You’ve probably been told that music can be a powerful study tool. But have you ever wondered why your parents or professors encourage you to pop in those earbuds? Research indicates that music has many benefits for the human body and brain. Notably, it simultaneously stimulates the left and right hemispheres of the brain. This dual activation can optimize learning and bolster memory.
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Tuesday, July 18th
Let’s delve into the impact of music on your body and brain and explore how you can boost your study sessions with the power of song!
Proven to Ease Student Stress
During a busy semester, students can feel a lot of stress. But here’s a simple solution – listen to music while studying! Science says it can help to reduce stress.
Music helps people deal with challenging emotions. If you’re feeling down or distracted by school pressures, try studying with music. It can help you focus and avoid stress and make you more productive.
Reduce Test Anxiety
Studies have shown that music can significantly reduce anxiety levels in students. Listening to music can lower heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormones. Some research suggests that music can reduce anxiety more effectively than certain anti-anxiety drugs.
Listening to classical music, in particular, can enhance well-being and lower anxiety levels. Music is a powerful mood regulator, capable of inducing relaxation and reducing anxiety in various situations. It’s also been found that music can help nursing students who may experience high levels of anxiety that could affect their mental health and academic performance.
One study found that the impact of music on anxiety levels is similar to the effect of getting a massage. So, whether studying for a test or dealing with the everyday stresses of student life, turning on some tunes could be a beneficial way to manage anxiety.
Improve Performance
Anxiety can make studying hard for students. But imagine if you could get a relaxing massage every time you study. That’s how music can help! Studies show that music can lower anxiety much like a massage does. So, if you’re anxious, listen to music while studying. It can help you feel calm and ready to learn.
Also, if you’re stressed, try listening to rap music. A study found that it can uplift listeners and help them handle mental health issues better. There are many types of rap music, so find the one you like to give your brain extra support.
It Helps With Focus
A Stanford study found that music can help college students focus instead of being a distraction. In their study, the researchers used 1800s music and discovered that it activates brain areas related to attention, prediction, and memory updating.
They also found that the type of music matters, as specific musical techniques used by composers like Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven 200 years ago can help the brain organize information. This can be very helpful for students when studying.
Proven To Improve Brain Functions
Music acts as a brain workout, preparing it for future challenges. People who learn music early, especially before age seven, have healthier brains and are less likely to get diseases like Alzheimer’s or Dementia.
But you don’t have to be a certain age to benefit from music. Whether you’re a first-year or final-year student, you can start giving your brain a workout right now by listening to music when you study.
This article based on “The Benefits of Studying with Music” published on fnu.edu
