Music: The Escape We All Look For

Berthold Auerbach once said, “music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life”.

Nothing else can perfectly describe the placid effect music has on our minds. Music is indeed the literature of our hearts and is a mode to express our feelings when words fail to do so. On the days you feel anxious, depressed or burned out, listening to your favourite music can be extremely helpful, in ways you may not know about. When it hits you, your pain and worries will seem to fade away. It is that strong of a tool, one which is always available to you. No wonder, break up anthems seem to be grossing all the time, music can heal broken hearts too. Amazing, isn't it?

Let us get into the effects music has on your mental health:

1. Uplifts your mood: listening to music causes an increase in levels of serotonin, the feel-good hormone and can make you happy and feel free. It brings out positivity in you and makes you feel optimistic.
2. Improves focus: music that has a tempo of 60 beats per minute is scientifically proven to increase the brain’s ability to process information. Both upbeat and downbeat music can improve one's memory.
3. Improves sleep: listening to calming music right before going to bed has proven to be very efficient inducing sleep in insomniacs.
4. Can reduce symptoms of depression: music therapy, a topic which will be covered in detail further in this article is scientifically known to treat a variety of mental health disorders, especially depression.
5. Helps to manage pain: music therapy is used by some medical professionals to treat chronic pain. It also helps to deal with depression.

What is music therapy?

Music therapy utilises music as a powerful tool to improve the state of one's mental well being. It is often used as an alternative to therapy/ cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). It involves listening to music, playing music on instruments, singing and dancing too.

Getting into the scientific aspect of this- in our brain, the cerebellum processes rhythm, temporal lobes process varying pitches and the frontal lobes process the emotional signals created while listening to music. An interesting fact is that a particular part of the brain called the nucleus accumbens, commonly called the reward centre of the brain, can produce strong signals of pleasure, like goosebumps in response to powerful music.

Music therapy helps those that find it difficult to communicate with others or people suffering from dementia, even. Music therapy helps people in discovering the origins of each music piece, making them feel more connected to its roots. People begin to express their minds in the most creative way. Meaningful lyrics help patients process difficult memories and trauma that they have been through in their lives and have a soothing effect.

How does music help anxiety?

Music calms your mind making it a serene place. It reduces blood pressure and the magnitude of anxiety and panic attacks. It is known to reduce the levels of adrenaline and cortisol commonly known as stress hormones thereby, reducing the feelings of stress and anxiety.

How does music help depression?

Listening to music helps to elevate dopamine levels in the body that helps one to cope with depression by uplifting one’s mood and relieving pain. It is not a definitive cure for depression but can temporarily be a relief, improve mood, build connections with people and express feelings and talents.

Music therapy, albeit temporary, can have a multitude of positive benefits on one's mental health so much so that it is used in hospitals. With mental health disorders, it becomes difficult to express yourself, you feel stuck in a cage and it seems like nothing can get you out of it. But music, my friend, can help you shatter these cages, give your soul the liberty it deserves and help to express all your pent up feelings and ultimately help build stronger connections with the people around you. It must definitely be a consideration if you are going through such a similar situation. Blast your favourite music and just connect with yourself!