Do you love to unwind by watching live concerts? The calming effects of music has been proven in countless studies, but a new research suggests that listening to live music is also an effective stress relief. You and your significant other could benefit from heading to a music bar this weekend or booking tickets to the next concert in your area.
The research, which was conducted by experts from the Royal College of Music and Imperial College London, took in 117 volunteers. The participants were then made to watch a live concert featuring Eric Whitacre, a noted classical music composer and conductor.
Before & After Results
Before the volunteers went to the event, they were asked to submit saliva samples. They were also required to submit new samples during the show's intermission. After testing and comparing the sets of saliva samples, the researchers found out that the volunteers' cortisone and cortisol levels were significantly lower while watching the live concert.
The study reaffirms what 22 other studies have concluded, but it also extended the hypothesis to live shows. "This is the first preliminary evidence that attending a cultural event can have an impact on endocrine activity," said Daisy Fancourt, via Telegraph.
Get yourself to a gig! @RCMLondon study finds watching live music reduces stress https://t.co/1QzPzqSW1u via @M_magazinePRS
— Help Musicians UK (@HelpMusiciansUK) April 18, 2016
Live Concerts And Cortisol Levels
The body produces more amounts of cortisol when under physical or mental stress. While this chemical is necessary for a productive and active life, its excess has been linked to disease development such as impotence, diabetes and heart problems, per Science Alert. Thus, it is important to keep cortisol in an ideal level.
The researchers underscored that the chemical changes in the body while watching a live concert were the same for the volunteers, regardless of their age, their background and status, or their familiarity with the music. "This suggests there is a universal response to concert attendance among audience members," Fancourt said.
The Study's Limitations
The researchers acknowledged that further studies are required to support their hypothesis because of the focus on live classic music and the small number of volunteers. However, their preliminary findings highlight the benefits of music to "biological and psychological states."
So if your family is looking for something to do, apart from watching a movie or dining out, why not check out a live concert to benefit your well-being? Take a look at Eric Whitacre's piece below and who knows, you might just feel slightly de-stressed too!
