“What kind of music do you like?”
It’s probably one of the first questions you’re asked or ask when meeting someone new, but whether you’re a Belieber, into metal, classical or K-Pop, music is doing more for you than you might realise.
Music is often linked with helping to reduce stress and anxiety, combat depression, improve focus and mental functioning, boost motivation and can aid healthy sleeping patterns. It can also help you connect with others and express yourself.
Bring it on
There’s always a song that just picks you up and makes you feel unstoppable. That song that you can’t help but sing and dance along and when you find your jam, you’re that little bit closer to being able to take on the world.
So use it. Times get hard and life throws you into struggle street but when you have your own things that you know make you feel better, you can take a time out to rebuild yourself so you can keep going. It’s OK to pop on your headphones or take some time to crank music in the car, your bedroom or where ever.
Listening to music can help kick stress
Yes, music can help you feel better. If you’re feeling down, sometimes music can help you express your emotions in a healthy way and get it off your chest. It can also boost your concentration and increase your cognitive ability (help you think clearly). Music can also change your mood; so your playlists can help pick you up, calm you down or help you focus.
Music as a career
You don’t have to be Khalid or Ruby Fields to make a living from music, here are just a few of the many areas an interest in music can lead to.
- There’s live music (think audio engineering, recording, radio host, event planning and even over to the food trucks providing heavenly snacks and food to all the punters), as well as the photographers and journalists in the press pit and backstage.
- If you’re into costume design, hair and makeup, you’ll find yourself at home working on music videos, live performances and in theatre.
- A career in music therapy combines musical expression and healing, helping people both emotionally and physically through music.
- Within a recording studio there’s a range of roles that keep the place running and keep those records turning. From the engineer at the mixing desk, to the producer to front office staff (managing bookings/payment and more).
- Music videos need producers, camera operators, lights, set and directors to come together.
- If you want to start right now, check out how to start your own Vlog or online tutorials.
- There’s also music teachers, session artists, dancers, folly artists (making sound effects), film and TV scoring and more.
If you’re interested, you never know where it might take you.
