8 Benefits of Listening to Music

It has been proven that music dramatically helps improve people’s mental wellbeing and boost physical health. For example, music lessons can help raise our IQs and keep our minds sharper, particularly as we get older. 

Below are 8 scientifically proven benefits showing why we should use music more and more in the classroom.

1) Music makes you happier

Your brain releases a ‘happy hormone’, dopamine when you listen to music as neuroscientist, as discovered in the study 'The neuroscience of musical chill' by The Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital.

2) Music enhances running performance

Runners who listened to fast or slow motivational music completed the first 800 metres of their run faster than those that listened to calm music or ran without. If you are interested in running, listen to music to improve your ability and here are some running tips to help you start. 

3) Music lowers stress and improves health

Listening to music can decrease levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. A study showed that people’s immune systems were boosted when they actively participated in making music by playing various percussion instruments and singing.

So during a stressful day, turn on the radio to help you calm down and for maximum healing benefits, be sure to sing along and tap your feet to the beat.

4) Music helps you sleep better

A study showed that students who listened to relaxing classical music for 45 minutes before bedtime slept significantly better than those who slept with an audiobook or listened to nothing at all.

5) Music reduces depression

Over 350 million people across the world suffer from depression and 90% of them also experience insomnia. Sleep research found that symptoms of depression decreased largely with those who listened to classical music.

So if you are having a challenging day, lift your spirits with some classical or meditative music.

6) Music elevates your mood while driving

I’m sure you will all agree with this one that music helps our moods and also helps us concentrate better when driving. According to a study in the Netherlands, it found music can positively impact your mood while driving and consequently lead to safer driving than if you weren’t listening to anything at all.

7) Music strengthens learning and memory

Researchers have found that music can help you learn and recall information better. Participants who were musicians learned better with neutral music and tested better with positive music whereas non-musicians learned better with positive music and tested better with neutral music. 

Either way, music helped to strengthen participant’s learning and memory.

8) Music increases verbal intelligence

A study has shown that after one month of music lessons with children between the ages of 4 and 6, 90% significantly improved their ability to understand words and explain their meaning. Other research found that musically trained women and children outperformed those who weren’t involved in music when completing a verbal memory test.

As you can see, there are so many benefits to music and it has become an effective universal language; according to new research, music “can communicate basic human feelings regardless of the listener’s culture and ethnic background”. 

Perhaps your students would benefit from participating in a fully funded music project? 

'Create' is a multi-arts charity and are delivering a ‘Creative: Connection’ music project which is aimed at bringing students with autism together. Under the guidance of Creates’ professional musicians, students explore music making and song writing, creating their own original pieces as well as covering existing songs.

This exciting project will certainly bring something new to your student’s experiences and development. If you want to learn more about their projects and how your students can get involved then have a look at http://createarts.org.uk/.

If you are interested in empowering young people through music and the creative arts, then view our latest Music Teacher vacancies today.

Do you use music in the classroom to enhance learning? If you don't make sure you have a look at our blog on the Benefits of Music in the Classroom.

Source: http://www.lifehack.org/317747/scientists-find-15-amazing-benefits-listening-music