imagining health in social and cultural contexts

It has been shown via brain scans that when we listen to or perform music, nearly all brain regions are active simultaneously. The impact of music on our brain is being better understood thanks to advances in neuroscience and the examination of music’s impact on the brain. It can potentially affect disease, depression, expenditure, productivity, and our outlook on life. Songs are used to define spiritual ceremonies, toddlers learn the alphabet via rhyme and verse, and malls and restaurants, where we choose to spend our free time, are rarely silent.īut how much can this ever-present object influence our behavior and emotions? According to research, music has a significant impact on humans. Music has the potential to be a powerful healing tool in a variety of ways and pervades every aspect of our existence. Music therapy is often used to improve attention and memory, and can have a positive effect on those suffering from dementia or Alzheimers. We also know that music emotionally impacts us, reaching into forgotten memories and connecting us to ourselves. We all know that being exposed to music’s beauty, rhythm, and harmony significantly influences how we feel. So much about our brains is still being discovered but through neurology, we are learning more and more about how music affects us.

Thanks to the music artists who have put their heart and soul into creating, we feel connected with other people and their difficulties, challenges, and emotions. Music’s effect on the self is far-reaching, tapping into our memories, subconscious thoughts, emotions, and interests. Music’s Effect on Our Thoughts and Actions – Creating a venue for education and idea-sharing – Helping us cope by encouraging us to express ourselves through movement and dancing – Providing a platform for the underrepresented to speak out Thankfully, while it can help us “find ourselves,” music influence on society can also be seen in: They are among the masses trying to find their role in society and form connections with others. A person who has been affected by music is not alone.

Music can unite people – even if absorbed in solitude, capture your imagination and boost creativity. Songs and melodies have the power to inspire people, guide their actions, and aid in the formation of identities. We connect with others via music, especially those who produce or perform it - we recite their lyrics, dance to their melodies, and form a sense of connection through their self-expression.

It even functions to improve our physical health, as it’s been proven that high-tempo music results in better workouts. When we’re worried, it can soothe us when we’re weary, it can encourage us and when we’re feeling deflated, it can re-inspire us. When we need it, music gives us energy and motivation. How does music affect our lives? Music has the ability to deeply affect our mental states and raise our mood. Humans often feel that “no one understands them” or knows how they “truly feel.” Many resort to music to find connections with others to express themselves or find a sense of understanding among peers. Music has the power to connect with and influence people in a way that feels fundamentally different from other forms of communication. It has evolved into a tool for healing and self-expression, often dictating how we, as individuals, take steps to impact society. Around the world, music is being used as a vehicle for social change and bringing communities together.Īt the core of our everyday experience with music, we use it to relax, express ourselves, come to terms with our emotions, and generally improve our well-being. It can help in the healing process, dismantling walls and boundaries, reconciliation, and education. Music, as a cultural right, may aid in the promotion and protection of other human rights. Learning how music and social bonding are linked is especially crucial in times of conflict when other lines of communication prove to be challenging. When people from one culture exchange music with each other, they gain valuable insight into another way of life. Music is an essential aspect of all human civilizations and has the power to emotionally, morally, and culturally affect society.

Imagining health in social and cultural contexts