Music and Our Wellbeing

It is well understood that music can have a powerful impact on our feelings, energy levels and, for those reasons, how it can positively influence our day. We have all experienced a piece of music that generates sadness, or, had our favourite song play and feel our mood improve. It can also help boost the intensity at which we train or help us relax into a power nap. These are well-known effects. For those interested in a little science: listening to music can trigger the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which are associated with pleasure and happiness. Studies have also shown that music can also help reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels in the body. In short, it can be an effective tool for relaxation and stress management. So can we use music in any additional ways to enhance your energy and mental wellbeing at Base? Here are insights from a globally respected neuroscientist into how music generates various benefits:

Andrew Huberman PhD. is a neuroscientist and professor in the departments of neurobiology, psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford School of Medicine, USA.

In addition, here’s a few tips and ideas to successfully implement music into your day

Create Personalised Playlists

Tailor playlists for different times of the day to match the rhythm of your activities or your moods. Start with upbeat favourites in the morning and switch to mellow, relaxing beats by the evening to unwind, preparing our bodies to enter rest and digest mode. For instance, a morning playlist might feature classic ‘Dad’ rock or powerful classical ballads, while task-specific playlists, like those for running, help keep you motivated and energized. If you normally train while at base but feel less able to do so now, maybe putting some music on first and then doing a shorter easier routine will help improve how you feel for the last few weeks or days. It may be about finding a new balance at this part of the season. Alternatively many music apps have pre-built playlists to suit a time of day, task etc.

To Boost Your Mood Choose Familiar and Uplifting Music

Choose songs that evoke feelings of home, good times and comfort. Avoid tracks that could induce sadness. It may be also worth noting that your music taste may differ slightly from day-to -day so having plenty of variety in your playlists can help avoid Groundhog Day type of feelings.

Collaborate

Why not share some of your favourite songs or even playlists with your friends at Base? It may help others and generate some fun too. We’ve touched on some of the benefits of using music but there are others too.

Without going into too much detail, benefits include;

1. Emotional Regulation and Stress Relief: deliberately using music to change how we feel and enjoy improved moods is a simple tool. We probably don't use it enough! Perhaps create a better mood before calling home or going to the bar with others…how we feel directly impacts others. So improving how we feel can really help someone else who may be struggling. Music can be really powerful in an unconscious, invisible way for improving social connection and cohesion.

2. Enhanced Mental Performance and decision-making…which can improve safety while working.

3. Pain Management…this can be very beneficial if you have accumulated some musculoskeletal stress over the season. Explore which type of music may help. There are very deeply relaxing playlists which can be explored. Obviously, if any track seems to make anything worse then try different ones.

4. Improved Sleep Quality or help power naps: remember power naps work best when no longer than 30 minutes unless you can sleep for 90 minutes. The best time for a power nap may be when you finish work if you want to grab some rest before doing something social in the evening. Don't power nap in the day if it compromises workplace safety in any way.

Please Be Aware

We are encouraging the subtle and respectful use of music on site. Any sound or music can become an excessive stimulus and quickly overwhelm our senses if we are not careful i.e. it can become a distraction, if the music is too loud or has offensive lyrics. It is critical not to play music so loud as you can’t hear potentially important messages, alarms or cause concentration to falter. Please listen to music safely.

Colleagues

If you are playing music which others can hear, please be respectful of your colleagues and their different preferences when it comes to music, it is called music taste after all!

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© 2012 7Futures Ltd. Please note that at 7Futures, our role is to help educate and encourage our clients to take positive responsibility for their wellbeing. We are not medical doctors and are not able to offer individual medical advice. We always recommend you should discuss with your GP or other medical professional before making any changes you hope will impact your wellbeing, or that of your current/future family.  7Futures Ltd offers generic information which is for educational purposes only. The information we provided is not a prescription system and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. As such our materials, videos products and communications are for general information purposes only and should not be read as a personal recommendation for specific changes in lifestyle behaviour, nutrition, or exercise. Please click here for a clear description of our services and the relationship with you as a client. You should not participate in any of our services until you have studied this link...it is for your benefit.