Think about the last time you listened to music. What was your mood before, during, and after listening? Did you notice a change in the way you felt? Many of us go to music as a way of regulating our emotions and as per research, listening to music can do just that. A study done in the UK showed that people would use music as a way of coping, rehabilitation, and therapy. Whether listening to music or playing music, many acquire feelings of enjoyment, comfort, and relief.
For example, with summer ending and school and work coming back into full-swing, this may even be more necessary when there is a shift in mood. Days are beginning to get shorter, and work may begin to pile up. Another study in the Journal of Consumer Medicine, showed that during deep interpersonal loss people will find comfort in sad music.
So what can music do for my mood?
1. Regroup
Think about the last time you listened to music and felt really connected. Whether it was connected to the beat, the lyrics, or just the way it made you feel. Getting in tune with lyrics and sound, can help one to feel more connected mentally and emotionally. This connection can help with perspective and understanding, and not just with ourselves but with others as well. How do you feel when listening to a break up song after breaking up with a significant other? You become one with the lyrics and sound, the artist becomes your therapist, and it can also elicit thought giving you a better understanding of the situation.
2. Refocus
In contrast with allowing you to delve more into the situation, music can also help with changing your focus. It can help with putting a situation aside and allowing you to get in your own zone. Many do this while exercising, like running for example. Going on a run is therapy in its own, but then listening to music while on this run really allows the individual to enter their own world. Whatever stressors, worry, or fear are currently an issue can be set aside to calm the mind. This is similar to meditation, and in meditation it is common for one to to center themselves while listening to a certain type of music.
3. Uplift
Music also has the power of uplifting individuals and their mood. It connects the mind and the body. Music will not only make you think, but makes you want to move! Moving with music also aids in hormone release that allows you to feel better, and have a more positive outlook.
What is your mood telling you to listen to right now?
Article written by GUADS member Breanna and edited by staff member Emily, with contributions from psychcentral.com and healthline.com
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