
3. Music and Memory
Music also improves memory. That is something all students can attest to. We all remember songs lyrics way better than we do for an article we have just read or the notes we have to memorize for our examinations. It is no surprise then that health associate professionals use musical therapy in nursing homes to help the elderly remember things of their past, which they were not previously able to do without music. We also attribute various incidents of our lives to what music may have been playing at the time. That is why we often have a sense of deja-vu or nostalgia when a particular song starts playing. Music hence has astonishing effects on us and our cognitive abilities. It helps us safeguard our memories and our culture.