Almost 60 million Americans struggled with their mental health in 2024—a figure that has been rising steadily in recent years. While there are many different reasons why you may fall into this category, finding effective ways to better your mental health and find peace in the midst of chaos is key. Though there are many different avenues to pursue in this regard, such as reaching out to a therapist, playing or listening to music can also be a great source of relief! Read on to find out more.
How can music improve your mental health?
There are many different ways in which music can improve your mental health. Below are just a few examples!
Music can lower your stress levels. Various scientific studies have found that listening to music can significantly reduce your body's production of cortisol, which is otherwise known as the 'stress' hormone. As such, it can be a powerful tool when it comes to relaxing and unwinding.
Music can provide you with a distraction. Music, whether you're playing an instrument yourself or listening to your favorite songs on a loop, can also provide you with a distraction from your thoughts and feelings.
Music can help you to express yourself. One of the main reasons why we deal with mental health struggles is because we find it hard to talk about how we are feeling. Sometimes, finding the right words to express ourselves can feel near impossible, which is why music can come in handy. This is because music can prove to be an incredibly beneficial outlet for self-expression, which in turn, can help you to come to terms with difficult thoughts and feelings.
Music can improve sleep quality. Do you struggle to get enough sleep each night? Music may be able to help with that, with some studies finding that listening to music can
activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps the body relax and prepare for sleep.
How do you feel the benefits of music in your daily life?
If you want to start feeling the benefits of music in your everyday life, there are many different routes to pursue.
For example, you could begin by starting (and ending) each day by listening to music. In the morning, listen to songs that fill you with a burst of energy and enthusiasm so that you're able to walk out of the door with your head held high. In the evening, focus on calmer, slower-paced songs that will help you to relax and wind down.
You may also benefit from learning to play an instrument, as this can only heighten many of the benefits listed above. Not only that, but it will also enable you to develop a wide range of transferable skills that you can apply to other areas of your life. For example, as learning to play an instrument requires a high level of focus and attention to detail, you may find that these skills then transfer to your work, too.
There are plenty of different instruments to choose from, so try to focus on those that excite you the most. Before purchasing any instrument, do plenty of research so that you feel as confident as possible in your purchase. For example, if you're looking into buying a keyboard, you may want to research specific brands ahead of time, such as nord keyboards.
You should also make sure that you set up a music room in your home. This way, you will have a dedicated space to practice and refine your skill without having to sit in a busy area such as your living room. If possible, try to soundproof these spaces so that you do not disturb others, especially if you have to practice at night or early in the morning.
As with any skill, the more time you dedicate to learning to play your instrument, the better you'll become. As such, it's worthwhile to dedicate a specific amount of time in your schedule to this each week, such as two to three hours when first starting out. Remember, this can be divided throughout the week instead of committing to a mammoth session.
In short, there are many different ways in which music can help you to better your mental health, from providing you with a distraction to allowing you to express yourself more clearly. However, it's worth noting that this hobby is best paired with other mental health boosting endevors, such as speaking to a therapist or confiding in someone that you love and trust.
MORE ON THE FLASH LIST
