Ever since the dawn of humanity, music has taken a vital part in breaking communication barriers and adding to the value of any society. We have come a long way since the first instrument ever built – a bone flute dating back 60,000 years. Now we use music for expressing art, managing our stress level, as a sound filler, and much more. What exactly does the everyday presence of music bring and what are the healing powers of having it around?

1.) The Mozart Effect. It is said that playing music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart has a particular effect on our neurons, stimulating the brain and having a positive effect on our IQ. Playing music by this Viennese classical music prodigy to children, even in their infancy, boosts creativity and helps stimulate the processing power of the brain.

2.) The Mood Booster. Many studies have been conducted measuring efficiency of vocal expression in a group setting. Singing induces the release of feel-good hormones (oxytocin), and lowers our stress-level (cortisol). If you ever doubted yourself about joining an a cappella group, perhaps it is now time to reconsider.

3.) The Plant Nurturer. Did you know that plants grow faster when exposed to classical music? A study done by the National Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology in South Korea has established that crops on rice fields were responding to pieces like the L. Van Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, yielding higher growth rate than those not privy to the beautiful music.

4.) The Memory Tool. Music has a strong impact on our ability to remember, so it is quite common to have this be the tool used in treating patients with Alzheimer disease. It is said that the last memories that we hold are those connected to our favorite songs, so it’s not a surprise, that memory care treatments are closely connected to music making.

5.) The Chill Pill. Listening to soothing music improves our ability to relax. There are many instances in our every day lives where that comes in handy – fighting traffic, trying to have a good night’s sleep or just tuning out for a moment. Next time you find yourselves in an anxious situation, consider putting on some beautiful music, and things will turn up for the better.