Music is popularly used for entertainment; however, it also has some amazing benefits for your mental health.

Therefore, instead of thinking of music as pure entertainment, you could consider some of the major mental benefits of incorporating music into your everyday life.

According to the National Library of Medicine, scientific research has shown that it can influence physiological processes that enhance physical and mental wellbeing. Consequently, it can have critical adaptive functions. Studies on patients diagnosed with mental disorders have shown a visible improvement in their mental health after interventions using music as a primary tool.

Verywell Mind suggests the following benefits music can have on your mental health:

Reduces stress and anxiety.

Listening to music can have a calming effect on the mind and body which can be beneficial for reducing stress and anxiety levels. Music also has the ability to slow down your heart rate and lower your blood pressure.

Improves mood.

If you are having a horrible day, consider listening to some of your tunes. Music has the ability to lift your mood and make you feel happier from the funk you may find yourself in. According to research, listening to the music that you enjoy releases dopamine, a chemical in the brain that is associated with pleasure and reward.

Enhances focus and concentration.

If you struggle with concentration, or have a hard time focusing, music can help us concentrate better, particularly when performing repetitive tasks. It can also improve our memory and retention of information. According to Web MD, in order to get the most benefit from your music, listen to music you enjoy. Classical or instrumental music with guitars or other string instruments might be less distracting, but you can use anything that’s not too fast or too wordy.

Facilitates emotional expression.

Music can help us express our emotions in a safe and healthy way. It can also help us process difficult emotions, such as grief or sadness.