RTNT Episode 26 Live on CJRU: Musically Speaking

Radio Totally Normal Toronto, or RTNT for short, is a voice for community mental health; produced by the members and staff of Progress Place, a mental wellness clubhouse in downtown Toronto.

This month we’re talking about Mental Health and Music. In an article: “How Listening to Music Can Have Psychological Benefits”, by Kendra Cherry, the positive effects of music are investigated. The article can be found in verywellmind.com, (updated Dec 10,2019 and medically reviewed By Dr Daniel D Block. We have used this article as a startpoint for discussion by members and staff of Progress Place. The article looks at and suggests ways that may be helpful for things like: Cognitive performance, stress reduction, diet, memory and pain management.

We’re going to mention a couple of cool tips of how music can affect our mental health:

Music can improve your mood

In an examination of the reasons why people listen to music, researchers discovered that music played an important role in relating arousal and mood. They rated that music helps achieve better moods and become more self-aware are the most important functions of music.

Music can improve your cognitive performance

One study found that playing more upbeat music led to improvements in processing speed while both upbeat and downbeat music led to benefits in memory. 

Music can reduce stress

In one 2013 study the results suggested that listening to music had an impact on the human stress response. Those who listened to music tended to recover more quickly following a stressor.

Music might help you sleep better

In a study that involved college students. The study found that participants who had listened to music had significantly better sleep quality than those who had listened to the audiobook or received no intervention.

Source: https://www.verywellmind.com/surprising-psychological-benefits-of-music-4126866

To learn more about RTNT or listen to previous episodes please check out our website. We are pleased to announce that the show is now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and Google Podcast if you search up Radio Totally Normal Toronto.