Music moves and motivates

IF you’re feeling a little sluggish, playing more music at home could be energising.

Clinical psychologist and Federation University lecturer, Professor Gerard Kennedy said music stimulates most areas of the brain and heightens positive emotion, because feelgood neurotransmitters are released.

“Music acts on the reward centres in the brain, stimulating dopamine releasing neurons, part of the medial forebrain bundle,” he said.

“At times when you listen to certain types of music, you can almost feel pure joy. That might be a great opera singer, whatever takes your fancy, and it tends to make you feel really happy.”

Those isolating at home, experiencing uncertainty and worry about the future, may take comfort in the fact that music has played a role in the diverse healing practices of cultures worldwide, an in traditional medicine.

“Music can improve post-surgery recovery outcomes for people, it’s often used with dementia patients to make them feel good, it can reduce stress and anxiety, and aid your memory,” Professor Kennedy said.

“It can also help you exercise. When you put on certain types of upbeat music, it makes you feel uplifted, you want to move, get up and dance around.

“It’s very much an individual thing and can be tied to cultural aspects, from Irish music to Zumba dance music, disco to classical, which is said to be good for uplifting the spirit.”

Holding instrumental playing skills, or a love of singing, can also encourage relaxation.

“If you sing with a group of people, you can sync your heart and breathing rates with them, which has a calming effect. Even singing to a child can be calming for them, and you.

“If you’re lucky enough to be able to play an instrument, then there’s additional benefits there. Some brains can do it easier than others, but all of us could learn some basics,” Professor Kennedy said.

With lots more time around the house, there’s always jobs to be done, and he said music is a driver if you’re struggling to start mundane tasks.

“If you can occupy your mind with jobs like cleaning the clothes closet, sorting draws, cupboards and bookcases, and you’ve got music on in the background, it can be helpful to make you feel good and move around a bit more.

“Have your exercise inducing music on to get you going. It’s a great motivator. You can be jumping around while you’re doing your vacuuming,” Professor Kennedy laughed.