Experts

Five Reasons why you should Listen to Music

By Cheri Cheng | Update Date: Nov 28, 2014 11:49 AM EST

For most people, listening to music is an important, daily activity. Even though people know that music is soothing and healing, they might not know exactly how music affects the brain. Here are five science-backed reasons why you should listen to music more often:

1. Eases pain

According to a study from the Frontiers in Psychology journal, researchers found that patients with fibromyalgia who listened to music that they liked experienced less pain and had increased motor ability than when they listened to pink noise, also know as flicker noise. The music was played at a slower rate of less than 120 beats per minute.

2. Helps with focus

If you need to focus, try listening to music specific to the late baroque period. Researchers from the Stanford University School of Medicine discovered that music led to brain changes that boosted attention and memory. The study was published in 2007.

3. Increases exercise performance

Many fitness experts have recommended people to create a playlist that can energize the body. In several studies, researchers have concluded that fast, upbeat music can push people to workout harder and make the workout more enjoyable.

4. Boosts mood

A 2011 study published in Nature Neuroscience found that classical music can trigger the brain to release dopamine, which improves mood and can make you feel happier.

5. Soothes

If you have had a stressful day and want to calm down, try listening to mellow music. A study conducted in 2013 and published in Ergonomics found that listening to mellow music could effectively reduce road rage. The music also improved participants' driving ability.

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