Maybe It’s Time to See Music as Food

Just as our bodies need food to survive, our inner world has its own hunger, which can only be satisfied with a special kind of nutrition: Music. If food supports our physical being, then Music is fuel for our inner mind and emotions. Might we consider treating Music with the same care and attention as we do healthy and nutritious food?

Music: food for inner

Every bite we take affects our wellbeing. Healthy food keeps us energetic and strong, while unhealthy food over time depletes our vitality. The same applies to Music. High-quality Music, as well as well-prepared food, refreshes us, raises our mood, and supports our creativity. The soothing melody can feel like sipping a warm cup of tea on a rainy day, bringing comfort and peace. On the other hand, there may be messy or low-quality Music, like unhealthy food, exciting at the moment, but in the long run it will leave us tired and exhausted.

A small shift in the perspective …

If we move our perspective a little bit, we will clearly see that Music is food, food we consume with our ears and that feeds our inner world with every note. It is a universal delicacy that never loses its taste, no matter where we are or what language we speak. The taste may vary from one culture or style to another, but the essence remains the same. This is a magical secret of good Music: it goes beyond boundaries, connects the heart, and nourishes the soul in a way that nothing else can.

The impact of science for Music on mind and body

Research has shown that Music is much more than fun and has deep effects on brain function, emotions, and even physical health.

The health of Music and brain

A study published in Nature Reviews Neuroscience shows that listening to Music activates multiple brain areas at the same time, including those responsible for memory, emotions, and sound processing. This nervous activation helps to improve memory retention and has even been shown to benefit patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

Music Reduces Stress and Anxiety

According to the Journal of Music Therapy, listening to soothing Music, such as classic pieces or natural sounds, reduces cortisol levels (stress hormone) and promotes mental relaxation. Therefore, Music is commonly used in hospitals to help patients manage pain and anxiety.

Music Enhances Physical Performance and Energy Levels

Research from Brunel University in the UK suggests that listening to Music during exercise can increase physical endurance and perseverance. Music rhythm helps to regulate breathing, reduce fatigue, and improve engine coordination.

Music Boosts Creativity and Focus

Stanford University School of Medicine has found that Music, especially instrumental and classical compositions, stimulates the brain’s creative and concentration areas. As a result, Music is an effective tool for improving skills and problem-solving.

Music Strengthens Emotional Bonds and Social Connections

A study from Harvard University shows that engaging with Music in groups, whether singing, playing in an orchestra, or simply listening together, boosts oxytocin levels (the bonding hormone). This highlights Music’s ability to foster emotional connection and social harmony.

How to Build a Healthy Music Diet

Just as we carefully choose what we eat, we should also remember what we listen to. A balanced “Music diet” includes:

• Variety: Exploring various Musical genres keeps our inner world pulsating and nourished.
• Music that corresponds to our mood: just as we long for warm drinks in cold weather, we should choose Music that is in line with our emotional needs.
• Avoiding harmful Music: Some Music, like junk food, may seem enjoyable at first but can leave us feeling mentally and emotionally exhausted over time.

Offer: Music is an Essential Part of Life

Scientific research confirms that Music is not just fun; it is a necessary component for mental and physical well-being. Just as a nutritious diet strengthens the body, the right Music nourishes the brain, emotions, and social connections.

Do you know what would happen if you imagined Music was Yummy food and you had to eat that Yummy Music every day?

Just imagine you have a magical kitchen, but instead of pots and pans, it’s full of Musical instruments: guitars hanging like ladles, drums stacked like mixing bowls, and flutes resting like silver spoons. And instead of flour and sugar, your ingredients are sounds, notes, harmonies, and rhythms, all waiting to be stirred into something amazing.

Every morning, you wake up and step into this Musical kitchen, ready to “cook” your feelings into sound. You get to decide what kind of Music you want to create that day, like choosing what kind of meal your heart needs.

If you’re feeling joyful, maybe you’ll whip up a bright, bouncy melody on an ukulele. It’s like blending a smoothie made of sunshine, laughter, and the feeling of a summer breeze.

If you’re bursting with energy and ready to run, jump, and play, maybe you’ll grab your drums and create a beat that sounds like thunder rolling across the sky – a powerful Musical snack that lifts you up and keeps you moving.

And when the day slows down, when it’s time to breathe and rest, you can sit by your piano and gently play a lullaby. Each note is like a warm hug or a cosy blanket, like sipping hot cocoa while stars twinkle outside your window.

Perhaps it is time to stop seeing Music as a background noise and recognise it as a daily necessity, a vital source of energy, balance, and joy!