Here are 5 reasons to enjoy music more every day

Do you love music?

You're not alone. Surveys show that Europeans spend up to four hours a day listening to music. Whether it's on the radio, streaming, or live, we love listening to music, and for very good reason.

Music has a way of connecting us with others and with our memories.

We can all probably remember a specific song at a specific time in our lives, whether it's walking down the aisle, singing a lullaby to a child or grandchild, or dancing with a best friend.

Listening to that song can bring that memory back with great clarity.

Music also makes us feel better. It gives us energy, improves our mood, and can even help us manage pain and illness.

The best part? Any type of music can stimulate these benefits. Whether you love classic rock hits, jazz, rap, reggaeton, or pop, all genres have the power to improve our lives and health.

These are some of the ways in which music benefits us.

1. Music improves memory.



Do you remember learning the alphabet song? You will most likely remember learning it, and you will most likely remember the melody.

Music has a way of helping us memorize information, which is why many of us learned the alphabet, days of the week, and months of the year in song.

Music can help us remember in other ways, too. One study confirmed that those who listened to music had better memory and attention span, and a more positive mood, than those who listened to an audiobook or nothing.

Other studies have shown that even people with Alzheimer's can retain information better after listening to music.

If you have memory problems as you get older, music can help.

Try listening to music that you find stimulating before or while learning something new. It can help you better remember what you read, hear, or watch.

2. Helps us manage pain.

Sometimes with age comes aches and pains. Music has shown great promise in helping people manage this type of pain, as well as pain caused by conditions like fibromyalgia.

Researchers believe that music helps release feel-good chemicals that mediate pain, including dopamine (the pleasure and reward hormone), serotonin, and oxytocin.

Music can even trigger the release of endogenous opioids, which act like hormones to help us control pain.

Do you want to try it? We suggest finding a board-certified music therapist in your area or experimenting at home with your favorite music.

3. Music = stress relief

Feeling a little stressed lately? Music can help.

Studies show that listening to music after a stressful event can help you recover faster.

This is likely because the same hormones and processes that help with pain also help relieve stress.

Listening to music can slow your heart rate, lower your blood pressure, lower cortisol (the stress hormone), and increase feel-good hormones and endorphins.

So when you sit down to wind down after a stressful day, try listening to music you like while you sip tea, stretch, or do other relaxing activities.

4. Music helps us exercise better.

If you listen to music when you exercise, we have good news. Music has been shown to help you exercise more efficiently and vigorously than silence or other sounds.

Listening to fast-paced music while walking, jogging, or bicycling reduces your "effort consciousness"; in other words, you work harder than you would without music, not realizing that you're working harder.

Researchers also show that exercising to music makes your workout longer.

The next time you're out for a walk or getting on the treadmill, try listening to some up-tempo tunes. You'll likely get better results without feeling like you're working harder.

5. Music activates our brain.

Do you struggle with focus or creativity? Stimulating your brain through music can help.

Studies show that listening to music outside of your comfort zone can stimulate your brain in ways that listening to familiar music can't.

When we listen to new types of music, our brains struggle to make sense of it, stimulating new pathways that can improve attention, focus, and problem solving.

When your friend or grandchild invites you to listen to their favorite band, give it a try. You may find yourself enjoying it, or at least the benefits, more than you realize.

Tell us... How do you incorporate music into your day to day?