As you already know, listening to melodies and sounds influences our psycho-physical state and can have stimulating or relaxing effects on our mood, starting from here today we will discover the benefits of music and why music is a panacea in the morning.
The term Power Music has now become common parlance and we use it to indicate an adrenaline-filled song that “pushes”, that is, characterised by high BPM (beats per minute), a bit like “Running to Rock”, the most followed playlist on Spotify which stands between 170 and 190 BPM.
In the morning we recommend that you choose this type of music because high BPMs significantly increase the level of excitement and good mood , so it is the best way to start the day.
Music, a “legal drug”
Don't be scared, we're not the ones saying that, Dr. Costas Karageorghis of Brunel University in London says so, in fact he believes that listening to music is a type of "legal drug" that improves performance.
He has also been studying the biohacking (i.e. positively influencing our functioning, because it is better to improve health in a preventative way rather than fight with possible future diseases) capabilities of music on performance for more than 20 years and is one of the world's leading experts on the psychology of music in physical exercise.
Music tunes your mood
Music, or rather the sound waves that our hearing perceives in the brain are converted into electrochemical nerve signals, high pitched and loud sounds activate the brain to release cortisol, increase the heart rate and trigger a “fight or flight” response, ideally within 30 min. of waking up , so not just high BPM, but high volume.
Fight stress by choosing the right BPM
Music, like a cold shower in the morning , can reduce stress and positively affect your body in a variety of ways. The slower a song is, the more likely you are to breathe deeper , have lower blood pressure, and a lower heart rate. Faster music has the opposite effect : pumping up your vitals and getting you moving, which is exactly what you need in the morning.
Top 5 Benefits of Music
We have reached the central point of our article, music is a panacea in the morning , but what are its beneficial effects? Let's find out together
1. Music increases happiness
This may seem obvious, but the natural chemical process that occurs is pretty incredible.
If you need an emotional boost, just listening to your favorite tunes for 15 minutes can give you a natural “high.” That’s because your brain releases endorphins and dopamine, neurotransmitters that lead to greater feelings of happiness, excitement, and joy when you listen to music you like.
2. Improves physical performance
Music improves physical performance (with a so-called ergogenic effect), reduces perceived effort and increases physiological efficiency .
Improved performance has been demonstrated on both aerobic (e.g. running, cycling, elliptical) and anaerobic (e.g. weight lifting, Wingate test) activities.
3. Improves cognitive performance
Music, and also light, act as psychoactive substances, improving cognitive ability, especially in favor of learning and memory , but also on a wide variety of cognitive factors.
I'll let you in on a secret: singing your favorite song helps your brain function . So, after you get out of bed, jump in the shower and put on a concert!
4. Strengthens the immune system
Music has been shown to improve immune parameters and effectively reverse the negative effects of stress on the number and capacity of lymphocytes necessary for optimal immunological response against disease.
5. Listening to the right music increases energy alertness
A recent Australian study found that certain sounds can decrease morning grogginess , also called perceived sleep inertia, so you wake up faster and feel more alert.
Songs with rhythmic melodies appear to have an energizing effect , “increasing arousal, cognition, and attention,” which helps you feel less groggy when you wake up.
The right music for every occasion
We want to end this article by giving you some practical advice (BPM ranges) to choose the ideal music for the various moments of your morning routine . Let it be clear, we are not recommending which songs or artists to listen to, but only which type of songs are most suitable.
- Wake Up and Wake Up : Many people use their favorite song as their alarm in the morning. Do the same, choose a bright and lively tune, no lower than 120 BPM, to wake up on the right foot every day.
- Sweat : Nothing gets your blood pumping like a personalized workout playlist. While every workout routine is different, always choose songs between 120 and 160 BPM because remember: more movement = more performance.
- Breathe deeply : Like creative flow, gentle melodies around 50-80 BPM can induce a meditative state. Find instrumental music that relaxes you. Clear your mind and focus on measured breathing to slow down your thoughts.
What you have just read are our tips for setting up your morning music routine at its best, but we want to do more, in fact below find our last bonus tip for the evening:
- Sweet dreams : Music around 60 BPM can induce alpha brainwaves, which are ideal for relaxing and sleeping after listening to such music for about 45 minutes. Listen to the right soundtracks to enjoy a stress-free sleep.
Sources:
- Applying Music in Exercise and Sport, Dr. Costas Karageorghis Review Psychol Bull. 2020 Feb;146(2):91-117. doi: 10.1037/bul0000216. Epub 2019 Dec 5.
- J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2020 Mar;60(3):486–492. doi:10.23736/S0022-4707.19.10228-9. Epub 2019 Dec 5.
- Brain Res Bull. 2016 Mar;121:131-7. doi: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2016.01.009. Epub 2016 Jan 21.
- Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. Published: January 28, 2020; https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0215 788
