Attending Live Music Shows May Be More Beneficial Than You Knew

There are few things more exciting than an event where live music is central. Experiences like these usually involve friends, dancing, and great memories. Whether the live event you're attending is a benefit concert, a local cover band, or a massive music festival, the mental and physical benefits of experiencing live vocals and live instruments are incredible. Seeing and hearing musicians in person is exhilarating and proves undeniably that live music is important to us.

Most can agree that we love attending live music events, but there is actually scientific research explaining why. If you need an excuse to splurge on those concert tickets to see your favorite band or attend a local benefit concert in your neighborhood, your quality of life could be that excuse. Live music enhances our lives and provides a venue to gather and celebrate. The more live music you can fit into your schedule, the better.

One of the most important reasons to engage in live music experiences is that they improve your mental health. You even start to feel the benefits before you get to the venue. Purchasing tickets ahead of time and anticipating the night out gives you something to look forward to. This is great for our brains because feeling excited and hopeful makes us happy. In addition, when we hear music, our brains release endorphins and dopamine making us feel pleasure. This euphoric feeling not only makes us feel good but also lessens stress and anxiety. Cleveland Clinic explains, "Endorphins help relieve pain, reduce stress and improve your sense of well-being."

Connecting with music has been a core element in feeling a sense of belonging and well-being — one study showed that people who attend live music events report a higher sense of well-being than those who don't. This increases the satisfaction you have in life and makes you happier. Music has been known to be beneficial in treating depression and anxiety. By attending a live concert, you'll not only be moving physically, but you'll be helping your mental well-being, too.

While we know that the release of endorphins and serotonin is beneficial for our mental health, it also impacts us physically. Because we're usually dancing and singing at concerts, this type of activity helps us lower our cortisol levels, making our physical health improve. Studies show that our cortisol levels decrease even through live music. Cortisol is a stress hormone that dictates how our bodies handle stress. The University of Rochester Medical Center says that when we release too much cortisol, we can begin experiencing negative physical responses like heart problems related to heart attacks and high blood pressure, as well as the symptoms associated with diabetes. The reduction in cortisol is important for your overall well-being because the happier you are, the less stressed you'll be. Your quality of life benefits from feeling this surge of happiness.

Because music releases feel-good hormones, our physical pain decreases, as well. If you are attending a concert, chances are, you are dancing, standing, swaying, and smiling with friends. Believe it or not, this is a great way to get exercise. This type of musical experience makes you more physically active, which definitely impacts your body. Live music gets us out of our comfort zones, making us physically move, and creating memories simultaneously. 

One of the biggest benefits of music is the impact it has on the human brain. Not only does it help us release hormones that are linked to happiness and de-stressing, but listening to music actually challenges the brain. If you want to stay healthy cognitively as you age, you should really consider keeping music in your routine. The stimulation the brain receives from music gives the brain a workout while decreasing blood pressure and pain and improving memory and sleep.

Johns Hopkins Medicine says "These vibrations tickle the eardrum and are transmitted into an electrical signal that travels through the auditory nerve to the brain stem, where it is reassembled into something we perceive as music." This is the way our brains understand what we are hearing as music. The University of Central Florida explains how human brains respond to music in studies of people either listening to or creating their own music. These studies indicate that music improves our communication and analysis skills, and it challenges us because it combines structure, mathematics, and architecture. Our brains are forced to do quite a bit of work to make sense of the notes and lyrics.

While it is proven that music helps us physically and mentally, the feeling of community while attending a live music event may be the most satisfying part. Not only is it clear that a common interest has brought you together with others, but the event is responsible for providing mass happiness throughout the crowd. Music also synchronizes a group of people, and live performances create a unique, positive crowd energy. Everyone at the event feels the magic of this energy while experiencing some of their favorite music. Crowds move together, sing together, and smile together. There are few events that can bring us as much joy while simultaneously being surrounded by others feeling the same way.

At a live show, people are away from solitary devices and are facing each other in real life in a very positive way. If you're looking for a reason to attend concert after concert, the benefits are endless when it comes to a live music event.