The Surprising Ways Music Can Boost Your Mental Health

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Music has a way of speaking to our hearts. When you’re feeling sad, you might need a song to lift you and give you motivation. Or, you might want to wallow for some time and feel seen in your pain. If you’re nervous, soothing calmness through sound may be what you desire. Many athletes listen to pumped-up music to motivate themselves before a big game. Whatever your mood may be, there is always a tune that can help you feel lighter in the moment. Music and mental health are linked (Kubicek, 2022), and it can be a tool in mental health practices.

Music can manifest in many forms, ranging from simple instrumental tunes to studio lyrical beats. Instruments, vocals, beats, and rhythms can come in all shapes and forms. Every piece of art is unique in its own sense. Plenty of different genres exist, such as rap, rock, hip-hop, country, blues, and many more. Whatever you decide to listen to, it can have a strong effect on your mental health.

Everyone has their own relationship with music. It’s a deeply personal relationship, which explains why no two people have the exact same music taste. Depending on your relationships, experiences, trauma, and current concerns, various forms of music may speak to you differently. You might not be able to express yourself to others or even understand your emotions in a given moment. But when you play your comfort songs, you automatically feel better and even validated. Why does this happen?

According to Harvard Health Publishing, a meta-analysis found that music interventions like singing, music therapy, and listening to music can significantly boost one’s mental health and improve some aspects of physical health (Kubicek, 2022). This occurs because music activates many parts of the brain at once, including emotional, motor, memory, and cognitive systems (Zaatar, 2023). Music can have many positive impacts on the brain and body (Cleveland Clinic, 2025), such as:

• Decrease in cortisol (stress) levels
• Enhancement of creativity
• Lowered heart rate
• Better emotion regulation and processing

This shows us why music is often used for learning, reward systems, motivation, productivity, and healing (Weir, 2026), and why music therapy can be a great tool.

For a long time, music has been used as a form of treatment for mental health disorders. Music therapy involves music-based interventions—like listening to music, singing, and playing instruments—to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs (Murray, 2022). Therapists work with clients to first identify their needs and goals. Then, music-based interventions are applied to address those needs. Clients may be asked to:

• Create music: This involves music composition, such as writing your own lyrics.
• Sing: By using your voice, you can express your feelings and emotions creatively.
• Play an instrument: By playing instruments, you can share your feelings without using words.
• Improvise: Coming up with your own music on the spot can be a powerful tool for engagement. 
• Listen to music: Your therapist might guide you through calming exercises with background music.
• And more!

Combined with traditional talk therapy and other techniques, music therapy offers a unique way to heal (Cleveland Clinic, 2023).

There are two types of music therapy (Cleveland Clinic, 2023):

• Active interventions: This requires you to take an active role in making music. Your therapist might ask you to sing a song, play an instrument, or create a playlist. This requires you to think about how that music makes you feel in the moment.
• Receptive interventions: Rather than create music, your therapist will make or play music for you. Your job is to simply listen and reflect. You and your therapist will discuss the music and note down your thoughts and feelings. 

Music therapy has many benefits (Cleveland Clinic, 2023), such as:

• Stress reduction: Music has been shown to increase dopamine and reduce cortisol, therefore promoting relaxation and reducing stress. 
• Mood regulation: Music strikes a strong chord with many emotions, including both joy and grief. It has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and regulate emotions overall.
• Boosted self-confidence: Reflecting on your emotions and the inner workings of your mind can help you better understand yourself, often leading to higher self-esteem. 
• Increased social skills and communication: Music often brings people together by creating shared spaces of emotion, vulnerability, and fun. Music therapy can be done individually or within a group, allowing for developed communication skills.

It’s important to note that listening to music may feel “painful” to some. Maybe particular lyrics of a song strike a chord, or a specific song is tied to a difficult memory. Music therapy should be a safe space for you, so it is important to discuss your trauma triggers ahead of time. This is why it is important to talk to your therapist openly and honestly. When paired with reflection, vulnerability, and a motivation to better oneself, music and music therapy can be powerful tools for wellness. 

To discuss how therapy could help you during this season of your life, please contact me or schedule your free 15-minute consultation.

References

Cleveland Clinic. (2025). Your brain on music: How tunes can impact your brain. Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-does-music-affect-the-brain 

Kubicek, L. (2022, July 25). Can music improve our health and quality of life? Harvard Health Publishing. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/can-music-improve-our-health-and-quality-of-life-202207252786 

Murray, M. (2022). Music therapy: More than just entertainment. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). https://www.nami.org/blog/music-therapy-more-than-just-entertainment/ 

Cleveland Clinic. Music Therapy. (2023). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/8817-music-therapy

T Zaatar, M., Alhakim, K., Enayeh, M., & Tamer, R. (2023). The transformative power of music: Insights into neuroplasticity, health, and disease. Brain, Behavior, & Immunity, 35, 100716. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbih.2023.100716 

Weir, K. (2026, March 1). Music and the mind. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2026/03/science-of-music

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