Get lost in music
Listening closely to different songs can boost your wellbeing.
Have you noticed how upbeat, happy songs can give you energy, while calm, soothing tunes can help you unwind? Music really shapes people’s moods, and getting lost in it can help you enjoy the magic of music even more.
What is “getting lost in music”?
This means concentrating on the music so hard you shut out your other thoughts for a short time. People often play tunes while they are doing something else, like reading a book or talking to friends. However, experts say if you try out different styles of music and listen closely to things like rhythm (the pattern of sounds), you boost its benefits and let it change how you are feeling in that moment.
How is it good for you?
Music is a language everyone understands and has brought humans together for thousands of years. Scientists say this is because it releases different chemicals in the brain that make you feel happy and closer to others. If you’ve studied for a test by singing your times tables you’ll know how music can boost your memory. Research shows that listening to calm tunes reduces stress and even helps people feel less pain. In fact, music lights up nearly every part of the brain, says psychologist Jill Suttie (an expert in thoughts and feelings), and there could even be
benefits that haven’t been discovered yet.
How can you get lost in music?
Start by listening to types of music you haven’t tried before, says author Ben Ratliff. Focus on different parts of the tune, such as rhythm. Listen to the drums and notice whether the pattern of beats stays the same or surprises you. Music from Cuba or Brazil, such as samba, is good for trying this. Listening while moving connects you closely to the sound, says Ratliff, so dance around your room and notice how the song changes. Use your senses to understand what the musician is trying to tell you, so imagine you can see, feel and even taste the song. Is it hard like metal or does it taste like melted chocolate? By listening carefully you can get the most from music – and have fun dancing too.