Listening To Music
Music is a core part of our lives. We listen to music to enhance our emotional wellbeing. Whether it’s boosting our mood, increasing motivation, reducing stress, or helping us feel better, the psychological benefits of music are powerful. We know that listening to music activates the brain, and playing music can be compared to full-body workout for the brain.
Learning To Play Music Grows Your Brain
A study revealed, taking part in one creative activity each day leads to a positive state of mind. According to another report, partaking in creative activities results in improved physical and mental health. Schlaug (2013) found that adult professional musicians had more grey matter in the brain than non-musicians, and after 15 months of music lessons in early childhood, there were structural differences in the brain associated with auditory and motor learning. It can also improve cognitive performance and memory, better sleep quality, and pain management.
Moving Through Grief With Songwriting
A study encompassing adolescents who experienced the death of a loved one suggested that using songwriting as a treatment helped with identifying, expressing, and processing grief through lyrics.
Australia Council For The Arts Project
Regional Victorian music teacher and songwriter Jo Kathleen Marie supports a broader community in raising Mental Health awareness through her Contemporary Music, Community Arts and Cultural Development project with Australia Council For The Arts. 50 songs are being written to creatively raise Mental Health Awareness with a portion of these songs to be recorded and released.
Action Steps
The benefits of music are widespread for listeners, learners, musicians and songwriters. Schedule time to creatively express yourself using music as an intervention for better wellbeing. The acquisition of better mental wellbeing may also open up more freedom for creativity.