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Let the Music Play

Rock, R&B, country, jazz — any style can engage the brain and boost well-being

By

Staying Sharp

Updated April 19, 2023

Updated April 19, 2023

An up-close view of a hand during the dial on a radio

Tetra Images/Getty Images

Quick Win

Set aside time to play a beloved old album or explore a new music genre. Your brain and mood may benefit.

Try This Today

Cue up some favorites. Well-worn tunes, especially music from your early years, may trigger memories and connections throughout your brain.
Change your tunes. Branch out from rock ’n’ roll and give hip-hop or Latin music a try. If you’re a classical music buff, put on some country. Scroll through our “Exploring New Music” section for more ideas.
What rings your bell? Everyone is different. Notice how various music styles and tempos make you feel and tailor your tunes accordingly. If you find the guitar solos in classic rock aren’t the vibe you’re going for today, switch to upbeat pop or mellow jazz.

Why

“Where words fail, music speaks,” a saying attributed to Danish storyteller Hans Christian Andersen, captures music’s power to move us. Scientists are interested in the topic, too, and they’ve made some fascinating discoveries about music’s effects on the brain. The act of listening to music goes beyond the brain processing sounds; as an aesthetic experience, it can lead to feelings of happiness, according to a 2021 report in Brain Sciences. A 2020 report from AARP’s Global Council on Brain Health, “Music on Our Minds,” concluded that listening to music may help to enhance well-being, ease stress and improve mood.

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Legal Disclaimer: Staying Sharp, including all content and features, is offered for informational purposes and to educate users on brain health care and medical issues that may affect their daily lives. Staying Sharp is based on a holistic, lifestyle approach to brain health that encourages users to incorporate into their daily lives activities that are associated with general wellness. Nothing in the service should be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Features including the Cognitive Assessment and Lifestyle Check-Ins, Additional Tests, exercises, and challenges assess performance at a particular moment in time on certain discrete cognitive tasks. Staying Sharp games are intended for entertainment and recreational purposes only. Various factors may affect performance, including sleep, tiredness, focus, and other social, environmental, or emotional factors. Performance is not indicative of cognitive health and not predictive of future performance or medical conditions.

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