It’s tough to find time to do it all. Go to work, do a shop, meet your friends, go for a run, journal, drink 2 liters of water, find things to do at the weekend. The list goes on. Maximizing your spare time and taking care of your mental well-being in L.A. can seem like an almost impossible task. But classical music offers a way to do both. And, if you experience it live, there’s an added benefit that rhymes with all words -essence. Find out below.
Here are six ways classical music concerts can seriously lift your mood—all backed by research.
1. Ease anxiety and reduce depression
Music is proven to ease daily stress and a study by Emporia State University found that classical music, in particular, lowers anxiety and depression far more than pop or heavy metal. The study also found that regular listening to composers like Mozart and Vivaldi led to measurable drops in blood pressure and heart rate, and improved overall well-being in the long-term. For mind and body, classical music offers a gentle, long-lasting approach to stress relief, making it a powerful alternative to more intense outlets like L.A.’s rage rooms.
2. Mozart makes you smarter, doom-scrolling does not
Here’s a hack to feel less guilty when doomscrolling: studies show that listening to classical music—known as the ‘Mozart Effect’—can actually boost brainpower. Research shows that people who listen to Mozart score higher on IQ tests and boost their memory, while nonstop doom-scrolling on TikTok tends to have the opposite effect. So, combine them both and help your brain, or drop it completely and immerse yourself attend a classical music concert. We promise your brain will thank you for it.
3. Choose classical—your brain will thank you
A study from Zurich found that actually picking the music you listen to, instead of having it chosen for you, led to a bigger drop in stress and negative emotions. Choosing to do something good for your mind—even when it’s hard to find the time—pays off in a big way. So, make the active choice to stop listening to songs you found on Instagram or Fb, and your well-being reaps rewards.
4. Reduce feelings of loneliness
According to a study by Anglia Ruskin University, attending live events leads to a stronger sense of belonging and less loneliness. Feeling part of a crowd—whether at a match or a concert—does wonders for mood and connection. The loneliness epidemic is real, especially as remote work has many of us isolated day-to-day. Outside of concerts, Angelenos can use statewide mental health warm line, where anyone can talk with someone if they’re struggling
5. Experience the joy of “collective effervescence”
Collective Effervescence is the theory developed by sociologist Émile Durkheim to explain how moments of shared emotional intensity within groups can foster unity and energize participants. Candlelight concerts in Los Angeles offer an enchanting place to experience this for the first time. With stunning settings, tributes to your favorite stars and thousands of candles, these are set to be concerts where you leave feeling more Zen than before.
6. Build community through live music
Sometimes the simplest way to connect is by stepping outside your routine and sharing experiences with others. By putting yourself in new settings and attending events where people have gathered for the same reason, you open the door to meeting like-minded individuals. So whether its a solo date, or you and your friends are looking to meet a new gang, attending a concert will always be a good place to start.
