Everybody has heard the saying “music fuels the soul” before, but what exactly is it fueling? Harvard Health writes that music is a fundamental attribute of the human species.
Some call music the language of feelings and passion. Many say that music is a direct reflection of your state of mind—and I couldn’t agree more. Here’s why.
We all listen to music and connect to it on an emotional level, whether we realize it or not. Most people tend to listen to music that is a direct reflection of how they feel. If you’re feeling down that day, you may lean towards more sad and downbeat songs; however, if you are having a really good day and you are pumped up, you could find yourself listening to upbeat, hype music. But how does that leave you feeling?
When you find yourself having a good time, listening to happy music can help amplify your feelings of joy. Upbeat and happy music activate the brain’s reward center, which causes a release of dopamine. Music has a direct effect on the mind and body—listening to happy music can make you feel more optimistic, bring a heightened emotional state and simply match your happy mood, creating a loop of joy and energy.
It makes a lot more sense that upbeat music will boost one’s mood, but when it comes to downbeat music and worsening moods, it gets a little complicated. Music is intensely personal. If you are alone and feeling negative, then it can remind you of a painful memory, creating a deeper feeling of sadness.
However, I don’t think this is a negative thing; I believe that this is one of the healthiest ways to release emotions. Since the sadness that is being triggered is due to the music and not a real-life crisis, it acts as a temporary distraction. It allows you to experience and process your emotions in a safe, isolated context.
Listening to sad music can also be biologically beneficial: It can trigger the hormone prolactin, which is associated with crying and grief. The release of these hormones can help you feel calm or peaceful after the song ends.
All in all, I think music is the fuel to the soul. Music has a much larger impact on our well-being than we acknowledge. It has the power to alter one’s mood – making you happy or sad – and can act as an outlet. It is something that everyone in the world can connect with.
