Listening to self-selected happy music can provide mood-repair and a sense of connection
Researchers have wondered if “listening to comforting music, as a response to a social loss experience, provides a sense of empathic company as indicated by reduced loneliness and heightened empathy.”
Is a pandemic, such as the one we are living through at the moment, a form of social loss? If we look at social media, there has been an enormous increase in reports of social loss which can come in the form of anxiety, depression and feelings of isolation during this pandemic. We have also seen music used as a means to correct this social loss through apartment concerts, sing-a-longs and jam sessions. Music is both our friend in a time of need and a way to connect with friends in a time of need.
This study examined mood and loneliness and how music listening may alter, and ultimately improve, both mood and feelings of loneliness.
They found the following;
“The results showed a significant reduction of loneliness and a relevant rise in empathy and mood due to listening to self-selected music, irrespective of the listener’s mood or the applied listening strategy, which suggests that private musical engagement in general can provide mood-repair and a sense of connection.”
So it seems that while the active music making we have seen on social media can lift our mood and remedy the feelings of social loss we may have experienced during this pandemic, listening to the music that we choose to change our mood can be just as powerful.
Music has always been a go-to for lifting our spirits, but did you know classical music might take it a step further by actually helping treat depression?
Founder of Bigger Better Brains, Dr Anita Collins, receives hundreds of emails from students around the world asking questions about neuromusical research. So she decided to record a short video about the most asked questions she has received.
Can music play a role in healthy aging? According to new research, the answer might be yes.
Imagine sitting in a concert hall, completely immersed in the music, when something incredible happens—you and the people around you begin to breathe and feel the same rhythm.
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As a music teacher, how often have we heard the phrase, “I have to skip rehearsal, I have a test”? In my school, as in many schools, we have our only rehearsal time in the morning prior to school starting, and I hear this comment regularly through the school year.
A new research project will investigate if singing together could be more than just a pleasant pastime; it might be a powerful tool for enhancing cooperation across various aspects of society, from classrooms to boardrooms.
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Many of us have experienced those catchy tunes that get stuck in our heads, but did you know that nearly 45% of people can sing these earworms in perfect pitch?
Singing in a community choir is more than just a musical activity—it's a powerful therapeutic experience
There is a commonly held belief that learning music should only be for those students who are identified as talented or interested. Neuromusical research has shown that music learning can benefit all students in terms of cognitive development.
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Imagine a world without music. There are no high school marching bands, no commercial jingles, and no need for Grammy Awards. It’s a rather dreary thought, yes?
Recent research has revealed that brain training programs for children do not lead to significant improvements in real-world cognitive functions.
Imagine a world where music serves as a powerful tool for healthy aging. Dr. Psyche Loui at Northeastern University explores how music strengthens brain connections, enhancing memory and emotions.
Dr. Seinfeld's research involving participants aged 60 to 85 found that those who took piano lessons showed remarkable improvements in executive functions, attention, and inhibitory control.
Neuroscientist Nina Kraus notes that playing an instrument is one of the richest brain activities, leading to better language and reading skills.
I have been privileged to walk the road with many schools as they transform their school through music learning.