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Reasons You Should Listen to Music

Given the choice, should you listen to music or not? Researchers have discovered several new reasons why you should. Studies in the U.S., Canada and Britain confirm that listening to either soothing or upbeat music can have positive effects, both psychological and physical.

  1. Relaxation

    • A 2009 study led by Dr. Damir Janigro at the Cleveland Clinic found that music can ease anxiety even in moments of great stress, such as during surgical procedures. The study showed a decrease in neuron activity (i.e., calmed nerves) in neurosurgery patients who listened to melodic music, thus allowing them to relax without the use of anesthesia.

    Creativity

    • Listening to upbeat music has been shown to improve mood, and with improved mood comes increased creativity. A 2010 study conducted at the University of Western Ontario showed that participants' moods were boosted by a lively Mozart piece. These participants then did better on creative exercises than those students who listened to sad music (a selection from the "Schindler's List" soundtrack) or to no music at all.

    Heart

    • Enjoying your favorite music is probably good for your heart. According to a 2008 study at the University of Maryland Medical Center, enjoyable music helps blood vessel function by causing tissue in the inner lining of blood vessels to dilate (expand), which increases blood flow. This in turn promotes vascular health, which can lessen the likelihood of a heart attack.

    Fitness

    • A 2008 study by Dr. Costas Karageorghis at Brunel University in Britain found that listening to music can boost the capacity for fitness training. During workouts, test subjects' endurance levels rose by an average of 15 percent while listening to music. The study also showed that music lowered the perception of hard work while increasing the enjoyment of exercise.

    Considerations

    • While there are many benefits to listening to music, be careful not to enjoy your music too loudly. A 2008 report done for the European Union concluded that prolonged exposure to music at a high volume can cause permanent hearing loss. The report urged consumers to be especially conscious of volume levels when using personal music players, as ear-bud type headphones are designed to maximize sound exposure on the eardrum.

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