It goes without saying that this fall has been one of a kind. In addition to the normal rigors of school curriculum, there’s the added aspect of trying to navigate the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. It’s altered everybody’s daily life in some capacity, making it all too easy to become caught up in the juggling act that many of us have been trying to perform. Our normal routines have been turned upside down, and many students feel that they have too much schoolwork to take time to rest, relax, and take care of themselves. However, taking a break every once in a while is vital and can actually improve life’s overall quality. More specifically, being sure to include music in these breaks would only amplify their positive effects.
Even before this pandemic, music was lauded as an essential part of communication between different parts of society. The ability to convey a general message without the use of words is so important and so specific to the arts, and too often taken for granted. At a time where everybody has been cautioned to keep their distance from each other and abstain from traveling, we’ve had to learn to make connections in nontraditional ways. Music is key to the social challenges of this pandemic. It’s a form of universal communication that allows us to transcend the language barrier. Although you may not be able to speak Italian, you could listen to a song made by an Italian composer and have a general idea of the greater theme behind it.
Tone, tempo, chords, and notes all combine to form specific themes that are understood globally. Music with a slower tempo and minor chords is generally perceived as about sadness or disappointment, while a song with a faster tempo is considered happy or joyous.
Music can also be used to reflect or improve one’s mood. Personally, when I’m feeling sad, I’ll curl up with a cozy blanket and listen to my favorite songs. Hearing something familiar comforts me, and I feel better immediately. An amazing aspect of music is that you’re able to associate specific feelings and emotions with a song based on the time in your life you listen to it. It’s because of that quality my favorite songs are able to improve my mood: I’ve associated feelings and memories of good times with them. Conversely, if I’m feeling particularly bad, I would listen to a song with a slower tempo to reflect my emotional state. However, the presence of music is still vaguely comforting. Music’s ability to mirror your feelings make it a necessity during the emotional rollercoaster of this pandemic.
Additionally, music is known to have a positive effect on the brain. The Maryland Medical Center conducted a study whose results showed that listening to music could decrease anxiety, and heart rate, and blood pressure. Not only does music improve your mental state, it also positively alters your body’s physical state as well. The study encouraged students to play music while studying as well, which is particularly relevant to the KO community. Music is important because it improves your studying habits while simultaneously relaxing you during this increasingly stressful time period.
I encourage you, the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed about a big test or project that is due, put on your favorite song and see how your mood is subsequently altered. Music’s versatility is amazing; it is more important than ever during the era of coronavirus because of its ability to both connect people and improve their emotional state.
