I have a daily newsletter subscription from Web MD and when I opened my mail today, interestingly I found this really cool quiz about the health benefits of music. So of course I took it and got all answers correctly except for one (which I would’ve gotten if I hadn’t changed my mind on the answer). Yey!!! Just proves I am a music genius! Hahaha…. (I can dream, can’t I?)
The link to the quiz is below but I am sharing the quiz answers (because I can and I am a party pooper, hehe) so it is easier to digest rather than actually taking the quiz.
So what are the health benefits of music?
Here are Web MDs answers:
Music Trivia # 1: Do you know what an earworm is?
No, not the literal one, thank goodness!
An earworm is a song that lodges itself in your brain. People who say music is important to them have a harder time getting rid of earworms. Next time you can’t get a song off your mind, just know that it will go away. That works better than trying to trying to block it out.
This made me realize, my ear is full of earworms… yikes.. if this were to be literal, I’d die!!
Music Trivia # 2: Do you think those piano lessons you took when you were a kid are helping you now?
Apparently, it does!
Playing a musical instrument trains the brain. The effects can last long after you quit. College students who had music lessons as children were better able to pick out pitch and other key elements of sound than those who hadn’t. That was the case even if the music lessons had ended years earlier.
Music Trivia # 3: Do people who are “tone deaf” or are unable to carry a tune, usually have hearing problems?
Not all.
About 1 in 50 people are “tone deaf.” Their hearing is fine, but they don’t notice when someone hits the wrong musical note. It may be inherited.
I am so thankful I am one of the 49 who aren’t – otherwise, that would be a total bummer.
Music Trivia #4: Do faster –paced music make you work out harder?
If you guessed yes, then you are right!
There’s a good reason for choosing an upbeat song over a moody ballad when you exercise. In one study, men cycled harder and quicker, and enjoyed it more, when listening to faster music.
Music Trivia #5: Do you think feel good music is good for your heart?
And the answer is a hearty YES! (Ofcourse I had to use the word hearty, duh!!)
Your favorite songs don’t just make you tap your feet or boost your mood; they might also be good for your heart. Researchers at the University of Maryland found that when people listened to music that made them feel good, they had better blood flow, which is good for your heart and blood vessels.
Music Trivia #6: Music can help during stroke recovery?
Aha! And you thought I was just imagining all this music therapy thing, right? (I guess I should start adding PhD in Music after my last name on every paper I write my name on, ey?)
After a stroke, people who listened daily to their favorite music remembered more, could focus better, and were less depressed and confused than those who hadn’t, one study shows.The reason isn’t clear, but one possibility is that listening to music involves several parts of the brain.
Music Trivia #7: If you have speech problems from Parkinson’s disease, music therapy may help with?
(I swear, the article really did say “music therapy”) And apparently, it even helps with Parkinson’s disease too!
If you have Parkinson’s disease, you may have slurred or unclear speech because of breathing problems or trouble moving your mouth or tongue. Through music therapy, you can learn how to “sing” words and hold single syllables to get better breath support. If you focus on the rhythm of a piece of music, it might help you walk or move better. Music can also slow down your body when it’s overactive.
Music Trivia #8: Kids who play an instrument or sing often are more likely to?
This is the part I got incorrectly as I was assuming the answer would be very health-related but hey, I like the correct answer better too especially because I have a little musiCOOLogist at home! 😉 You may refer to my previous post.
You may tire of hearing your child sing the Sesame Street song or play drums, but it may be worth it in the long run. Music builds reasoning skills and helps children learn and remember. Children who regularly play an instrument or sing are more likely to go to college, and to do well in math, science, and reading.
Now that you know there are multiple health benefits from listening to music, why not join in me in musiCOOLogy 101 classes and be happier and healthier!!! Just as the doctor prescribed… 😉
nmed @ 10:18am 06/19/14
(thanks to google search for pictures above)
musiCOOLogy 101 
[…] you’re like me who has a huge tendency to get earworms (i.e. a song that lodges itself in your brain) and you’re also into reggae music, then you’ve […]
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