Have you ever noticed how you could be having a horrible day but as soon as you get in the car and your favourite song comes on, your mood instantly lifts?
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Music, just like certain smells can instantaneously trigger a range of emotions, from sad, nostalgic, stressed, calm, content or happy.
Listening to music has the ability to activate the entire limbic system, the part of the brain responsible for processing our emotions and controlling memories and with advances in neuroimaging we are now able to capture the exact moment music “lights up” our brain.
Could we use this information to help manage stress, low mood, cognition and depression in our own lives?
Music and Stress
Research has found music to be an effective intervention in reducing stress and low mood in a range of subjects.
Certain tempos and vibrations have the ability to reduce cortisol (stress hormone), improve attention and lower one’s heart rate, pulse, blood pressure and respiration rate.
Slower tempo (around 60BPM) music has been linked with higher levels of relaxation and stress reduction during stressful tasks.
Studies show that around 30 minutes of music is required for sustain benefit but that the improvement on our subconscious can be seen almost instantly.
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Music and Depression
A recent study tested the immediate impact of music on self-reported mood and physiological markers (cortisol and EEG/brain waves) in clinically depressed individually found most people’s physiological markers (brainwaves and cortisol) improved almost instantly, even before the individuals reported feeling better themselves.
An additional study found that talking to a music therapist weekly plus 30 minutes of prescribed music daily showed improvements in depression, distress, self-esteem and mood.
These improvements were still present nine months after the study ceased, showing that music isn’t just a quick fix but has the potential to reduce symptoms of depression long term.
It’s all about Tempo
The tempo of a piece of music is the speed of the underlying beat.
The tempo of a song may be one aspect of music that is responsible for it’s effect on our moods; for example in yoga or a meditation class, music will often have a lower tempo which creates a feeling of balance and calms the body.
However, slow tempo may not be good for everyone, a recent study showed slower tempos can have a negative affect on those with diagnosed depression or elect a sense of sadness in a subject, in these cases an upbeat tune maybe more beneficial.
Musician will often say that a fast tempo in major is often up-lifting and slow tempo songs in minor will generally have a more depressing effect.
Can Music Make You Smarter?
Music doesn’t necessary improve our cognition but it can improve our emotions and reduce stress which naturally results in an improved ability to work through complex tasks and improve focus.
Recommendations
- Music preference is very personal- I use Spotify to create my own playlist.
- All sorts of music can be soothing, but Tibetan singing bowls encourage the brain to enter a meditative and peaceful state.
- If you or your family members are suffering from mental health issues please always talk to your doctors and health professionals.
Jess’s song Recommendations
1.The XX- Intro: Relaxing
2. Walking on Sunshine: Mood Boosting.
Ashlee’s song Recommendations
1. Chain Smokers- Closer: Mood Boosting
2. Daft Punk- One More Time: Mood Boosting
