58% of people in Europe state that they have never felt as depressed as during this rough time. At the same time, 72% feel that music has helped them through a tough time. Music can be a tool for regulating mood and increasing well-being.
85% of people in Europe say that their mood has been affected by music.
A new study shows how music affects our everyday lives and that its mental and physical effects are greater than we previously knew. The results show that music can act as a tool to regulate the mood where the tempo can change our emotional reactions. Large and small tones can take anything from being uplifting to becoming melancholic.
Sad music can help us through tough times. The most intense emotional reactions, whether it is joy or sadness, we found occurred when a melody contrasts emotionally with the sound heard. The next time you want to feel uplifted or energetic by music, you can make yourself a musical double sandwich. Play a song that makes you sad just before the one that makes you positive and optimistic. That way, the power of the uplifting song will have an even greater impact on your emotions.
Music is also a powerful signal that can restore often vivid but long-forgotten emotional experiences. As many as 88% of the Europeans who participated in a survey state that they have memories where music has played an important role.
Dr. David Lewis has looked at how music affects our bodies, brains and emotions. From increased memory, elevated heartbeat and dilated pupils to triggering tears, stimulating sleep and whether we feel joy.
Top 10 ways that music changes us
1. Tears
2. Influence our actions
3. The heart rate can be raised or lowered
4. Joy
5. Create relationships and shape one's identity
6. Have a "curative" effect
8. Create a tingling sensation in the spine or make the hair stand
9. Dilated pupils and trigger the fight-or-flight mechanism
10. Improve memory
We can all think back to a place in life where music has played an important role, it evokes emotions and memories and takes us on a journey.
