How Music Education Improves Mental Health

Many argue that music classes in schools are useless to students. Some parents believe that their kids need standard classes such as Language Arts and Math. These parents do not realize the tremendous mental benefits that music classes have. Most students are stressed while they are at school. The amount of schoolwork given, level of difficulty, and extracurriculars can bring anxiety to many if not all students. Music classes are proven to boost the mental health of students. Due to the benefits that music has on people, an occupation has been created to share the wonderful benefits of music. This occupation is music therapy, which is one of many music occupations in the world. Music therapy is used in hospitals, nursing homes, and many other places because of all of the benefits. Some of the benefits that music education presents include being less stressed and anxious, having a group of people that have the same interests, and improved mood.

Listening to music causes people to relax and calm down. Students become stressed with all the school work that they are dealing with on a daily basis on top of after school activities, work, family issues, and much more. If students had at least one period out of the day where they could release their stress, their mental state would be more positive. There have been studies to show that students who are in music classes are less anxious than students who only take standard classes throughout their school day. This does not mean that music students are not still anxious, but they are less anxious than they would be. All of the schoolwork that is given to students can overwhelm them and create anxiousness and worry. Music calms people down and lowers nervousness. This is why there are different genres of music. Different types of music can make people feel different emotions. For example, a person might listen to dark and sorrowful music when they are feeling down or listen to happy and fast-paced music when they are feeling joyful. Music can influence these moods.

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Many students feel as though they cannot find a group of people that fits in with their interests or personality type. Personally, I have made the most friends through my music classes and music activities such as choir, symphonic band, and the musical. Within these music classes are people who share the same love for music and often just click with one another. The more positive friends one has, the happier they are. This will decrease anxiety and depression in students. The people who are involved in music classes might never meet if their school does not offer any music classes. This is an opportunity for students to branch out and meet people outside of the same few they see almost every class period in their regular classes. This will expand the amount of friends that students will make, which will boost their school experience. Nobody wants to feel left out or alone. There is not one person on this planet that does not want a friend. As humans, we naturally desire to feel loved. The more friends we have, the more loved we feel. These classes create a wide range of people that we hang out with. The more people we know in our school, the more we will feel like a family and motivate one another in the classroom. This can also increase our school spirit. The more united we are as a school, the more school spirit we will have.

As stated in the last paragraph, the more positive people one is surrounded by, the more positive that person will be. Music also causes endorphins to be released which are chemicals released in your body that makes you happier. Endorphins are what are released when a person works out. Music has this same powerful effect. Music is so powerful that it can influence a person’s mood. For example, when one hears the song Taps, they become emotional. There are types of music that can make people happy and cheerful. Music is also powerful enough to help students to concentrate. Certain types of music can cause people to concentrate or become calm and relaxed. In my opinion, all students need to feel relaxed and stress-free when they are in a work environment for seven hours a day, five days a week. Students should feel relaxed and ready to take on any assignment given to them.

Music therapy was influenced by the Civil War. This time was so emotional that musicians would play music to the soldiers to help them out of their time of grief of losing a fellow soldier or to give the soldiers still living hope. Music therapy was turned into an occupation and is now used in hospitals, nursing homes, substance abuse facilities, hospices, special education, and mental practice. If music is this powerful and has this great of an effect on people, then we should provide our students with these same benefits to help them to succeed. Students can still get the same benefits from their other classes while also taking music classes. I have the most credits in music classes and I will have one year done of college, walk at Ivy Tech, and graduate with a Core 40 with Academic Honors. Taking these music classes have helped me to be calm and collected with all of my after school activities. Music has such a tremendous and positive effect on people and will help make students successful. When people get involved in music, their mindset changes into motivation. When motivated, students will produce their best work.

Some parents may want their kids to be in all standardized classes so they can get more education. They think that the music periods are just a blank period for the students to do whatever they want. This is very inaccurate. Students can learn about the history of music, how to count rhythms, how to properly sing, and so much more in music classes. Some students may be wanting to go into a career involving music after high school, so taking these music classes could be just as beneficial, if not more beneficial than standard classes. Music classes are used to teach students about music and not to slack off from their schoolwork. In fact, music classes give out homework just like regular classes do. These classes are not as uptight as regular education classes, but still these students are learning. The material that they are learning could still help them in their lives. Such as how to use music to cope with stress, use the information that they have learned to carry with them in a music field, or by just knowing the history of music. Some schools offer early career classes for nursing, education, ect. This is another reason why music classes should also be offered for those who want to make a career out of music.

Many people don’t understand how beneficial music classes are. When music classes are provided, students are more motivated, more relaxed, and enjoys school a lot more than if they did not have music classes. Some students may need the music classes to help them in their future if they are wanting to be in a career that involves music. Jobs have been created to spread the amazing benefits that music brings to people. Being in music classes involves being on stage to perform whether it is band, choir , or the drama club. This can help boost the self-confidence of students. If the students are wishing to go into a field where they need to speak publicly in front of others or be on stage, then these experiences will help them to prepare and be successful. The students will be used to being on stage and will not be afraid when they have to perform or if a speech in front of strangers. These people will already be one step ahead from those who have not heard on-stage experience.

Music education increases creativity and involves a new way of thinking about this can help to expand the mind and increase creativity in the classroom and in other situations such as problem-solving when conflicts arise. This will help her to create more well rounded students who have the life skills needed for their future careers. These skills can also be applied not only within careers but also in life. Conflicts arise every day and we need to be able to problem solve and have creative ways of thinking to solve conflicts. Everyone needs these skills to succeed in life, yet parents do not want their students to be enrolled in music classes. A lot of parents just focus on learning standardized information while music classes also teach much more and off for a period for students to relax during their school day. Personally, music has helped me to have a relaxing period throughout my day, make new friends that I never would have met before without music class and music extracurricular activities, learn more about the history of music, learn about music theory, made me have a place to meet people with the same interests as I do, and influenced what I want my career to be in the future. Music classes has shaped me into the person I am today and has caused me to grow in love with music even more than I already was. I have always loved music and I do not know what I would have done if I did not have any music classes offered at my school.

Play music classes are my favorite part of my day. They help me to relax And get a fresh mindset that before returning to my standardized classes. These music classes have reduced the feelings of being anxious, nervous, or overwhelmed by all of the schoolwork we are given. I believe that all students should have the option to be a part of these beneficial music classes. Since I was taught how to properly sing in my music class at school, I can audition for music scholarships based on how well my vocal performance is. If I did not have this training, I may not have had this opportunity. This is another example of how music can help prepare us for the future. Taking music classes has taught me to always do my best and put out my best performance. I can relate this back to my everyday life I always doing my best I’m trying my hardest no matter what. I will do my best to succeed no matter what obstacle is thrown at me. I am so elated that I have gotten to experience these music classes that were offered at my school I am so happy to get to share these amazing benefits with my friends who are also in the music classes.