Music & Self-Care: How Music Benefits Mental Health
February 7th, 2025
As a daily part of many people’s lives, music offers benefits beyond enjoyment. Whether you're listening, playing, or singing, music can reduce stress, improve mood, and strengthen connections—with both yourself and others. Here are a few ways music supports mental health and how you can incorporate them into your routine to practice self-care.
1. Music Reduces Stress & Anxiety
Listening to music has been scientifically proven to lower cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. Even just 15 minutes of listening can significantly reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.
2. Music Boosts Mood & Reduces Pain
Beyond easing stress and anxiety, music has been shown to elevate mood. Studies indicate that music boosts dopamine and serotonin production in the brain. Additionally, many of the brain pathways that process music overlap with those that process pain. When focusing on playing an instrument or listening to your favorite tunes, there isn’t much room left to relay the pain messages, meaning music can serve as a distraction, making discomfort feel less intense.
3. Music Supports Emotional Regulation
Engaging with music—whether actively or passively—can enhance emotional intelligence. This occurs because music activates brain regions involved in emotional processing, leading to improved mood regulation. People with high emotional intelligence are better equipped to manage emotions, build strong relationships, and reduce stress.
4. Music Fosters Community & Social Connections
Self-love doesn’t have to be a solo journey. Engaging in group activities like music classes or ensembles can boost self-esteem, cultivate empathy, and strengthen social bonds. Whether you're playing in an ensemble or attending a concert, music creates countless opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals. In fact, live concerts can even synchronize your brain waves with those around you, deepening the sense of connection and shared experience (how cool!).
Bringing Music into Your Life for a Happier Mind
Music is a simple yet powerful way to support your mental well-being. Here’s how you can make it part of your daily life:
Create a "Feel-Good" Playlist: Build playlists tailored to different moods or activities, whether you need a boost of energy, relaxation, or motivation.
Learn a New Instrument: Learning to play is a rewarding escape! Our flexible private lessons and student-teacher matching process ensure you find the right fit.
Attend a Concert or Live Performance: Attending concerts, whether alone or with friends, immerses you in the energy and emotion of a shared musical experience. Nichols Concert Hall presents a variety of events —our students get free tickets to many of their concerts!
Make Music with Others: Singing in a choir or playing in an ensemble not only strengthens musical skills but also builds lasting friendships. Many of our students have been part of our ensembles for years!
Take Time to Listen: Even just setting aside a few minutes to focus on a song can be a mindful practice that reduces stress and boosts your mood. Our Listening to Music course provides the perfect opportunity to set aside some time to focus on music. Explore music from across a wide range of genres and cultures with guided discussions.
Join Our Community of Musicians
We make incorporating music into your daily life simple. Join a group class, try an ensemble, or get personalized individual lessons. From first-time players to seasoned performers, everyone is welcome. Get in touch to start your lessons with one of our experienced teachers today!