Listening to music is one of the few activities that involves using the whole brain. It is helpful and can have surprising benefits not only for learning language, improving memory and focusing attention, but also for physical coordination and development. Of course, music can be distracting if it’s too loud or if it competes for our attention with what we’re trying to do. You can use good headphones instead so it will not be too jarring.

Music is good for your heart. Research shows that it is musical tempo, rather than style. Whether or not a person liked the style of music did not matter. The tempo, or pace, of the music had the greatest effect on relaxation. The idea that music makes you smarter received considerable attention from scientists and the media. Listening to music or playing an instrument can actually make you learn better. And research confirms this.