Music Brings Benefits to Its Listeners

Aubrey Morrison

Music is always changing. Throughout the years many different genres of music have become popular. It can be passed down by generations. But what really influences what people listen to? It is a known fact people become influenced by the things they’re surrounded by. And by things they’ve grown up on. So as one ages, the music ages with them as well.

Most people include music in their daily lives. According to the National Institute of Health, music stimulates the part of the brain known for feelings of reward, emotion, and motivation. This causes music to become beneficial for people needing to regulate any sort of emotion. Music also helps release dopamine, the body can easily get addicted to activities that increase dopamine, therefore music becomes reliable for regulating those negative and unfavorable feelings.

Music can bring a somewhat nostalgic feeling, and it can be found as comforting. Music can be very helpful when one needs some sort of way to calm down and relax, it can reduce heart rate and blood pressure. It can help relieve pain by distracting the mind while helping with feelings of happiness and well-being. It’s almost like a form of therapy. It gets rid of the discomfort and quiets the mind.

Lifting up the mood and providing comfort is another benefit of music.  Junior Ryleigh Case stated, “Music just relaxes me, because it’s usually music I grew up listening to, so it’s comforting,even if that’s not the intention of the song.”

Music holds memories and can bring those feelings and memories back. If one has an emotional connection with the music it can bring about nostalgia. “A lot of music is powerful,” Case stated. “It’s very comforting listening to music I know by heart; it’s almost like the music has grown with me.”

Physical science teacher Austin Newton said the music he listens to often impacts his own mood.  “Usually music brings me excitement, or a feeling of mellow.”

Newton listens to a wide variety of music and enjoys various genres for different reasons.  Newton explained, “I’ve been listening to The Eagles a lot recently. I like the lead singer’s voice and the rhythms. The guitars are easy going and I really love the harmonies.”

His family has also had an impact on musical tastes. “My parents used to play mostly country and classic rock,” stated Newton. 

Junior Laila Aldan uses music to help regulate her emotions. She stated, “If I’m not in a good mood and I feel misunderstood, I rely on certain songs to help make me feel understood. It doesn’t necessarily make me happy, but it makes me feel something.”

Aldan has music that she prefers to listen to when she needs a boost. She said, “I really enjoy Lana Del Rey’s music because she’s been through so many different situations so she understands, and you can tell she really puts her heart into the songs she produces.”