How is it I can remember song lyrics from 30 or 40 years ago but can’t seem to remember why I walked into a room? Or how listening to a certain song can instantly transport you back to when you first heard it or a significant time in your life?
Music in some form has been around for thousands of years and has been found in all cultures. In fact, archeologists have found primitive flutes made of bone and ivory dating back as far as 43,000 years. In his book The Descent Of Man, Charles Darwin wondered whether our language abilities had started with singing, and if that was the reason for our pleasure in music.
Maybe that’s why music resonates so much with us. It’s essentially part of our make up as humans (although we know that animals love music too, but that’s a whole other to-be-written post).
But did you know that music also has many superpowers? It can soothe the savage beast, pump you up for an intense workout or fill your heart with so much emotion it feels like it may almost burst. Music is really a master manipulator for our emotions.
Numerous studies have shown that music affects the brain in many different ways.
For example, a Harvard study showed that singing can be helpful to patients recovering from a brain injury or stroke that’s caused damage to the left-side region responsible for speech. Since singing takes place on the right side of the brain, people can learn to speak through song.
Another study shows how music affects memory and emotion. Strong emotions boost memory process and since music can evoke strong emotions, it’s helpful when forming memories. So listening to background music while doing something else, like studying, can improve your mental performance.
It makes sense. If you listen to upbeat music, you get pumped up. If you listen to soothing music, you calm down. If you listen to something from a major life event (like a graduation or wedding), you get nostalgic.
So next time you’re feeling down, try listening to your favorite music. Crank it up in your car, in your office or in the shower and sing along. You’ll be happy you did.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some Duran Duran to blast.
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