How Creating Therapeutic Playlists for CMCB Improves Your Own Cognitive Health

Image from wikiHow

How Creating Therapeutic Playlists for CMCB Improves Your Own Cognitive Health

At Calm Minds Connected Brains (CMCB), we believe in the power of music therapy to enhance cognitive and mental well-being. Our initiative focuses on creating therapeutic playlists for elderly individuals in nursing homes, providing them with music designed to reduce stress, improve memory, and create a sense of comfort. However, what many people don’t realize is that the process of curating these playlists doesn’t just benefit others—it benefits you too.

When you take the time to create a playlist filled with calming and therapeutic music, you’re also setting a routine for yourself—one that naturally incorporates mindful listening and relaxation into your daily life. This habit can significantly improve your cognitive health over time.

The Cognitive Benefits of Creating and Listening to Therapeutic Playlists

  1. Reduces Stress and Anxiety
    Music has a profound effect on the nervous system. Listening to calming music can lower cortisol levels, the hormone responsible for stress, helping to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. When you make a playlist for CMCB, you also expose yourself to the same music, giving your brain the opportunity to unwind and reset.

  2. Enhances Focus and Memory
    Research shows that structured and relaxing music, such as classical, lo-fi, or ambient sounds, can improve concentration and memory retention. By curating playlists and intentionally listening to music that enhances focus, you’re strengthening your brain’s ability to process and retain information—a key advantage for students and professionals alike.

  3. Creates a Self-Care Routine
    By regularly engaging with therapeutic music through playlist curation, you introduce a self-care habit that encourages moments of stillness and mindfulness. Instead of rushing through tasks or drowning in noise, you begin to associate specific songs or genres with relaxation, helping you build a healthy routine for mental well-being.

  4. Boosts Neuroplasticity
    Neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to adapt and form new connections—is influenced by various factors, including music. Studies have shown that listening to music consistently can stimulate the brain, improving problem-solving skills, emotional regulation, and cognitive flexibility. By actively curating and listening to therapeutic music, you’re engaging in a practice that keeps your brain sharp and adaptable.

Music Therapy as a Two-Way Benefit

The beauty of CMCB is that while you’re helping elderly individuals in nursing homes experience the benefits of music therapy, you’re also improving your own mental and cognitive health. Each playlist you create is an opportunity to engage with music in a way that elevates both your brain and your well-being.

By incorporating therapeutic music into your daily routine, you’re not just providing a valuable service to others—you’re setting yourself up for long-term cognitive and emotional resilience. Music therapy isn’t just for patients in hospitals or nursing homes—it’s for everyone. And through CMCB, you’re making that healing power accessible while also experiencing its benefits firsthand.

So the next time you create a playlist for CMCB, take a moment to listen and reflect—because in helping others heal through music, you’re also healing yourself.

— Written by Kachilo Madubuko, Founder of Info for Neuroscience

Previous
Previous

Breaking the Stigma: Why Music Therapy Should Be Accessible to Everyone

Next
Next

What is neuroscience and How IFN Bridges the Gap