The Mental Health and Cognitive Benefits of Listening to an Eclectic Array of Music – A short overview of recent studies
- SJR
- Feb 16
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 16
Music is a powerful tool for emotional regulation, cognitive stimulation, and mental well-being. Recent research suggests that listening to an eclectic array of music offers mental health and cognitive benefits compared to fixating on a single genre.
Exposure to a wide variety of musical genres allows individuals to experience and process a broader range of emotions. For example, classical music can evoke feelings of calm and introspection, while upbeat pop or jazz can inspire joy and energy. Research by Lonsdale and North (2011) found that individuals who engage with diverse musical genres report higher levels of emotional intelligence and adaptability, as they are better equipped to navigate complex emotional landscapes. This emotional flexibility is a key component of mental resilience, helping individuals cope with stress and adversity.(1)
Listening to an eclectic array of music stimulates the brain in diverse ways. This in turn promotes cognitive flexibility, improving a person’s ability to switch between different modes of thinking. A study by Greenberg et al. (2015) found that individuals who regularly engage with multiple musical genres exhibit greater creativity and problem-solving skills. Greenberg contends that exposure to varied musical structures, rhythms, and harmonies challenges the brain to adapt and integrate new patterns, fostering neural plasticity.(2)
Music therapy research has consistently shown that music can reduce stress and anxiety. However, the benefits are amplified when individuals explore a wide range of genres. For instance, Fancourt et al. (2014) found that listening to unfamiliar or diverse music can lower cortisol levels and promote relaxation more effectively than listening to familiar music alone. This suggests that novelty and variety in musical experiences can enhance the stress-reducing effects of music.(3)
Engaging with music from different cultures fosters empathy and cultural understanding. A study by Boer et al. (2011) demonstrated that exposure to world music increases individuals' openness to new experiences and their ability to empathize with others. This is particularly important in an increasingly globalized world, where cultural competence is an increasing valuable and important skill.(4)
Listening to an eclectic array of music can also enhance social connections by providing common ground with a wider range of people. North and Hargreaves (2008) found that individuals with diverse musical tastes are more likely to form meaningful relationships across cultural and social boundaries, as music serves as a universal language that transcends differences.(5)
By fostering emotional resilience, cognitive flexibility, stress reduction, cultural empathy, and social connections, diverse musical experiences enrich our lives in profound ways. Encouraging individuals to explore music beyond their comfort zones can be a simple strategy for enhancing mental well-being and personal growth.
(1) Lonsdale AJ, North AC. Why do we listen to music? A uses and gratifications analysis. Br J Psychol. 2011 Feb;102(1):108-34. doi: 10.1348/000712610X506831. PMID: 21241288.
(2) Greenberg, D. M., et al. (2015). Musical preferences are linked to cognitive styles. PLoS ONE, 10(7), e0131151.
(3) Fancourt D, Ockelford A, Belai A. The psychoneuroimmunological effects of music: a systematic review and a new model. Brain Behav Immun. 2014 Feb;36:15-26. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2013.10.014. Epub 2013 Oct 21. PMID: 24157429.
(4) Boer, D., Fischer, R., Strack, M., Bond, M. H., Lo, E., & Lam, J. (2011). How Shared Preferences in Music Create Bonds Between People: Values as the Missing Link. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 37(9), 1159-1171. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167211407521
(5) North, Adrian, and David Hargreaves, The Social and Applied Psychology of Music (Oxford, 2008; online edn, Oxford Academic, 22 Mar. 2012).
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