The Amazing Hidden Benefits of Music
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir blog is all about the music. The articles on the blog cover a wide variety of topics, including the history of hymns and children’s songs, behind the scenes, music videos, tour and concert-related news, guest artists, scientific music studies, general conference, and inspirational posts. In some way or another, they all tie back to music.
In the past we’ve published many articles relating to scientific music studies to help benefit the lives of our readers, such as the following:
“Music is essential to many of our lives. We listen to it when waking up, while in transit, at work, and with our friends. For many, music is like a constant companion. It can bring us joy and motivate us, accompany us through difficult times, and alleviate our worries.” —David M. Greenberg, Psychology Today
A recent Reader’s Digest article titled “21 Hidden Health Benefits Music Lovers Wish You Knew,” lists some surprising facts on the ways music can affect our lives. Here are some of the great benefits listed in the article, followed by a link to the full article.
Mood Music Makes You Eat Less
This is a benefit that everyone will love. A Cornell study published in the Psychological Reports journal reported when soft lighting and jazz music were added to a restaurant setting, diners ate 18 percent less.
Playing an Instrument May Protect Brain Sharpness Later in Life
It may be time to get your piano tuned or change the strings on that old acoustic guitar in your closet. According to the Journal of Neuroscience, “The more years middle-aged and older adults spent playing musical instruments as children, the faster their brains responded to speech sounds during an experiment.”
Your Work Will Get Done Faster
This will make you want to put your headphones on more often while you’re working. Studies show that listening to music at work helps you get your work done faster, especially if it’s a repetitive task.
Stress Levels Will Go Down
A 2010 study shows that music lowers the stress hormone cortisol, which helps drop anxiety levels in a similar way that massage therapy does.
Music Makes You More Creative
“I’d love to be less creative,” said no one, ever. On a serious note, according to research from the Netherlands and Australia published in 2017, people who listen to happy, upbeat music come up with more creative solutions. That sounds like a win-win.
Music Gives You Power
If you want to be faster and stronger, add music to your workout. According to a study of college-age men, they were more explosive and faster at doing squats and sprints while listening to their favorite songs.
It Aids Sleep
If you are having trouble sleeping, listen to some music. A study in Taiwan revealed that “seniors with sleep problems who listened to 45 minutes of soft, slow music before bed reported a 35 percent improvement in the duration of their shut-eye and less dysfunction throughout the day.”
Make sure to check out the rest of the benefits of music in the full Reader’s Digest article, and check out the videos below to start reaping the advantages of including more music in your life.