How music bolsters mental well-being and social connections
The legendary Bob Marley sang this lyric in 1971 and it has been repeated by music lovers countless times ever since. What is it about music that moves us, literally and figuratively? How can the sound of a few notes rouse emotions we thought had been long buried while helping us feel closer to others? Why are melodies, like languages, often preserved in the minds of patients living with memory loss? Studies in neurology, psychology, and sociology have set out in pursuit of answers to these questions. Many suggest that it is music’s ability to activate an astounding number of regions and networks in the brain — those responsible for thinking, processing, learning, creativity, and movement — that makes it an invaluable experience for human beings. Scientists are now able to visualise the activation that takes place in our brains thanks to help from sophisticated technology, but it is becoming clear that the power of music transcends well beyond its neurological benefits. It not only reduces mental stressors, but has the unique ability to bring together people of all cultures, ethnicities, and beliefs through a shared interest, helping us to find a common ground to enjoy and let go. Let’s unpack how exactly music can do this, starting with how it ignites our brain’s neural pathways to its mental health benefits and how it aids in strengthening our social bonds.
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