Music on the Brain

Many of us know how powerful music is; it can change our mood in a matter of minutes, bring us closer with our friends through car ride jam-sessions, or make us feel euphoric through the entrancing energy of concerts. Most of us have that specific playlist for singing in the shower, or crying over a breakup. Music can take our emotions to the extreme, and exaggerate whatever we may be feeling in that moment. Your favorite artist might even know how to express your emotions better than you do. 

Music and Stress

Music is always helpful after a long day, and, especially for me, hits right at home on my drive home from school after a rough eight-period math test. Music is great for the everyday stressors of life, but what about something more serious, like surgery?

One New York trial studied two groups of people having the same surgery. One group was surrounded by silence, while the other listened to music before, during, and after their operation. The trial found that the group listening to music had significantly lower blood pressures than the group that underwent the surgery in silence. This group also reported feeling better and calmer throughout the process.

So what does that mean for us?

As high-schoolers, it is fairly rare that we undergo a serious operation, but that doesn’t mean that we should discount the stress that we go through on a daily basis. Like I said, those eighth period math tests haven’t always been so hot for me. I’ve definitely walked out of school a decent amount with a quickened pulse and a heightened blood pressure. 

We all experience the daily trials of a presentation, homework, or college applications. Some of us may even be going through something at home, such as dealing with the loss of a loved one, or not getting along with your parents as well as you used to. 

Stress affects us in real ways, and it’s important to find ways to cope with this in a healthy manner. 

Music is one of these ways.

Whether it’s playing or just listening, the power of music is undeniable. One of the easiest, and most beneficial things we can do for ourselves is to pull out our phones, go to our music app of choice (I personally prefer Spotify) and pop on a calming playlist to bring down those stress levels and treat ourselves to a little brain food.

Music and Connections

After playing an instrument for nearly ten years, I think that I can speak a little bit to the effects that music has had on me.

Sure, everybody likes to talk about how playing an instrument makes you smarter, makes you better at math, heightens cognitive functioning, but, in my experience, what music boils down to is human connection.

Music can give us an outlet for saying things we may not be able to otherwise say. For example, one of my best friends goes to school at Loyola University. She is off doing amazing things, but I miss her tons and our facetime calls will never be the same as our sleep overs and late night talks. I met her through being in curricular band and extracurricular music groups with her, and because of this, music has always played an essential role in our relationship. Keeping with this theme, she will often send me songs when she thinks I would like them, and has even made me a playlist titled “for Kyra”. 

Our connection began through music, and has only brought us closer throughout our years of friendship.

Music has brought me some of my best friends, and the opportunity to do what you love and play music with your friends is invaluable. It gives us an excuse to hang out at least five times a week and gives us an outlet to blow off some steam with some of the people that you love the most. 

That being said, you don’t have to play music or be a part of band to get the same growth in your relationships. Music is an incredibly powerful tool to let someone know you are thinking about them, and gives you an opportunity to connect with someone over shared feelings. 

Like I mentioned, those car ride jam-sessions can become a cherished memory of a time once free of stress. Music is an outlet to take some of the weight off of your shoulders and build relationships, simply by the press of a play button. So gather up some friends, and go put that playlist on repeat.