The Benefits of Music
Introduction
The oldest unearthed instrument is dated at over 40,000 years old. The tradition of singing together in unison has been regarded as sacred through the rise and fall of countless civilizations. Kids share pairs of earbuds on the bus with friends. There’s no doubt about it: music is etched into the human soul.
The Science Behind It
While listening to music is a relaxing and enjoyable pastime enjoyed by billions worldwide, its benefits may go deeper than many realize. Researchers have discovered that some of music’s most notable benefits are social– it helps to create a feeling of cohesion and connectedness. Anyone who has attended a concert certainly knows this to be true! Yet, the benefits of music are individual, as well: listening to music engages the brain, and can even improve memory, slow cognitive decline, and help to treat mental illness— many similar benefits to reading! Music can also be used to reach people with communication disabilities, and music therapy has shown to be effective in certain patients with PTSD or low-functioning autism. How can this be? It is because “[m]usic [...] changes the brain. Neurological researchers have found that listening to music triggers the release of several neurochemicals that play a role in brain function and mental health” (Stanborough). Music can even help boost overall mental and physical health!
Don’t Take Away Music
The band Taveres sings “Don’t take away the music/ it’s the only thing I’ve got.” No one is trying to take away music, of course– that would be unheard of! However, things like music are growing, more and more, to be seen as a luxury, something to squeeze in on drives or in precious free time. The pressure to be productive 24/7, combined with countless things vying for our attention in this day and age, is certainly a detriment to intentional listening. Add the rise of podcasts and apps like TikTok into the mix, and music is in danger of taking a backseat. It falls to those who love music and fight to keep it a part of their daily lives to cry out, on behalf of all of society, “Don’t take away music!”
The Most Beloved Pastime
Of course, music is in little danger of falling out of popularity entirely: a survey showed that 90-93% of the global population listens to music (that’s 7.11 billion people!), and that the average listening time per year hovers around 961 hours per person. That’s 18.4 hours per week! That number rises a bit every year, due to the increasing availability of streaming services globally. The majority of adults listen to music daily, but, unsurprisingly, the pastime is most popular among teenagers. All in all, music is very much universally beloved, and is not in danger of falling out of the public eye any time soon.
Conclusion
Music is truly a beloved pastime, and rightly so. So, next time you’re feeling fatigued, upset, or melancholy, put on your favorite album, or call up a friend and have an EDM dance party. Remember, whenever you do, you’re helping your mind, body, and soul!
Sources:
Stanborough, Rebecca Joy. “The Benefits of Listening to Music.” Healthline Media, 1 Apr. 2020, https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-music#cognitive-benefits. Accessed 21 June 2023.
Ferjan, Matija. “HeadphonesAddict.” HeadphonesAddict, 9 May 2022, https://headphonesaddict.com/listening-to-music-statistics/. Accessed 21 June 2023.
