Why Does Music Affect Your Mood?
Have you ever started crying from a movie or felt happier after listening to a specific song? No matter who you are, music can evoke very strong emotional responses and make you feel better.
According to studies, active music-making like singing or playing an instrument can gradually change your mood. For example, if you repeatedly listen to sad or angry songs and sing or hum along with them, you will feel more sad or angry, but if you listen and sing to uplifting songs, you will feel happier. Even just listening to a motivational playlist at the gym can make you feel energetic. This happens because active music-making and just listening to music can affect certain neurotransmitters like dopamine and and serotonin. These neurotransmitters affect your mood along with sleeping habits, anxiety and pain.
Due to these many benefits, experts use musical therapy to help with mental health and pain, but you don't need a therapist to get these benefits. Next time you feel sad or anxious, just put on your favorite playlist or instrumental music and practice mindfulness. Over time, this can help change your mood and make you feel better.
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