Music influences a large part of our daily lives. Music can help change our moods, evoke emotions, and even motivate us. Rituals, traditions, and celebrations from birth to death involve music in any form or genre. The terms health benefits and classical music is often encountered in one sentence. This is because listening to classical music can improve your physical and mental wellbeing.
Researchers from Finland were particularly interested in how classical music is linked to our health. They discovered that classical music has positive effects on the brain’s cognitive processes such as learning and memory, and dopamine production. They also discovered that SNCA, primary gene involved in Parkinson’s Disease, is affected by music therapy. However, these effects were only seen in individuals who are musically inclined, suggesting that a certain familiarity with classical music is needed to induce these effects.
But the advent of technology makes classical Music more accessible to everyone. Nowadays, it is common for people each have their own portable music players and even portable speakers. So set up your own music therapy routine to experience for yourself the various health benefits that classical music can give you.
Induce Relaxation and Deep Sleep
Put on some classical music and you will feel relaxed in minutes. Classical music is a very potent tool in calming your mind so the body feels more relaxed and at ease. It has even proven effective in helping people suffering from insomnia and anxiety disorders.
A study shows that college students suffering from insomnia were able to attain better sleep quality after listening to classical music for 45 minutes instead of the random sleep aids and medications that they normally take.
Reduce Pain and Speed Healing
Classical music helps reprogram the brain and help patients focus on the soothing music instead of the pain. It can be used in pain management for post-operative patients, cancer patients, and those suffering from chronic pain of any origin. Studies also show that music therapy can help speed the healing of damaged tissues from surgery or injury. Another research in London further showed that patients who listen to classical music take less pain medications than those who do not.
Relieve Stress and Improve Mood
Research suggests that listening to music, classical or otherwise, has the same physiological effect as a massage. Music has positive effects in the brain that help relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression. In fact, they are currently testing the use of Mozart to lower driver aggression in Germany. So, if you are starting to feel anxious, take a deep breath and plug in Mozart to avoid making a bad situation worse.
Enhance Mental Acuity and Memory
Classical music is known to aid in learning and memory retention. In fact, numerous studies have shown that students fare better in examinations and take less time to finish the tests when they listen to classical music while studying. Several studies also show that it can boost one’s IQ, and that listening to classical music during pregnancy can help in their unborn child’s brain development.
The term “Mozart Effect” was coined for this reason. A recent study found that Mozart’s L’allegro con spirito triggers parts of the brain linked to memory, reasoning, and problem solving, while Beethoven’s Fur Elise did not spark any significant change in brain activity. Adding classical music to your daily routine, especially Mozart, will benefit your mind and body in more ways than you can imagine. It would even be a good idea to invest in a backpack speaker so you can always listen to classical music anywhere you go.
As Billy Joel put it, “Music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music.”
Michelle Gonzalez has been writing for SMEs across the United States, Canada, Australia and the UK for the last five years. She is a highly-experienced blogger and SEO copywriter, writing business blogs for various industries such as marketing, law, health and wellness, beauty, and education.
