Music Argumentative Essay

Music is beneficial for a person because it evokes focus, elevates one’s mood, and enhances exercise.

Music has been shown to help increase a person’s focus. “The rhythms and tempo of musical sound can assist us in setting and maintaining our attention and focus by perking us up when we are weary and helping us find peace and calm when we are over-energized in some way” (Brewer). This is because our brain has two systems that handle our attention. The conscious part of our attention focuses on the task at hand, while the unconscious part searches for something else to focus on. Music gives the brain the perfect amount of distraction, while ensuring the conscious part of our attention is still focused on the main activity. Of course some types of music work better at keeping the unconscious part focused. “While music can help increase focus, its efficacy can depend on the genre of music” (Holland). Classical music provides a very settling tone, but familiar music is also good because the brain is aware of what comes next, so it is never startled. However, studies show that a

“Studies prove that the music we listen to engages a wide range of neurobiological systems that affect our psychology” (Bergland).This is because music can tap into many parts of the brain, including the parts that handle emotional responses. Music helps to release hormones and neurotransmitters that can elevate a person’s mood. It has also been found that not only can upbeat music increase a person’s mood, but sad music can too. “A new study has revealed that listening to sad songs can improve a person’s emotional wellbeing as well as make us feel at peace and nostalgic” (Griffiths). For many people music provides a way to grieve or express sadness in a healthy manner. Because music has been proven to help generate good moods, music is being used in trials to help reduce the amount of depression a person