The Health Benefits of Music for Brain Health and Wellness

We have all felt the powerful influence of music at some point in our lives. Did you know that there are health benefits of music? Whether it’s a favorite song on the radio, attending a live concert or performance, or perhaps even creating music in some form, we can safely say that music carries an impact. Have you also noticed how a song can bring back memories as if you were back in the very time and place when you first heard that song? Music is powerful! But why exactly is that?

Music Stimulates the Brain

Interestingly, when it comes to brain activity, music fires up the brain! There are very few other activities that stimulate the brain quite like music. Listening to or playing music provides a whole-brain workout!

Some research suggests that music may positively influence stress levels and certain markers of immune function. And, a fun fact, it really doesn’t matter the style of music one listens to. What matters more is that you have a positive view or relationship with the music. That positive impression is what drives the benefit-producing brain responses.

Your Brain Decodes Music

And, while listening to music may seem as simple as finding a streaming service we enjoy, it’s anything but simple for your brain. Music has many complex elements for your brain to decode, including structural, mathematical, and architectural. Your brain is doing a lot of behind-the-scenes work when it comes to listening to music, but it’s also very good for your brain and is what creates that brain workout we mentioned earlier.

Music and Stress

Music does more than improve your mood. Listening to music you enjoy can help reduce stress and promote relaxation. Since stress affects digestion, inflammation, sleep, and overall wellness, finding simple ways to relax is an important part of maintaining good health. Many people use music as part of their daily self-care routine, whether that means listening while exercising, cooking, working, meditating, or winding down before bed.

Scientists often refer to the relationship between the brain and digestive system as the gut-brain axis. Chronic stress can affect digestion, inflammation, sleep, and the balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut. Activities that promote relaxation, such as listening to calming music, meditation, prayer, and spending time outdoors, may help support both emotional wellness and digestive health. While music is not a treatment for digestive disorders, reducing stress can be an important part of maintaining overall health.

How Sound Affects Us

Researcher Julian Treasure explains that sound affects us in four different ways. His TED Talk provides a fascinating look at why certain sounds energize us while others increase stress.

Physiologically

Loud or intrusive sounds can increase cortisol, the body’s stress hormone, while calming sounds may promote relaxation.

Psychologically

Natural sounds, such as birdsong, rainfall, and ocean waves, often evoke feelings of peace and calm, while sirens or harsh noises can trigger stress responses.

Cognitively

Background noise and distractions can affect concentration and productivity. Creating a quieter environment may improve focus and mental performance.

Behaviorally

Music influences our emotions, mood, and even our choices. Retail stores, restaurants, and fitness centers often use music intentionally because of its impact on behavior.

Watch Julian Treasure’s TED Talk on how sound affects us:

Create the Healthy Habit of Music

Healthy habits are often the small things we practice each day consistently. Music can become a simple wellness habit that supports emotional health, stress management, focus, and relaxation.

Additional Health Benefits of Music

Beyond improving mood and creating feelings of enjoyment, research has shown that listening to music may offer several additional health benefits. Including reducing anxiety, blood pressure, and pain, and may help improve sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, and memory.

So, how can you reap more of the health benefits of music? Here are a few ideas.

Use Music Strategically

Match your music to the activity that you’re doing, whether it’s cleaning (find something upbeat), relaxing after a long day at work (soothing vibes), or you’re trying to memorize some facts, use music to your advantage!

Use Music as a Cue

Music can be a powerful tool for reinforcing positive feelings and behaviors. For instance, you can create a soothing playlist that can help trigger calming emotions for a child when it’s bedtime or a series of songs to set the mood for family chore time.

Use Music to Shape Your Mood

We all know we want music to fit our mood. That’s exactly why we feel discontent when we can’t find a song to match how we are feeling. Start with a song that matches your current feeling and then gradually change the music to help you get to the mood you’re hoping to manifest. This principle is actually often used by music therapists.

Conclusion

Music is more than entertainment. It can support emotional wellness, relaxation, focus, sleep, and stress management. Combined with other healthy habits such as movement, good nutrition, social connection, and time outdoors, music can become part of a lifestyle that supports overall health.

If stress has become a constant part of your life, consider exploring the Managing Stress Workshop or our Nervous System Reset. And if you’re looking to build healthy habits that support your body and mind, The Healthy Habits Challenge provides a simple step-by-step approach to getting started.