Music Matters

By: Kate M. Serrano

Perhaps Bob Marley was right when he said "One good thing about music, is when it hits you, you feel no pain." Studies suggest that music not only helps us cope with pain — it can also benefit our physical and mental health in numerous other ways. Anyone who has ever wiped tears away from their eyes listening to a relatable sad song will know how powerful simple notes and chords can be.

Everyone reacts to music in different ways. One individual may love heavy metal while others find pleasure listening to Mozart. Whatever the preference may be, studies have shown that plugging in to your favourite music could help melt away a bad mood. Music triggers the release of dopamine, the feel-good chemical in the brain.

If you’re into running, music helps you pick up your pace and run faster. A study at Brunel University in West London has shown that music can help increase endurance by as much as 15 per cent, helping to lower the perception of effort during exercise, as well as increasing energy efficiency by between one and three per cent. Again, this is so because of the release of endorphins— our natural 'feel good' hormones that lift our mood and give us motivation to carry on longer with exercise. Focusing on your favorite album may not let you notice you just ran an extra mile.

For many people suffering from memory loss the spoken language has become meaningless. Music can act as an outlet for expressing things that they are unable to put into words. It awakens memory and can help patients remember tunes or songs and get in touch with their history. Music can be a great pick-me-up when you are feeling stressed too. Tuning in to your favourite songs can be incredibly soothing and help to reduce anxiety.