Music, Mood and New Technology?

The environment plays a huge role in our mental health, which includes our mood, or the way we feel at a particular time.

Music we listen to is important in our journey to address issues of negative moods: could it be we need to become more conscious of the music we listen to?

It is easy to let the world around us just “happen” and sometimes we may find ourselves in a ‘bad mood’ without even knowing why

Pixabay

"Music has the capacity to influence our moods and sense of well- being. We are all born with an innate sense of rhythm which stays with us for the rest of our lives.

We recognise this at the most fundamental level as our heartbeat. When we listen to music which has a quick tempo our heart rate increases. We may feel invigorated and uplifted. A rousing tune is great for lifting the spirits and moving us away from low mood and depression.’

Joanne Doyle- Psychotherapist in Private Practice

With lockdown and the evolving world around us, there has now been a demand for new innovative ways of improving overall wellbeing.

Wellness companies are looking to incorporate more music-based solutions to improve mental and emotional wellbeing.

Brands such as Amazon, Spotify and Apple are developing new creative and engaging ways of mixing music into their outlets. ‘Game changing technologies’ are on the uprise and the use of scientific evidence will be incorporated to have a steady foundation to build a new ‘robust and higher-fidelity audio ecosystem’ to improve wellness in individuals.

This new ‘digital wellness market’ recognises the need for personalisation and so the recommendations will be expanded into the specifics to make it as suitable for the individual as possible.

Human beings connect with music as it’s a form of expression and can be used as an outlet for pain, grief, hurt, heartbreak but also inspiration, confidence, victory and overcoming obstacles.

‘Gospel music has allowed me to find a balance in my mood when things may be uncertain. It helps me go about my day’

- Wendy-Rose, age 20.

When it comes to music, similarly to eating good food, dopamine (a neurotransmitter) is released when listening to music.

According to a New York Times research carried out through brain imaging, ‘music that people described as highly emotional engaged the reward system deep in their brains — activating subcortical nuclei known to be important in reward, motivation and emotion.’ NYT, Nov 22, 2024, page 300

Music has shown to be able to reduce stress, anxieties and actually improve focus and As people go through emotional experiences, music can provide comfort.

A 2013 study in the Journal of Positive Psychology found that people who listened to upbeat music could improve their moods and boost their happiness in just two weeks.