GCBH Executive Director Sarah Lenz Lock said :
“ Especially now , in times when people are feeling sad , stressed and isolated because of the COVID-19 pandemic , people should definitely turn to music to better their mental well-being .”
Music can help you focus
Cramming for an important exam ? Classical music could be the study aid for you .
A 2007 study from Stanford School of Medicine found that classical music specifically helps the brain absorb and interpret new information .
Findings from the study suggested that music can train the brain to pay attention to events and make predictions on what could happen .
So when it comes to studying , music could help boost your reasoning and decision-making skills .
Music brings back happy memories
Music can transport us back to happier times by triggering positive memories .
A 2019 study by Dr Kelly Jakubowski at Durham University found that music typically triggered memories of events from between the ages 10 and 30 .
The most vivid of these memories were usually from the teenage years . So it ’ s little wonder we reach for nostalgic tunes when we ’ re feeling low .
Music can reduce depression in people with dementia
Music can reduce symptoms of depression in dementia patients , according to a study published this year .
In the study , 54 % of participants taking part in choir-based therapy experienced a reduction in symptoms while their quality-of-life scores improved by 57 %.
And in another study , music therapy significantly increased speech content and fluency in 20 patients with dementia .
The studies encouraged charity Music for Dementia to increase support for similar projects .
Music can improve recovery after surgery
Listening to music before , during or after surgery can significantly reduce patients ’ pain and anxiety levels , according to a large evidence review from The Lancet .
The review of more than 7,000 patient cases also found that music decreased the need for medication among participants .
Listening to music before the treatment was most effective . However , it proved beneficial at all stages – even during surgery itself .
Researchers at Brunel University found that self-selected music was especially beneficial .
Commenting on the study , Dr Paul Glasziou from Bond University , Queensland , Australia said :
“ Music is a simple and cheap intervention , which reduces transient discomforts for many patients undergoing surgery .”
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