Music is all around us; in restaurants, in concerts, even in the rumble of cars on the street. But most importantly, it’s in the devices that we carry around with us on the daily. Music is one of those things that everyone can relate to, no matter if you listen to pop, rock, country, soul, jazz, blues, hip hop, rap, gospel, or whatever else you are interested in.

Music is very powerful. It can help us to calm down, focus, feel happy, or just destress. According to researchers at Stanford University, “Current findings indicate that music around 60 beats per minute can cause the brain to synchronize with the beat causing alpha brainwaves (frequencies from 8 – 14 hertz or cycles per second). This alpha brainwave is what is present when we are relaxed and conscious. To induce sleep (a delta brainwave of 5 hertz), a person may need to devote at least 45 minutes, in a relaxed position, listening to calming music.”  These researchers have also said that “listening to music seems to be able to change brain functioning to the same extent as medication.”

When you listen to music, it has an impact on your emotions and thoughts. Music can help you study, calm down, get excited, or just give you something to dance to. It has been around since the beginning of time. Sounds were meant to help us with our emotions. 

For me, any kind of music helps me to kind of calm down and focus. I listen to music almost all day long because school makes me feel overwhelmed, and music helps me in my day to day life. I listen to music that ranges anywhere from country music, to rock like AC/DC, to old rock, to gospel music. All of it helps me to focus and calm down. But this may not work for all people. Some have to listen to a certain genre of music depending on the mood that they are in. 

Either way, music affects your mind and soul and is a good way to help you out in most situations. Thanks to modern technology, we have the means to listen to whatever music we want at the push of a button or the tap of a screen.