When you listen to music, have you ever felt a certain way?
Does upbeat classical music trigger a physical response in you that makes you want to rise up and work hard, or does a softer sound relax you when you have it on as background noise?
Whatever music does for you, there is no denying its impact on society as well as social connection.
Music affects a lot of our lives, with music education being very important in schools and for people personally.
It can provide a whole host of benefits, for instance, music training develops the left side of the brain, which processes language, in children which then helps them with their social interactions and learning.
Today’s article is focused on the importance of music in society from upbeat music to even sad music, and how learning music as well as listening to it will provide cognitive benefits as well as give people that creative outlet they need.
So, how does music affect our society, work productivity, emotions, well-being, and so on? Read on to learn more.
What is Music’s Impact on The Youth?
It has been said through studies that music education in schools has a very positive impact on students, teachers, and in the general community.
There have been results saying that teachers have seen an improvement in academic performance as well as social-emotional skills.
Better attendance, graduation rates, problem-solving skills, and fewer incident reports are noted as helping students learn better throughout their time in school.
How Could This Impact Their Future?
As students carry on, they may find that music plays a bigger part in their education than they initially realized.
For example, to enjoy music is one thing, but to then go on to making music of their own and potentially becoming a professional musician, can weave a career path that they may have not thought about before in life.
The emotional impact that music has is astounding, and if music activates something in a student or child that makes them want to take all that music theory they have learned as well as their music practice to create something, then that should be applauded.
Why Do People Listen to Music?
People listen and find solace in music, relaxing music, sad music, fast-paced music, and so on, all of it means something to someone, and if a person can provide a connection and relief for others with their musical performance, then that should mean something.
Music is a universal language, and it has a unique ability to bond people together, not only providing teaching moments but also supporting them through certain times.
Why is Music Important?
Now that we know why people listen to music and why young people can benefit a great deal from musical activity or just listening, we will dive further into how music can help people and who can get the most benefit out of listening to their favorite songs.
It Can Be Like Therapy
There are songs that we listen to on a personal level, we listen to them for a whole host of reasons, but we know why we listen to them – to elicit a response in us and to scratch that itch we have, whether it be to help us feel happy or to soothe us when we are sad.
Music has a power that is cathartic.
Music Therapy
There is a specific therapy called music therapy which can help people deal with painful memories, as well as help with improving attention and memory.
Whilst music therapy is great for people who really need that help, music by itself is therapeutic in day-to-day life.
It Supports Us
When we have a song stuck in our heads, it can be for many reasons, maybe we just have a need to listen to our favorite music as we are having a bad day, or it hit something in us that made us want to listen again, whatever it was, it is helping us with what we need.
Our own personal therapy in musical form.
It Can Reduce Anxiety and Stress
As mentioned before, different types of music have different impacts on how we feel, so if we are going through a particularly rough time and we are filled with so much anxiety that it is hard to focus, music can be a stress relief, even if it just for a little bit, it gives us time to breathe and be calm.
What Music is Best?
Classical music has been said to reduce stress levels, but it has to be listened to in a specific way to help relax you, there is no way it can help you if you are listening and running around at the same time, it needs to be ‘let in’ to work.
It Can Boost Energy Levels
We all hit a slump during the day, but that can make us feel even worse when we need to actually be energetic, either to get work done or to go out and be social.
If this is happening to you and you really need to perk yourself up, then music can help you feel energized again to help you rally and get on with the rest of the day.
What Music is Best?
Listening to something upbeat can be very helpful in getting you in the right state of mind, or if you just want to hum to yourself when you are getting ready, that can also pump you up.
Anything that makes you want to move and jump around, all of it will set you right, even when you feel like you don’t have it in you, that type of music will turn that around.
It Can Help With Better Sleep
Many of us will find it hard to sleep from time to time, and if you are someone who really does have trouble getting yourself in the right zone to sleep, then music can help settle your mind down and get you to drift off.
What Music is Best?
Listening to classical or slow music will assist in lulling you off to sleep, you can either listen to it just before bed, or you may want to have it on as a sort of background noise so that it is always there for you to listen to. There is also deep sleep music, which can help people fix their sleep schedule and get proper rest.
It depends on how you like to sleep and what works best when you are trying to get your brain to shift itself into sleep.
It Can Help Form Connections With Other People
There is no better feeling than speaking to a new person and finding out that you both have the same love for the same music.
Music brings people together in more ways than one.
You can bond over your shared love of the same music, talk about memories associated with that music, and you can form your own memories with each other to that music.
It provides that bond so when you listen to that music again, no matter how many years later, it gives you that connection.
What Music is Best?
Any kind of music is best, there is no right or wrong answer to that.
You can form a connection with someone who loves Lady Gaga just like you can with someone who listens to Bob Dylan, whatever the music is, you will find that thing that will connect you.
It Can Make You Express Yourself More
We are not confined with music, it opens us up to so much of the world, and if you need an outlet where you can express yourself and your creativity, then music will always be there to help you do that.
You can boost your confidence with music and make you feel empowered about who you are and what you do.
Musical expression is great for performers and people who just like to listen.
When you find and listen to a song that moves you, in whichever direction, you can use that in daily life and have it support you and help keep you going.
It’s a comfort, and one that you welcome each time you listen to it, so when you look back, you remember when you first heard it and cements that feeling of happiness within yourself.
Conclusion
After reading through this article, do you understand the importance of music and what it means to people?
Hopefully, you are aware and you know why we all listen to it and what it can do for society.
Right now you probably want to put on your favorite songs, either sitting there or dancing around, do it.
Do it and feel good about yourself and brighten your day.