Junk dumbbells, plug in the earphones! New study shows music has same effect on mental health as exercise

If you have mental health issues, and aren’t very proactive when it comes to exercising regularly, worry not, because a new study has shown that listening, singing or playing music is as beneficial as exercising. So, reach out for those ear pods, lounge or do your chores while listening to or humming your favourite songs, and get the same perks that you receive from working out.

If this is a proposition that’s too good to believe, then let us tell that a study published in JAMA Network Open recently examined the data of 26 previous studies to understand the impact music has on our mental health compared to vis-a-vis impact of non-medical interventions on mental health like exercising or working out.

The analysis was done by studying researches that looked into music-listening, formal music therapy; and it included studies on singing, as well as one on gospel music study and the result they found showed that music do have benefits that are comparable to exercising.

However, one word of caution that the researchers put in the study findings will tell you not to quit working out just yet. “Changes in mental HRQOL (health-related quality of life) associated with music interventions were within the range, albeit at the low end, of average effects of established non–pharmaceutical and medical interventions,” the paper explained. It also stated that the effect varies from person to person. This secondary research also corroborated that use of music in mental health interventions is beneficial.

Previously, there had been studies that show a close association of music and elevated mood, and better mental health, perhaps that is why music therapy is used to treat PTSD and patients with depression. However, the extent to which music can be beneficial is something scientists are still grappling to answer.