The Power of Music as a Means to Cope Amongst the Pandemic

While COVID-19 has impacted our lives in more ways than one, it is undeniable that music has remained a light and comfort throughout it all. Despite the lack of in-person concerts and music-making collaborations, music still gifts us a sense of social connectedness. And the great thing is you do not have to be a skilled singer, musician, or dancer to reap the benefits of music listening and performing. 

The Science

According to Jessica Pouranfar, a music therapist at Northwestern Medicine, “Studies have found that singing decreases feelings of depression and loneliness. You don’t have to be a great singer to sing! Also, any kind of active engagement in music can help relieve stress such as playing an instrument or moving/dancing to music”. When listening to music, your body releases the chemicals called dopamine (a “feel-good” chemical), as well as serotonin (a “happy” chemical). The release of these two boosts your mood to allow you to stay motivated and feel good about yourself.

Alongside dopamine and serotonin released while listening to music, singing has been strongly correlated to the release of oxytocin. Oxytocin is a chemical that alleviates feelings of stress and anxiety. Living through a global crisis certainly has pressed underlying stress on our lives, so using singing an outlet to cope amongst the pandemic is essential. In other studies, listening to songs can reduce your heart rate, blood pressure, and anxiety, and distract your body from pain.

In studies in music therapy, children exposed to music reap many benefits including the improvement of cognitive functioning, the ability to understand and approach challenging situations, teach them important lessons, and become emotionally attuned to their emotions. As well as a coping mechanism, children learn to associate activities and lessons through songs to promote memorization and positive affiliations. 

Music has the ability to travel with us, and enter our lives at any given moment of time. It creates a sense of community, even when not face to face, and a sense of normalcy in a wave of uncertainty. Let music fill your soul with gratitude and guide you through times of hardship and prosperity.

SOURCES:

“The Power of Music to Help Cope with COVID-19,” Northwestern Medicine

“How Music Can Help Soothe Stress, Anxiety, And The Soul,” The Well by Northwell