Is Listening to Music a Hobby? Consider this…
When it comes to listening to music, there’s a lot of debate about whether it’s a hobby or not. I believe the answer is yes and that it’s a very good hobby as there is plenty of information to support it. Listening to music is healthy, calming, can be creative, boost mood and focus, and much more.
From painting and playing instruments to collecting rare stamps, how we choose to spend our free time is what makes us unique. Hobbies are activities that make us happy, and if this makes you happy then it’s a hobby you should continue to pursue.
Listening to music as a hobby is one of the best decisions you can make for your personal benefit. It’s not only fun but the benefits for your health and overall happiness are endless. Adding music to your list of hobbies will ultimately improve your life and even help you focus and gain more confidence.
The Benefits of Listening to Music as a Hobby
Now that we have established that listening to music is indeed a hobby, here are some benefits you can expect from it. Whether you are looking for better health or improved focus, the additional advantages that come with music may surprise you.
Health Benefits
Listening to music is one of the most relaxing hobbies imaginable. According to NorthShore University Health System by simply listening to music you can expect to:
- Improve mental functions
- Reduce stress
- Elevate your mood
- Promote cardiovascular health
- Increase pain tolerance
- Eat less food
- Increase workout endurance
Listening to Music Reduces Depression
We know that listening to music can improve your physical health overall, but did you know it can also reduce depression? That may be one of the most important benefits of listening to music. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 280 million people in the world have depression.
Although there are known treatments for depression conducted by professionals, listening to music can be more than helpful. According to a German study, people who suffer from depression can benefit from listening to music, especially when listening to Mozart and Bach.
Music Brings Happiness
Since music helps with depression, you may think it obviously makes you happy. That’s not always the case. Just think about the songs that make you sad, angry, or even anxious. Music can truly wake the feelings that lie deep within us, and that is not always a good thing.
However, if you listen to something that makes you happy, the changes in your body will only serve to benefit you. Engaging in music that affects us positively releases dopamine, a chemical responsible for the emotions like joy and happiness.
Listening to (or even playing) music can provide similar rushes of excitement that we could get from eating sweets, having sex, or using certain drugs.
Listening to Music Can Be an Inexpensive Hobby
This hobby can be enjoyed without spending any money. Collecting records and CDs, and buying tickets and equipment is a great way to enjoy the music. However, you should keep in mind that you can always go online and appreciate the music you love free of charge.
Assists in Learning Other Languages
Not everyone can easily master another language. After all, it is a long process of constant learning and improvement which doesn’t always result in success. If you have the same problem as many of us do, there is no reason to worry.
According to Psychology Today, people who are in the process of learning a new language have a greater chance of becoming fluent in it if they enjoy music. There is a complex correlation between good listening skills and language interpretation.
Listening to Music is Great for Focus
Listening to music while studying is common for students worldwide. That is not a coincidence according to the scientists from Florida National University. Their study showed that listening to music while taking tests enables students to complete more questions within a given time frame. In their opinion, music can be a cognitive exercise for the brain, helping to prepare it for complex tasks.
Social Benefits
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of music is its power to connect people. Talking to your friends about the artists you all enjoy listening to can create more profound friendships. It can also help you meet new people and always give you a sense of belonging wherever you are.
Listening to Music Can Boost Confidence
Nothing can boost your confidence like the right playlist. Whether it is the strength needed to complete daily gym goals or the final minutes before an important meeting, listening to a great song will give you the push you need. Listening to music can make us feel good inside, improve our mood, and simply give us a positive attitude.
Music Can Positively Affect Driving
Listening to soft and calming music can help lower stress while in a traffic jam. Slow-moving lanes and difficult people won’t bother you as much if soothing music is playing. In addition, it may even lead to safer behavior in traffic. If you find yourself driving long hours, what can help you keep your focus more than lively and energetic music?
How to Start Listening to Music as a Hobby
There are many ways to start listening to music as a hobby. Here are some ideas.
