Music is a very common entertainment. It brings joy into many people’s lives and allows people to express themselves and their emotions. Music is everywhere. People are constantly listening to it out in the open and alone with themselves. But is continuously listening to music a bad thing?
Listening to music itself is not a bad thing, but listening to it constantly can be. Everything in life should have a balance to it, even little things like this.
Music is used as a distraction for many people. Listening to lyrics that are relatable and soothing can make you temporarily forget the reality of the world. Music won’t be a permanent solution to those issues. Once you’re done listening, you’ll face the same issues again. It can turn into this ongoing cycle which can be exhausting to live in.
Another form of distraction music can cause is being carried away from certain tasks that need to be done. Many people use music to help them concentrate, this technique works for some people, but for others, not so much. They may think it will, but music can easily take away your attention on things which need silence.
Raisa West, a 22 year-old undergraduate student at NC Central, said, “As a teenager in high school, I would have music playing in my ears 24/7. It helped me cope with stress for a bit, but soon after, I would use it to procrastinate through my work. I never got things done on time. It became a very bad habit which took me two years to get out of.”
Relying on music for emotional regulation can cause an unhealthy habit development.
Music can also become a barrier between you and the world and people around you. When you have something blasting in your ears, it takes away the time to be able to talk to people around you. It helps you avoid social interactions, which can cause issues at times where you will need to interact and engage in social activities.
Another important thing to keep in mind is the usage of headphones/earbuds. It’s very common amongst teenagers to have their volume level on blast, but this can cause damage to your ability to hear. Be mindful of the volume level and chose what’s appropriate.
Considering all these points, it’s important to remember the side effects to music. Listening to it here and there is fine, but too much of it is not. Make sure you’re choosing healthy approaches to everything.
