How Music Reduces Stress and Makes Quarantine Lighter

Music saves lives, changes stories and unites what a lot in this world insists on separating. Since “it has existed since the very beginning”, this marvel of art is an intangible heritage of humanity. Herein, today we’re going to learn about How Music Reduces Stress.

In this post, the subject revolves around some situations in which musical works have intense influences on the mind and body of the listener. With a quick account, you discover that music is a strong ally to deal with the days of social isolation.

How about finding out a little how the magic happens? Just stay with me … and experience the power that only music has.

Listen to Music to Combat Anxiety during Quarantine

Over the centuries, the therapeutic use of music has been used to relax and restore health. For many people, the gesture of staying at home can be a chore — especially when going out on the street is synonymous with risk — and cause anxiety and nervous tension. For these and other reasons, musical activities in general (playing an instrument or listening to music / songs) are a “holy remedy”.

Recently, researchers and curators from KNI, a British consultancy specializing in neuroscience solutions for companies, have scientifically proven the therapeutic capacity of music.

Also Read: How Music Affects the Brain

To this end, they conducted a study in which participants had to solve a complex puzzle as quickly as possible while listening to different types of music. The volunteers were connected to sensors capable of measuring brain activity, blood pressure and breathing. The intention was to find out which sounds caused a sensation of relaxation, even in the face of a technically stressful task.

How Music Reduces Stress

Music produces best results, marked by the British trio Martin Unicorn. When exposed to the results, the participants had an anxiety level 65% lower than previously recorded. If the quarantine is stressing you, play and listen to your favorite music.

There are many music tracks that are made with the collaboration of therapists. According to the researchers, the slow pace and low tones decrease the heart rate and the levels of cortisol — the stress and anxiety hormone — in the bloodstream.

The Influence of Music on Mood

When we listen to a music we like, our brain releases a substance called dopamine, which acts as a neurotransmitter and causes a feeling of well-being. Basically, this hormone reduces stress and anxiety.

In a recent scientific study, researchers analyzed the effects that music has on patients recovering from surgery. Half of them underwent treatment with anxiety medications, while another portion only listened to pre-selected songs / music.

At the end of the study, the conclusion was that patients who had undergone music were less anxious than those who had taken medication. Levels of cortisol — the hormone responsible for stress — were also lower. If your days at home are putting an end to your good mood, listen to a lot of music!

Music Improves Productivity in the Home Office

A healthy mind inevitably produces much more. And in this regard, music has an unusual power! In addition to reducing anxiety, the songs and music stimulate memory and increase brain performance.

If social isolation has led you to work or study at a distance, nothing better than having a musical track to boost productivity there in your home office.

That said, the time has come to talk about the points where musical works make a difference.

For those who are not used to it, working from home can be more distraction than production. In this scenario, you run the risk of a certain task or another becoming boring. Consequently, you will lose focus.

According to the neuroscience; music can make repetitive tasks more enjoyable and increase your concentration.

According to a scientific study published in 2011, the regions of the brain that are responsible for strong emotions and the power of concentration are more active when we hear a familiar soundtrack or favorite music. Unknown songs and music do not have the same impact and can even cause distraction, because everything that is new arouses curiosity. So, when you need to stay focused, listen to playlists full of music and songs you know well and you like listening to!

Also Read: Relaxing Music for Stress Relief and Deep Sleep - Meditation

Music Improves Your Concentration

To give a boost in maintaining focus, enjoying a sound between tasks can be ideal. According to a study carried out with students, if they were heard during brief moments of rest, exposure to music significantly increased their ability to concentrate. In this way, they found it easier to stay focused on long, dense texts.

The type of music you listen to is 100% critical in helping to improve your productivity levels sometimes. Therefore, before selecting the track for a particular activity, always consider the following factors:

• Number of verses that the song has;
• Familiarization index with music;
• How repetitive the task you will be doing while listening;
• Whether the activity performed requires physical or mental effort.

For intellectual activities, such as reading a book, it is recommended to listen to ambient, new age - or even classical music. If it is to work, the ideal playlist should have instrumental music / songs, as research indicates that songs that have lyrics can reduce mental performance. On the other hand, instrumental music (tracks) can boost intense doses of productivity. Other studies have pointed out that the more voices we hear on the trail, the less productive we will be.

Music to Lighten the Quarantine

Since the world closed in a regime of social isolation, the main way to contain the advances of the Covid-19 pandemic, music has provided unforgettable moments.

Due to the countless concerts and events canceled / postponed, the artistic class continues to promote lives on their own platforms and those of other services and companies. With this gesture, in addition to increasing the consumption of their music in digital media, artists and bands encourage fans from all over the world.

Also Read: Quiet Morning Music for the Classroom - Calming & Relaxing Kids

In Italy and Spain, residents went to balconies, patios, windows, to sing and play their instruments. Guitarist Jonathan Mastenbroek, for example, played music on their terrace in Italy. During the exciting performance, people looked a bit more relaxed and felt unity.

And now that science has helped us to show you that listening to music is only good, how about we spread this good news around?

Mental health issues are important and as you know, we don’t want our friends to be left without information. So please share this post with your friends & family to inform them about how music reduces stress & makes your quarantine lighter.