After going through a particularly rough break up, the entertainer turned to the genre for the first time in his life. Much to his surprise, he found immense comfort.
“Country music has at least one song that will speak to your heart directly because you feel like the artist wrote that song specifically about you and your life because of how detailed the songs are.”
Iglesias’s first embrace of the genre brought him significant mental relief. A new study shows he’s not alone. Conducted by the healthcare company Tebra, the study results show that country music is a top genre linked to better mental health among its listeners.
Country Music and Mental Health
In addition to country music being a top genre for good mental health, it is also an incredibly popular genre, even outside the United States. Data shows that about 45 percent of Americans listen to country, and the UK is one of the genre’s biggest markets outside of the United States.
Not only does the study highlight the link between country music and positive mental wellness, but it also digs deeper into the individual ways music leaves us feeling better, more connected to others, and more optimistic about the future.
The Healing Power of Music
In the Tebra study, 79 percent of participants said they use music as a tool for getting through trying times. Sixty-one percent reported it helps tamp down anxiety, 74 percent said music is an effective mood enhancer and 73 percent found that listening to music reduces stress.
Healthcare providers have long understood music can help their patients. They also know it can help them, too. According to the study, 37 percent of medical professionals report listening to music while performing surgeries or procedures, and while seeing patients.
Country Music: A Source of Truth
Truth is vital to good mental health. And while country music has plenty of fun, celebratory tunes, songwriters and artists of the genre aren’t afraid to wade into deeper waters. The subject matter tackled is universal, from friendships and family to work and play. And the lives of courageous yet humble individuals are retold—both their triumphs and their struggles.
“Country music knows when you’re sad. Country music knows when you’re weak. Country music knows when you’re vulnerable and need something to fill the void … and it’s not until you experience a certain time in your life that it makes sense.”
Values in Country Music
Perhaps most beneficial to country music listeners and their mental health are the values that are found throughout the genre’s repertoire. Like the values mentioned in Jackson’s track, other universally important values can be found throughout country music. These range from the value of true friendship or a supportive family to the value of a strong community.
Listening to country music and connecting with the values the songs represent can be a powerful tool in one’s wellness kit that fosters a healthy, positive outlook. This creates a stronger sense of purpose for oneself, and a better connection with those around you. Two equally important objectives for a mind at peace and a heart that’s full.
Country Music, Mental Health, Wellness, Music Therapy, Stress Reduction
