Music Makes Us Happy

Music

Music is the soundtrack to my life. I grew up listening to music. My parents enjoyed music and I remember their vinyl collection of records we played that included Elton John, The Beatles and James Taylor. They also listened to folk music and we were often taken along to small concerts with them. I remember the radio always being on. Making space for the things that make you happy is one of the key concepts of Intentional Happiness.

As a teenager in the 80’s I got to hear the abundance of pop music that came out of the UK and US at that time. I would record songs off the radio and make mixed tapes. Even now, I remember pretty much all the words to most of the songs!

But most of all, music gave me an identity. I was an anxious, shy outsider with few friends. My oldest friend, who I met on my first day of school, and I would hang out at the mall on a Saturday afternoon and I often bought an album. We were both getting into rock music and we quickly met and talked to lots of other teenagers into the same music. I had found my tribe!

I love live music and when I lived in Scotland, I went regularly to gigs. When I moved to Munich, that mostly stopped as I didn’t know anyone who shared the same taste in music and then I had my son and wasn’t able to go out. About 2 years ago, I realised that going to live music was a huge gap in my life and in my happiness and so i decided to consciously allocate my precious time and money to going to see bands. I also didn’t let going alone stop me. In fact I quite enjoyed rockin up to a new venue and losing myself in the music. In 2019, before the pandemic closed the whole concert scene down I even saw 3 concerts in one week. What a week that was- Elton John on his farewell tour, KISS on there goodbye tour and David Garrett. I was so happy that week!

Most of all, music has always helped me destress, unwind, release my stresses and problems of the day and given me energy, joy and fun. Overall I have an amazing time at a concert and then long-lasting memories to replay in my mind and to savor.

And research backs up what I have experienced. A huge Global Survey on Music by Sonos found that music positively impacts 4 areas of our lives:

Mood

The survey found that 74% of people said listening to music reduced their stress. And 52% said they felt happier when listening to their favourite song.

Fitness

68% of participants said that listening to music whilst exercising helped them to keep motivated. They also said music helped them workout longer (52%), Push themselves harder (55%) and increase the intensity of their exercise (51%). Basically music helps to distract us and stimulate us whilst exercising.

Connection

70% of participants stated that they found others more attractive when they had similar taste in music and 76% said they felt more connected to others with similar taste in music.

Productivity

67% stated that music made them more productive than coffee! And 76% said that listening to music helps them produce their best work.

Conclusion

Music is something we naturally gravitate to in order to improve our mood or feel our emotions through. Don’t underestimate how simply turning your favourite song up to 11 can give you a boost of happiness.

I’d love to hear from you. Share with me your favourite music memories and how music makes you feel.