For some years now, mental health has been a more openly discussed topic than it was even a few decades ago. And it's a good thing.
Many times in history, we have seen music as a way to express struggles, sorrows and revolt against social injustice. But we don't talk enough about how music can help us feel better in life: music is a real natural remedy for mental health.
Today, let's discover the benefits of music on mental health:
Music can help you reduce stress
Many studies have shown that listening to music can lower your blood pressure and your heart rate (both heightened when you’re stressed), and even lower stress hormones.
How so you may ask? "The systematic review of Moore (2013) on the neurological effects of music on emotional processes indicated that musical improvisation and music listening could deactivate the amygdala, which may decrease the intensity of stress-related emotional states and psychophysiological arousal." states Martina de Witte in her essay "Effects of music interventions on stress-related outcomes: a systematic review and two meta-analyses".
Music has the power to evoke many feelings - because of that, it manifests understanding and through it, you can find solutions to cope with your issues.
Music can help you express your feelings
How many times in life you've failed to simply express you felt? Even to your closer friends? Well, music has rarely failed to do so.
As we recently stated in our previous instagram vlog, music can be a way to cope with your feelings. Through chords, through lyrics, music is an effective way to express what you feel without even having to open your mouth - listening is enough and that's where the power of this art lies.
Music can boost self expression
Not only music can express feeling but also opinions and most of all, your whole personality.
"Creative Self-Expression While simply listening to music can reduce stress, creating music has the added benefit of expression and involvement, which focuses attention. Active participation in playing music and music appreciation has been shown to increase self-esteem." states Percussion Play in their article "The Expression of Emotion in Music".
It is not secret that without self-esteem or self confidence, showing to the world who you are can be difficult. As music reduces this constant pressure, it also gives you the courage to stand up for yourself and who you are.
Music gives you that feeling of belonging to a group
Most of the work done in order to take care of your mental health is individual. However, it doesn't exclude other people's positive impact - that's why knowing that you belong to a place, a group of friends, a community is important. Know, that you are never alone.
Throughout the centuries, this feeling of belonging to a group has been translated through national anthems that be sung, played with instruments. Another creation made thanks to music existence.
National anthems are here to remind people that they'll always have a home, a fellow citizen to understand you and to support you. Through musical national anthems, we can bring people together.
Music can benefit deaf people
Do you remember Ludwig van Beethoven? He was (and still is) one of the world's greatest classical music composers. Yet he was just beginning to go deaf when he composed one of his most famous pieces of music: Moonlight Sonata.
Case studies have shown that practicing music can help people with hearing loss express emotions and improve cognitive abilities.
Music emanates vibrations that can allow deaf people to reconnect with their hearing. Indeed, this was the case deaf singer Mandy Harvey, who used to stand barefoot on the floor in order to feel these vibrations and to still practice with talent his music.
Mental health is a primary topic that matters for us. As music creators, we hope to support people feeling better in their lives and this, while practicing and sharing our passion for this unique art.