Music as a tool for emotional and physical well-being
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Music has long been a source of enjoyment, but growing research also supports its use as a therapeutic tool to reduce stress, promote healing and improve emotional and physical well-being. Recent research demonstrates that incorporating music therapy alongside traditional therapeutic tools can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, promote emotional regulation, improve sleep quality and aid in trauma recovery when compared to therapeutic interventions that do not use music therapy.
Various ways of using music in a restorative way include listening to music, playing a musical instrument, writing music, singing along or moving to music. Music can have powerful effects on both our emotional and physical well-being. There is evidence that music stimulates the production of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is associated with pleasure and motivation in our brains. With functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a 2011 study demonstrated that dopamine increased in the brain when listeners experienced positive emotions in the same areas of the brain where pleasure is experienced when food and other sorts of cravings are satisfied. These findings may shed light on why music has played such a central role in shaping culture and has been a source of pleasure throughout history. Music is a meaningful part of human experience, including our most significant moments, such as weddings, birthday celebrations, funerals and religious or spiritual gatherings.
Listening to music also has positive effects on stress reduction and physiological functions. One study examining front-line nurses, a profession that has long been marked by high rates of stress and occupational burn-out, found that listening to music during breaks significantly reduced stress levels. In this study, participants were divided into two groups. One group listened to soothing music of their choice for 30 minutes while the other group rested quietly in a chair for the same length of time. When outcomes were compared, nurses who listened to music had lower perceived stress levels, lower levels of cortisol in their bloodstream and lower heart rates when compared to the group that rested in the chair.
Researchers have also explored the role of music therapy within cancer treatment and have found that music-based interventions may help reduce anxiety, improve emotional well-being and enhance quality of life for those undergoing chemotherapy. Recent studies have also looked at the effects of music interventions on caregivers, who often experience significant stress and strain during the cancer treatment process. Findings suggest that music may provide opportunities for emotional regulation, relaxation, connection and stress relief for both patients and caregivers.
Whether through listening, singing, playing, songwriting or formal music therapy, music is one of the most accessible tools available to help improve emotional and physical well-being. As the evidence continues to indicate, music has evolved from just entertainment or background noise into a meaningful component of emotional wellness and therapeutic care when used intentionally.
MSU Extension offers many programs that can help with stress management, including Mindfulness for Better Sleep and RELAX: Alternatives to Anger. The MSU Extension Mindfulness for Better Living page also has a variety of mindfulness exercises that you can explore and revisit whenever you like.