YouTube
Probably the first thing that comes to mind when mentioning music is YouTube. After all, it is an online platform filled with thousands of artists that can be used completely free. That makes it an ideal starting point.
Finding your favorite musicians, listening to their full albums, singles, or even live concerts, and compiling it all into a unique playlist is a great way to start your musical journey.
In addition, YouTube is the fastest way to discover new songs and artists, which you can easily add to the playlist. In that way, you can expand your knowledge of different genres of music.
Record Players
There is a way to make listening to music feel more like a hobby in a physical sense. People who have been listening to music for a long time will argue that there is nothing better for truly enjoying music than the record player.
Just imagine slowly browsing through the record collection, glancing over your favorite artists, and thoughtfully picking an album that reflects your current mood the most. Even the crackling sounds of some very old records can transport you into a different era, to the swooning music now long forgotten.
The only downside is that the record player may not be for everyone’s budget. But don’t let that discourage you, there are plenty of options available.
For example, you can get a used one on eBay or you can pick one of the hundreds of cheaper record players under $100 on Amazon and similar sites.
They may not be the best when it comes to quality, but they will be more than enough to start your collection since they are portable and have a Bluetooth option as well. That may come in handy before you actually buy your first record.
CDs
If you aren’t interested in records don’t worry, there is a less expensive but similarly satisfying option – CDs. They can be found almost everywhere online and buying a CD player won’t cost a lot. It is an option worth exploring, especially if you do not want to spend too much money.
If you find a favorite band’s CD from your teenage years, it will always bring out fond memories.
Tickets for Live Shows
One more option worth considering is buying a ticket for a show performed by your favorite artist. Listening to live music is a whole other experience. Being surrounded by fellow fans and watching the musicians in person is a memory you will never forget.
No matter which way of listening to music you choose, one thing is certain – it is impossible to make a wrong decision. It doesn’t matter how and what you listen to, it matters that you enjoy it.
What Activities Can You Do While Listening to Music?
Listening to music does not require us to lie down motionless thus making it a hobby that you can do lots with. You can use it to relax, of course, but it can help you even if you’re active. There are at least six activities that can be done better while listening to music.
1. Dancing
Dancing is basically a synonym for music. Concerts and parties are existing only because of the music that calls us to the dance floor. You can waltz with the love of your life or you can burst with energy in a rave. There are no limits when it comes to dancing, and there is only one rule – having fun.
2. Walking
For more athletic people, walking can be a bit boring. A slow pace on a hike that doesn’t seem to end can become fun if there is music involved. The distance may even seem shorter.
3. Running
Running is one of the best ways to stay in shape and remain healthy. Some people enjoy running in small groups, but some enjoy running alone. If you are running alone, what better companion to bring than music? Prepare a playlist that motivates you to give your best and you’re good to go!
4. Working
There is no better way to complete a job than by listening to music. Especially if the work is boring. You will be more focused to get the job done, and the music will even keep the outside noise at bay.
5. Relaxing
It may be a bit far-fetched to call this an activity, but doesn’t everyone deserve quality rest? Imagine coming home after a long workday and putting on your favorite album while you rest or listening to light jazz while reading an exciting novel. Maybe just putting on the headphones and tuning everything out. There are no bad ways to relax when listening to music.
6. Studying
We know that listening to music helps you concentrate and finish tasks ahead quickly. Then what better way to prepare for your exams is by listening to some music scientifically proven to help your cognitive abilities? Playing some classical music in the background may help you get higher scores and better grades.
So, Is Listening to Music a Hobby?
Listening to music is a hobby like no other. It can be thoroughly enjoyed without any money and it can give you nothing but benefits. Music can help improve your health and mental functions, make you happier, and improve your social life. Even doing something you do not enjoy at all can be at least tolerable.
In the end, listening to music as a hobby is the best and easiest way to have a happy life. What more can we ask for? Check out my full list of interests and hobbies for more hobby ideas.