We have all been doing a task, listening to some of our favorite music. After a bit of work, you get into the groove and the music becomes a soundtrack that seems to help push you along. Scientists have now conducted studies to show that the groove is, in fact, in the heart and the brain. More precisely, they have shown that groove music increases your executive functions.
Scientists at The University of Tsukuba in Japan have been performing studies to show the correlation between groove music and the brain.
What do we mean by “groove”? Webster’s defines it as a “a pronounced enjoyable rhythm.” For the purposes of the studies referenced above, the researchers defined it as a rhythm that induces the sensation of “wanting to move to the music”.
Their studies showed that music with a groove can significantly increase measures of executive function and associated brain activity in participants who are moved by the music!
By increasing cognitive and executive function, we can stave off Alzheimer’s, increase performance in tasks and more. Loss of executive functions can be debilitating for the afflicted person, and so any healthy strategy to boost that ability is a groovy slide-step in the right direction.
The next time you’re trying to get into the zone, put on some tunes. Then ride that groove to cognitive bliss!
Hat tip: Good News Network
