THE ESSENTIAL
- Most of the participants were 27 years old and 69.9% were female.
- Listening to music before, during or after an operation can facilitate the patient’s recovery.
It is a universal human experience. People of all ages and cultures listen to music in good times and bad. Some even use songs as therapy. “However, valid research examining the association of real-time music listening with stress and mood during the Covid-19 outbreak is sparse,” said researchers from the University of Vienna in Austria.
To learn more about the benefits of music in difficult times, they conducted a study published in the journal JAMA Network Open. As part of this work, the team recruited 711 Italian and Austrian adults. Between April 1 and May 8, 2020, participants had to report data on their mood and stress level five times a day while listening to music during the lockdowns.
Music, an “accessible tool” that helps to be less stressed and in a better mood
According to the results, listening to music, “particularly perceived as cheerful”, during this difficult time was significantly associated with lower levels of stress. Listening to their favorite songs also helped the volunteers, especially those with chronic anxiety, to be in a better mood.
“Individuals who experience increased momentary and/or chronic stress due to pandemic-related restrictions might find music an easily accessible tool for stress and mood management in everyday life,” concluded the authors.
What are the other benefits of music?
Several researches have also shown that music can turn nightmares into positive dreams. Another virtue: it also helps to recreate the link between patients suffering from dementia and their relatives or caregivers. Listening to songs, especially classical music, can also relieve pain, heart problems and high blood pressure.