There’s nothing like the feeling of playing a song that perfectly captures your mood. Whether you’re sad and need an uplifting song or a slow song that matches the way you feel.

The best part about music is that there is something for everyone. There are so many artists that I don’t even know about, but they have impacted someone else’s life.

While I can say that music has helped my mood improve, I started to wonder if there is an actual connection between music and mental health. If it makes us feel happy, then surely there has to be a reason for that. However, the connection is not always there. I can be in the best mood but choose to play the saddest, slowest song. Even though I appreciate the music and enjoy the song, a sad song doesn’t always make my mood decrease.

When I listen to music, the majority of the time I am doing something else. I play music when I’m in the car, walking to class, getting ready for the day or studying.

I have started to notice how irritated I would become if my phone was dead during those activities, or if for some reason I couldn’t listen to music during those daily events. When I don’t have music, those tasks feel so much longer and more draining. Playing music in the background while doing something else is linked to improvement in cognitive performance. By keeping a song on while performing another activity, you might perform better. It can improve cognitive performance in relation to memory, attention span and reaction time.

Listening to music can reduce anxiety and pain, as well as improve mental alertness, mood, sleep quality and memory. Some people say that classical music has a better effect than pop or any other genre. I think that it depends on the person and what type of music they like.

Typically, if someone is playing a song, it means they like it. I think that would absolutely lead to a positive effect on mental health. When someone is struggling with mental health, they are often told to do things they enjoy. Hobbies can have a positive response on the brain. They are a distraction, taking your brain away from whatever you are thinking about. Music does the same thing, but you can be doing anything while listening.

Music can impact your mood, based on its relatability, or just the sound itself. For some people, reading a book can transport them into another world. Music can do the same thing. That’s why it has a positive effect on mental health. Not only is there something for everyone and every mood, but it can fuel your mind even when you don’t intend it to.

Audrey Trevarthan is an opinion writer. Contact her at [email protected].