- Jul 20, 2016
- 6,572
- 20,209
So, the music streaming site, deezer, commissioned a study about music and its relation to a healthy body and mind. I did not look at the study and definitely have some qualms about this site as they want to collect all your personal data from your devices to create your perfect playlists. Yeah, everything in me screams noooooo about that.
However, I'm intrigued with the general idea. We all are aware of how music influences our moods. I keep some favorites on my music tab for inspiration and mostly pick-me-ups (wrote about it here in the thread "Just a bit of elevation". Also, there is info about calming dogs here on the thread about cello music and dogs. So, I think we would agree with the overall premise.
The commissioned study took it way farther with RDA - recommended daily allowances of music types.
I find songs come and go depending on what is needed. There was time when my daughter was in her late teens that things were not going well for either of us. We each latched on to the Wallflowers' song, One Headlight. So many times we were driving with the windows down, blasting this song and singing with all our might. It always worked because we laughed and smiled because we knew together we could always "drive it home with one headlight".
The study goes on to look at music and anger. Some people prefer ACDC and others, Bob Marly.
Have you all noticed different songs that pop in when you need them most? With that, I'll leave you with the Wallflowers.
However, I'm intrigued with the general idea. We all are aware of how music influences our moods. I keep some favorites on my music tab for inspiration and mostly pick-me-ups (wrote about it here in the thread "Just a bit of elevation". Also, there is info about calming dogs here on the thread about cello music and dogs. So, I think we would agree with the overall premise.
The commissioned study took it way farther with RDA - recommended daily allowances of music types.
The global study of over 7,500 people, looked at the relationship between music and our mental and physical well-being – by studying various factors including styles, mood and genre. The experiment concluded that, whatever your preferred choice of music, in order to feel the emotional benefits of different music styles you need to listen, on average to:
- 14 minutes of uplifting music (user’s choice) to feel happy (18% of your musical RDA)
- 16 minutes of calming music (user’s choice) to feel relaxed (20.5% of your music RDA)
- 16 minutes of music (user’s choice) to overcome sadness (20.5% of your music RDA)
- 15 minutes of motivating music (user’s choice) to aid concentration (19% of your music RDA)
- 17 minutes of music (user’s choice) to help manage anger (22% of your music RDA)
The study analyzed how people use music to process emotions. Relaxation was the most common emotional benefit (90%), followed by happiness (82%) as well as overcoming sadness (47%). A further third (32%) of participants used music to help them concentrate, while over a quarter (28%) deal with anger through their tunes.
The study found that on average, people should listen to music for 11 minutes to enjoy its therapeutic benefits. The only exception was happiness – participants reported feeling happier within just five minutes of listening to joyful tunes. Participants also reported feeling more satisfied with life (86%), having more energy (89%) and laughing more (65%) after listening to ‘feel-good’ songs.
Lyz Cooper, of the British Academy of Sound Therapy (BAST) says “There are certain properties of music that affect the mind and body. Dedicating time each day to listen to music that triggers different emotions can have a hugely beneficial impact on our well-being. Listening to happy songs increases blood flow to areas of the brain associated with reward, and decreases flow to the amygdala, the part of the brain associated with fear.”
I find songs come and go depending on what is needed. There was time when my daughter was in her late teens that things were not going well for either of us. We each latched on to the Wallflowers' song, One Headlight. So many times we were driving with the windows down, blasting this song and singing with all our might. It always worked because we laughed and smiled because we knew together we could always "drive it home with one headlight".
hey-ey-ey
come on try a little
nothing is forever
there's got to be something better than in the middle
me and cinderella
put it all together
we could drive it home
with one headlight
The study goes on to look at music and anger. Some people prefer ACDC and others, Bob Marly.
A third of respondents (28%) reported that Rock music helps in processing feelings of anger, with ‘Highway to Hell’ by ACDC revealed as the top song choice to listen to. However, this was followed closely by classical music (17%), with Bob Marley’s ‘One Love’ also making the list of top ten songs to combat anger.
The study showed that while a third (31%) of us prefer music with a fast tempo when feeling angry, another third favour slow-tempo tunes. This difference comes down to our genetic make-up. Rousing music can increase heart rate, blood pressure and emotional response, which for some listeners can help them make process their angry emotions. However, for others, it can be a barrier to overcoming them.
Have you all noticed different songs that pop in when you need them most? With that, I'll leave you with the Wallflowers.
Last edited: