Music Hobbies

AKA: Musical Hobbies

Introduction

On the benefits of music, and hobbies that can bring more music into our lives.

The harmony of music affords a lively image of the harmonies of the world and of human life […]Plato, The Republic

Either listened to or created, music is beneficial:

Music relaxes us

Research has shown that listening to music can reduce anxiety, blood pressure, and pain as well as improve sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, and memory.
Keep Your Brain Young with Music | Johns Hopkins Medicine

woman in gray tank top lying on bed — Music is relaxing.

Music lifts us

In 26 studies, a statistically significant reduction in depression levels was found over time in the experimental (music intervention) group compared to a control or comparison group.
Reviewing the Effectiveness of Music Interventions in Treating Depression – PMC

woman holding acoustic guitar — Music is there for us when we feel down.

Music revives us

These results combined to suggest that listening to relaxing music alleviated the mental fatigue associated with performing an enduring cognitive-motor task.
Effects of Relaxing Music on Mental Fatigue Induced by a Continuous Performance Task: Behavioral and ERPs Evidence – PMC

woman in red long sleeve shirt and blue denim jeans standing on brown field — Music recharges us.

Music enhances our cognitive performance

Overall, background music tended to improve performance over no music and white noise […]
The cognitive effects of listening to background music on older adults: processing speed improves with upbeat music, while memory seems to benefit from both upbeat and downbeat music – PMC

side view of young multiracial students with earphones learning information from notebooks while using mobile phone — Music can help us concentrate.

Music enhances physical activity

Overall, results supported the use of music listening across a range of physical activities to promote more positive affective valence, enhance physical performance (i.e., ergogenic effect), reduce perceived exertion, and improve physiological efficiency.
Effects of Music in Exercise and Sport: A Meta-Analytic Review

man in white crew neck t shirt running — Music improves physiological efficiency.

Music brings us together

Studies indicate that social relatedness or affiliation is one of the main purposes people listen to music.

crowd in front of people playing musical instrument during nighttime — Music provides social relatedness and affiliation.

Music is simply fun

Scientifically, the dorsal and ventral striatum release dopamine when listening to pleasurable music.
Music and Dopamine – Potential in Movement Disorders | Journal of Brain and Nerves | Science Repository

woman in blue denim button up vest holding a walkman — Music is fun.

And music does it well

Comparison with other leisure activities indicated that for the most part, listening to music was rated better than other leisure activities at serving an individual’s different needs.
Why do we listen to music? A uses and gratifications analysis | British Journal of Psychology

If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.Albert Einstein

Now, are you ready to find a hobby for bringing more music into your life?