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Stimulates most of the areas of your brain -

Music activates almost all of your brain’s regions. It also strengthens connections between different parts of the brain.

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Motivates people to bike harder -

One study showed that while riding bicycles, the participants worked harder while listening to fast music.

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Helps your brain age gracefully -

Music is a great treatment for those living with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Older adults living with such conditions often benefit from music therapy, as it improves their cognition and communication skills.

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Increases workout endurance -

Listening to your favorite workout tracks can boost your physical performance and increase endurance.

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Improves running motivation and performance -

Want an easy way to beat your best running time? Listen to your favorite "pump-up" jam. It will help you run faster and enhance your endurance.

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Speeds up post-workout recovery -

One study found that listening to music, especially slow music, after a workout can help the body recover faster.

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Improves sleep quality -

Listening to classical music has been shown to effectively treat insomnia. Talk about a cheap alternative to sleeping meds!

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Boosts your creativity -

Studies have found that listening to happy music, such as uplifting classical music, can enhance your creativity.

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Helps people eat less -

One study found that playing soft music and dimming the lights can help people slow down while eating. Hence, consuming less food in one sitting.

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Reduces stress -

Research has found that listening to music can relieve stress by triggering our biochemical stress reducers.

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Relieves symptoms of depression -

When you're feeling down, music can help pick you up. However, research suggests the kind of music matters. Classical and meditative sounds are uplifting, while heavy metal and techno can actually make depressive symptoms worse.

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Enhances blood vessel function -

Scientists discovered that the emotions patients experience while listening to music have a healthy effect on blood vessel function. And it also made them feel happier.

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Induces a meditative state -

Listening to slow musical beats can alter brainwave speed, creating brainwave activity similar to when a person is meditating. It can help with easing symptoms of migraines, PMS, and even behavioral issues.

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Improves cognitive performance -

Research shows that background music may enhance performance on cognitive tasks. However, it will depend on whether the music first improves a person's emotional state.

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Increases your motivation -

Studies have shown that uplifting music has the power to increase motivation when it comes to sports and work tasks.

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Relaxes patients before surgery -

One study found that listening to music helped put cardiovascular surgery patients at ease before their procedure.

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Eases stress after surgery -

Not only is music helpful pre-surgery, but another study found that listening to music in bed after surgery also helped relax patients.

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Elevates mood while driving -

Listening to music while driving can positively impact your mood. So if traffic gets you down, put on your favorite jams!

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Helps people perform better in high-pressure situations -

One study found that basketball players prone to performing poorly under pressure were significantly better if they first listened to catchy, upbeat music.

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Reduces anxiety as much as a massage -

One study found that music's effect on anxiety levels is similar to the effect of getting a massage. Now, imagine getting a massage with music!

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Keeps your heart healthy -

Studies show that listening to relaxing music can slow your heart rate and lower your blood pressure.

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Helps cancer patients manage stress and anxiety -

Studies have found that music can help cancer patients communicate their feelings, manage stress, and ease physical pain.

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Eases recovery in stroke patients -

Researchers in Finland concluded that when stroke patients listened to music for two hours a day, their verbal memory and attention improved. They were also more positive than patients who didn't listen to music.

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Boosts your immune system -

Listening to music can help relieve stress and induce states of relaxation by regulating our hormones. And these hormones help your immune system function.

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Elevates mood -

A 2013 study found that music helped put people in a better mood and get in touch with their feelings.

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Regulates your nervous system -

Listening to calm, relaxing music decreases stress hormones. It also releases the reward and relaxation hormones.

Sources: (USA Today) (BetterUp)

See also: Where does our taste in music come from?

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