FOCUS ON The power of MUSIC

Music has profound benefits on both the body and mind. Here’s how to feed your soul with your favourite sounds

- CLARE SWATMAN

Do you love a bit of carol singing? Does it make you feel happy to dance around the room to Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree every December? Orperhaps you have a favourite Christmas tune that brings happy childhood memories flooding back?

Whatever your view on Christmas sounds, did you know that listening to and playing music can have a profound effect on our mental and physical health?

‘Singing and music are an essential part of our existence,’ explains Julia Jones, aka Dr Rock, neuroscientist and founder of The Music Diet (musicdiet.co.uk). ‘It’s how we’ve always soothed, formed social bonds and built communities. We’re hardwired to respond to it.’

Here’s why music could be the antidote to COVID-19 effects that we need this year.

Boost your mood

There’s a reason why music is being used increasingly as therapy – it’s because its potential to boost mood and reduce stress is enormous.

‘Music triggers a neurochemical reaction in the brain,’ explains Julia. ‘It also activates the lungs, either through singing or breathing in time to the music, which helps our bodies switch from the sympathetic nervous system (adrenaline and fight-or-flight response) to the parasympathetic one of calm and rest.’

Music releases dopamine in the brain, too. ‘Dopamine contributes to feeling pleasure and satisfaction, and boosting mood,’ explains Professor Victoria Tischler, chartered psychologist at the University of West London. ‘Listening to and playing music helps us express our emotions.’

MUSIC AND MOOD

Researchers at Durham University found that older people were more likely to be comforted by sad music than younger people were.

Reduce pain