How Music Can Affect You Mentally | Milan Dekker | TEDxJvL Youth

Music is a pervasive element in our daily lives, present in games, movies, stores, and social media, often becoming memorable and influencing our attention and emotions. The speaker explores whether music aids or distracts from activities like studying. While sources like the National Institute of Health suggest music can calm moods, the speaker questions whether this is a conscious choice or an imposed effect. The day often begins with music, whether an alarm or a playlist, highlighting its immediate impact. The speaker observes how different music choices, like loud and fast versus slow, can affect confidence and focus on the way to school. This influence extends to mood regulation, as seen during a stressful academic week. An attempt to use loud, fast music for motivation backfired, leading to increased stress. Conversely, switching to calm, instrumental music for a project improved focus and reduced phone checking. This realization led to the understanding that music significantly impacts emotions by triggering chemical releases like dopamine, explaining why favorite songs can improve mood and sad songs can worsen it. Music can also hinder concentration, as the brain struggles to process both music and academic tasks simultaneously. This is why instrumental music is often preferred for studying, providing a calming backdrop without distraction. The speaker notes that music's influence extends to specific situations like test preparation and sports, where different genres are used to enhance focus or build confidence. Even at night, music can help ease the mind. The profound effect of music, even when not consciously chosen, is its ability to evoke memories and emotions. Given music's power, the speaker advocates for intentional use. Instead of simply pressing play, individuals should consider their goals—whether to focus, calm down, or cope with daily pressures. Music can be a tool for better studying, managing test anxiety, or boosting motivation. Ultimately, music shapes not only mood but also focus and overall daily life, particularly for students. The key takeaway is to be mindful of music's influence and to choose it intentionally to positively impact one's experience.