In a just released study, Marie Helsing, a researcher at Göteborg University, looked at the connection between listening to music and positive feelings, and concludes that music can lead to better health.

“There are many positive feelings which are felt more often and more strongly when music is added, for instance loving, nostalgic and inspired feelings. And positive feeling in turn lead to less stress,” she explains.

In her dissertation Helsing observes that when one relaxes to music, one’s levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, decreases much more than when one rests in silence. So next time you relax, play your favorite music and enhance both your physical and mental well-being.

For more info and source: Göteborgs Univeristet, Psykologiska Institutionen or Music in everyday life: the effects of everyday music listening on emotions, stress, and health