dip? Boost your brain with music!

A nice walk, a relaxing bath or treating yourself to a present are all ways to cheer yourself up when you're in a slump. But there's another thing that will do your brain a big favor when it needs a pick-me-up, and that's music. So are you having a hard time during your alcohol break? Then grab your playlist!

You know that feeling when you're in the car and suddenly your favorite song comes on the radio? Rest assured that it will give your mood a big boost. Logical, because research shows that music lowers the heart rate, lowers blood pressure and slows down the production of stress hormones. That immediately explains the better mood: your body gets into a more relaxed state while listening to beautiful music. 

Happpieeeeeeeee

The reason why music affects our mood so much is because the reward system in our brain gets a big dose of dopamine when we hear music we like. This same reward system is just as sensitive to the effects of alcohol (and drugs and sex). Your reward system has a good memory. That's why an old song that you keep fond memories of can instantly take you back to the happy feeling of that time. And what about that new song you've been loving lately? Because you've heard it many times before, your brain knows exactly when the song really hits. That explains why you really go wild from the moment the chorus starts, also in terms of happiness; )

Do a dance

Do you have a dip? Then get off the couch, put on your favorite song and sing along at the top of your lungs. And if a single dose of dopamine isn't enough, throw in a dance too. You can be sure that you will feel a lot more relaxed and cheerful afterwards!

Let loose

Do you play an instrument yourself? Then you have an even better remedy in the fight against your dip. Making your own music works even better than listening to it. Source: psychologymagazine.nl.

Want to read more about alcohol and your mood? read here all about the effect of alcohol on your brain's reward system.