How does music influence us?

Wherever we are, at any given point in time, we are surrounded by music. While some people may view music as a combination of vocal or instrumental sounds, music is in fact much more. Think about breathing or a clock ticking, even a leaking pipe – no classic instruments, but with a little creativity music may appear. One can simply not imagine life without music. In the words of Luis Armstrong, „music is life itself”. So how does it all impact us?

Music as a form of therapy

Music can be used in daily life for relaxation, to gain energy when feeling drained, for catharsis when dealing with emotional stress, and in other ways as well. Research has shown that music has a profound effect on your body and psyche. How you may wonder? First of all, a strong beat stimulates brainwaves to resonate in sync with the beat, therefore a faster beat can lead to more alert thinking, while a slower tempo can put you in a state of calmness. The same rule applies to your breathing. Fast tempo, equals more frequent and unregular air intakes, while a slower tempo allows you to have a paced breathing.

Music as a mood influencer

In films, soundtracks or pieces of music directly relate to how viewers will feel. Ever wonder why a certain ad stuck with you? What about that ad that you so often see and slowly start to despise? Think about it, did it have a catchy tune, have you ever found yourself humming the melody? Research has shown marketers use music in advertisements for this exact reason. To make the ads memorable, create a certain emotion and make their product more desirable. In the end, you should feel that buying that product will make you feel as shown in the ad.

Music and culture

Music is a great way through which one can discover a new culture, as well as create great bonds between people. Travelling, listening to local music, is a great place to start your journey of uncovering the beauty of a new culture, the history of a nation, and almost like a time capsule, music can be captured for eternity. Music can also be used to learn a language. For example, think about the time you were a kid and started learning the alphabet.

Meeting new people is great, but this may not come so easily to everyone. But bring someone with a guitar (any other instrument should work as well), or a speaker at a gathering and everyone seems to relax and start chatting. Maybe your favourite tune starts playing, you start grooving and when you look around the room, a couple of others seem to enjoy the song just as much as you. Chances are, you might have more in common with them than initially thought and you just found your conversation starter.

There is no denying that music is all around us, whether we realise it or not. It can be very beneficial, be it for making new bonds with people, lifting your spirits or creating and helping you deal with certain emotions. Music will not let you down.

“Life is one grand sweet song so start the music.” – Ronald Reagan