by JENNIFER GOODSON, MA, LMHC
Music has this magical gift of taking us back in time, conjuring memories and emotions from chapters in our lives. Music creates a powerful nostalgia, whether it is a tune from our childhood or notes from a moment with our first love, bringing emotions of happiness and sadness wrapped in one. Music brings a soothing balm in moments of anxiety or chaos, calming our nerves and bringing peace. How a simple melody can balance our emotional well-being is such a wonder.
Additionally, music is closely linked to memory, particularly as we age. As we grow older, we may face specific mental health challenges, including cognitive decline, depression, anxiety, loneliness, and dementia. Research has shown that music can intensely impact cognitive function, emotions, and even physical health in older adults (Baird & Samson, 2015). As we listen to music, our brains become stimulated, which evokes memories and improves our mood. Not only can music bring balance to mood, but it can also reduce stress, anxiety, and pain.
Music therapy helps older adults with conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. As one listens, the brain is stimulated to recall memories that provide comfort. Familiar songs from our past can help us recall specific events, people, and emotions. The brain processes music in areas different from those responsible for other forms of memory. Other areas of the brain decline during dementia or Alzheimer’s, but this area remains active. Music therapy utilizes tailored music programs to reduce anxiety, depression, and agitation. It also aids in enhancing social interaction and communication.
Music also strengthens memory recall as it evokes emotion. The emotional connection to specific songs or genres brings to the forefront vivid memories. The emotional connection is present even if someone has difficulty recalling specifics about the recalled memory. In addition, music can stimulate various cognitive functions. Attention, language, and spatial reasoning become active when listening to music or playing an instrument. By continuing to practice music, we can help keep our brains active and promote neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to create new connections as we age (Halpern & Bartlett, 2002).
Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease may show improvements in mood and memory recall when they listen to music they enjoyed earlier in life. Familiar music impacts memory more than unfamiliar tunes, particularly in older adults. The more connected the music is to the person’s past, the more likely it is to evoke specific memories and emotions.
Music is a powerful tool for enhancing older adults’ memories and connecting them to the past. Sitting in front of a piano, soaking in moments of Mozart or Fred Astaire, or cutting the rug with a friend will liven the mood and connect the past to the present. Music is a healthy way of remembering what is important to live a well-meaning life.
Baird, A. and Samson, S. (2015) “Music and dementia,” Progress in Brain Research, pp. 207–235.
Halpern, Andrea R. and Bartlett, James C.. “Aging and Memory for Music: A Review.” Psychomusicology (2002) : 10-27.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jennifer Goodson, MA, LMHC, is a licensed mental health counselor with an office in Winter Haven, FL, a Professor of Psychology at Warner University in Lake Wales, FL, and a transformational speaker. She holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. For more information, visit www.pathwaycounselingservice.com.