Right now I have a Spotify station called “Study Music” playing. When I’m mopping the floor, I like Erasure (yes, I did come of age in the 80’s). I’ve taught my boys all the words to Bohemian Rhapsody, including the Wayne-and-Garth compulsory head banging at the intro to the rock section. I play music whenever I can, although I do appreciate silence more since I had kids, so that’s OK too. Mostly, though, music. 
Music is so important to me that I had a 90-minute cassette tape filled with possible wedding songs before I even met my husband. I didn’t care so much about the colors, the dress, etc., but I had the music already chosen. I also don’t particularly care what kind of funeral people plan for me, if any, after I pass – but just in case there’s music, I have it already picked out. (I don’t trust anyone else to really pick the music that reflects me…maybe a bit of a control issue there? Really, I’m just afraid someone’s going to pick “Wind Beneath My Wings” and I’m going to have to come back and haunt them. I’d rather have “Do You Realize,” by the Flaming Lips).
Intuitively, we know music is important. It’s important both culturally and personally. There’s a whole discipline in psychotherapy devoted to music therapy. There are some concrete ways music can help us heal:
1. Reducing blood pressure
Dr. Mark Miller at University of Maryland has been researching the effects of music on physiological responses. He’s found that listening to music that pleases us actually relaxes and opens blood vessels. Listening to music that makes you anxious constricts the blood vessels. Interestingly, the participants chose their own music based on what brought them joy, not on what researchers decided was joyful or “happy” music. Meditative music increased dilation by about 11%, while joyful music increased it by 26%.
Also interesting, researchers are working on using specific kinds of music to help retrain injured brains.
2. Building Community
Social outlets, chances for connections with others, are so important. But not everyone is up for a mixer where you stand around and chat. A wonderful way to gain that connection is to either play or sing with others. JoAnn Jordin, a Music Therapist, talks about the different ways music can build community.
There’s a crazy number of choirs listed on Choral.net if you’re looking for one near you.
Many organizations have programs for parents and kids (usually preschoolers) to enjoy music together. One of my favorites to do with my boys was Music Together.
3. Increase Dopamine
Dopamine is a chemical in the brain, and it’s involved in the reward and pleasure feedback loops, so it’s heavily involved in pleasure and motivation. Lots of things increase dopamine: Beer, sex, chocolate and music.
10 Songs that Will Get You High
I haven’t looked at the original research, but Dr. Joel Robertson lists types of music that he says will boost other brain chemicals, like serotonin: Music to Balance Your Brain
4. Getting Your Heart Rate Up
Anyone who’s done cardiovascular exercise to music knows that what you listen to through your earbuds can make or break a workout. Enjoying the music as well as the rate (BPM) of the music has a huge effect on how hard you work. I have some bookmarked sites to find music that helped me find music that corresponded with the speed I wanted to run:
Motion Traxx: has a good app for downloading the right beat and length of a run
5. Honoring Others and Grieving
From Music Therapist Rachelle Norman: “Soloist Fred Knittle performs “Fix You” just a short time after the death of his friend Bob Salvini, the man who was supposed to sing it with him as a duet.”
The musical group is known as The Young at Heart Chorus.
When a very close friend of mine passed away suddenly, her husband lent me her iPod, so I could see her playlists. I copied the playlists* and when I’m missing her, I listen to them. I think of those songs as “Lisa’s music,” and it helps me feel her presence. A love of music was one of the things we shared, and her songs are one of the many gifts she gave me.
*not the actual recordings, RIAA, calm down
Related articles
Colleen,
We have taken great pride at our house in teaching our kids to love the music that we like. My husband had a moment of joy when they asked for the “fire song” (Ring of Fire), and I get excited when they sing along with my Michael Franti.
Thanks for sharing!
Ann
Honored to be mentioned! Music is a powerful way to connect with ourselves and with others.
Music is such a powerful mood enhancer! And a gr8 way to express yourself !