Music: a 2-minute solution for instant joy and pleasure!
Music is an integral part of human experience and has been for the eons that we have existed. Swaying to Taylor Swift to raise dampened spirits and shedding a tear to Lewis Capaldi when your life is going downhill are some things we have done.
Music is a ubiquitous part of our life, enhancing our mood, bonding us with others, and creating phenomenal emotional responses.
While we can plainly see and notice this in our daily lives, there is, in fact, immense research investigating this domain that scientifically proves music’s impact on our mood and how it can do so.
Durham University delved deeper into the relationship between music and mood. Over several surveys and questionnaires, they could conclude people’s experiences with sad music.
An overall consensus showed a positive emotional experience when listening to sad music, as compared to the negative emotions one might have guessed sad music would elicit (a minority did, in fact).
Researchers proposed that sad music could replace lost relationships, a sort of stand-in for an empathetic friend who understands exactly what you’re going through and provides a sense that you are not alone.
Besides emotional pain, research has also established a clear link between how music can help alleviate physical pain. How? How is it possible that a sad song, or one with increasingly funky pop beats, can make you feel happier and more relaxed – physically and mentally?
There are two simple scientific explanations for this. The funky, upbeat bass that you hear in your music syncs with your heartbeat, making you want to move around and dance.
Calmer music with more relaxing sounds help relax your nerves and clear your mind, easing stress. Another explanation involves your brain; listening to music lights up a part of your brain known as the reward centre. The enjoyment of music releases dopamine resulting in an intense feeling of pleasure.
A cognitive explanation for this phenomenon involves our memories. When we associate music with a particular event, person, or time in our life, the emotions we feel upon hearing it once again are a direct product of the experiences we had with this.
So, the next time you fail a test or fight with your brother, crank up the latest TikTok hit song, and you’re sure to feel so much better!
