Music, in one form or another, has been around for 2.5 million years, and its importance has only increased from one generation to the next. From the barbaric kings using empowering music to express victory to Einstein using Mozart's melodies to concentrate, from nations using music to build
patriotic anthems to a widowed person using music to help cope with their loss, the applications of music are vast.
The origins of music
The origins of music are shrouded in mystery. One popular theory is that music began as a form of communication. Early humans may have used music to express emotions or convey messages. Another theory suggests that music may have arisen from natural sounds, such as the wind or the sound of waves.
Whatever its origins, music has been a part of human culture for thousands of years. Archaeological evidence suggests that music was being made in Africa as early as 50,000 years ago. The first musical instruments, such as flutes and drums, date back around 35,000 years ago.
Over the millennia, music has evolved to meet the needs of the cultures that create it. Music has been used as a tool for political and social change, as a form of entertainment, and as a way to express religious beliefs. It has also been used to promote commercial products and sell advertising space. Today, music continues to play an essential role in our lives. It can bring people together, help us express our emotions, and provide a soundtrack for our lives.
Psychology of music
It is a well-known fact that music profoundly affects our moods and emotions. But did you know that it can also affect our physical and mental state? Music has been shown to have a powerful effect on the brain and nervous system.
When our brain listens to music, it releases certain chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin. All of these chemicals are known to have a positive effect on mood, anxiety, and stress levels. It is also observed that listening to music reduces the number of cortisol produced in the brain, thus helping reduce stress and anxiety.
The effect of music on our psychology is so profound that many therapists use music as a form of therapy, and it has proven to be effective as well. Check out this article to further explore the effects of music as a therapy.
Let's explore the positive effects of music on our mental well-being.
1. Music Reduces Stress and Anxiety:
One of the most well-known benefits of music is its ability to reduce stress and anxiety. In fact, music has been shown to be more effective than medication in reducing anxiety levels. As one study suggests,
"In 26 studies, a statistically significant reduction in depression levels was found over time in the experimental (music intervention) group compared to a control (n = 25) or comparison group (n = 2)."
2. Music Improves Cognitive Function:
Music has also been shown to improve cognitive function. Studies have shown that music can improve memory, attention, and executive function. Music therapy has also been significantly helpful for dementia patients (Dementia is the loss of one's normal cognitive functioning, leading to loss of memory and reasoning ability, among other effects)
3. Music Can Reduce Pain:
Music can also help to reduce pain. Studies have shown that music can reduce pain perception and increase pain tolerance. An excellent example of this is the effect music has while exercising. Listening to energetic and fast-paced music not only helps us get into that mental zone but also helps in maxing out on our exercises (something vital for them to be effective).
Another good example is how sad or slow-paced music with relaxed beats makes us feel better after a heartbreak. Instead of wallowing in the memories of the person who left, music helps divert our attention and cope with the loss.
4. Music Improves Sleep Quality:
Music can also improve sleep quality. Studies have shown that music can help to reduce sleep latency, increase deep sleep, and improve sleep efficiency. Here's what one study found -
"Music resulted in significantly better sleep quality in the experimental group, as well as significantly better components of sleep quality: better-perceived sleep quality, longer sleep duration, greater sleep efficiency, shorter sleep latency, less sleep disturbance and less daytime dysfunction (P = 0.04-0.001). Sleep improved weekly, indicating a cumulative dose effect."
Music reduces heart rate and blood pressure, which helps you to get a good quality sleep. Usually, people are unable to sleep due to overthinking or loud noises from the environment like noises of construction works or vehicles. Music can help you deal with those problems by diverting your attention (which helps stop overthinking a particular subject) and fading out the unnecessary noise.
5. Music Boosts Immunity:
Lastly, music has also been shown to boost immunity. Studies have found that "listening to and playing music increase the body's production of the antibody immunoglobulin A and natural killer cells — the cells that attack invading viruses and boost the immune system's effectiveness."
Importance of music in our society
Though we may debate the importance of music in transforming our societies today, we can all agree that music is an integral part of our society. Apart from the psychological and physical benefits of music, it also has social benefits.
From ancient times, we have used music to strengthen the bond between one another. Our ancestors used to celebrate their successful hunt by gathering around a bonfire and dancing to folk music. It's not that if there were no music, people would never bond with one another. But music does help strengthen the bond between people easily.
We usually experience this bonding through music at music concerts. Just knowing that the stranger next to you is also a Beatles fan sets the grounds for a good conversation and a possible friendship. This bonding can also be felt when you 'vibe' to a certain kind of music with your friends. Here the bond already exists, but music helps strengthen it even further.
Apart from bonding, music also helps unite people. One peculiar aspect of music that helps unite people is that there are no language barriers. A person in Mongolia, who hasn't heard of any other country, let alone know another language, can nevertheless enjoy Mozart's symphony or vibe to Radiohead's songs because music is like warmth, something that is felt, unlike language, which is interpreted.
This unifying aspect of music can be seen in almost all historical revolutions. Be it the French Revolution or India's fight for freedom, music was at the heart of every movement that helped unify people and bring about a social revolution. This sense of oneness is often felt when singing national anthems or religious songs. It feels like you and other people are sewn together into an invisible thread, forming a beautiful garland.
Conclusion
There is no one answer to why music is so important to us as human beings. A complex combination of factors makes music a vital part of our lives. From a psychological perspective, music can provide a much-needed outlet for emotions, help us process and make sense of our experiences, and boost our mood and well-being. Socially, music can help to build bonds and foster a sense of community. It can also be a powerful tool for social change. Whether we are listening to our favorite tunes, dancing along to a catchy beat, or playing an instrument, music has the power to touch us profoundly and enrich our lives in countless ways.
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