Music Is Food For The Soul And The Brain | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Music Is Food For The Soul And The Brain

Jamming to your favorite song not only lifts your spirits, but it also helps uniquely exercise the brain.

66
Music Is Food For The Soul And The Brain
Haris

Everyone has an interest, a passion, something that acts as an outlet and holds a special place in her or his heart. It doesn’t have to be anything you’re good at. In fact, you could be the worst painter a canvas could ever meet; but painting can still be what brings peace to your mind and allows the world around you to find a bit of tranquility for once.

Growing up with a musician as a father, I was introduced to music practically the moment I was born. I can belt any Elton John, Billy Joel or even some Van Halen hits at the drop of a beat. My father gave me piano, guitar and ukulele lessons throughout my life at home, too, since he taught himself how to play at a young age. But now don’t get me wrong; no matter how many times I tried for that perfect C Major chord, my fingers simply never seemed to stretch properly down the fretboard of my guitar. And even though I hop on my keyboard every so often in college to brush up on my piano skills, I still honestly can’t consider myself to be much more than an amateur. Regardless, music will forever be my passion, as I know it is for many others.

Music is more than the bang of a drum or the vibrato behind a voice. It speaks to your soul and fuels your mind. Music has the power to take you to another place and distract your mind from troubles you might be facing in the real world.

It also provides many healthful benefits for our brains. Introducing children to music aids in their language development, specifically, while also stimulating other parts of the brain that can increase their overall IQ level.

When playing an instrument, you also learn discipline. It takes patience and determination to remember various notes and melodies. Further research has found, too, that musicians have stronger spatial-temporal skills, which helps them in subjects like math and engineering due to increased problem solving, multitasking and memorization skills.

Aside from brain development, music can also very well relax listeners by reducing heart rates, blood pressure and the sting of a headache. And depending what’s on your playlist, certain songs have an affect on your mood. Rock and country are two genres that are better known to lift your spirits, and they create a great social atmosphere; hence why most bars play rock or country songs for their guests. Softer genres like jazz and classical, though, may be played to mellow a crowd, like in more upscale restaurants, businesses or stores. Personally, I enjoy alternative music when I’m looking to kick back for the night, and my hip pop station on Pandora is my go-to for when it’s time to hit the gym.

So whether you’re a brilliant violinist or a horrendous singer, a passion is a passion. When you find something that makes you happy, keep it near to your heart and share the love wherever you go. Adoring such a rewarding art like music is a beautiful gift. Sure a background in music might score you a little higher on tests or give you a greater spark of creativity in your mind, but what matters most is the tingle of bliss that never fails to run from your ears to your toes when you’re lost in your favorite song.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

126127
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

28166
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

26233
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments