
A new study shows that going to music gigs is a very, very healthy habit.
Attending music gigs is one way to relieve stress and be social. It may also be a great way to add years to your life. Which is great news to most of the people reading this article.
O2 and Goldsmith University Associate Lecturer Patrick Fagan published the unexpected results. Fagan specializes in behavioral science, and headed into the study understanding the positive impact of communal arts experiences. What the data started showing, however, was pretty shocking.
According to the study, experiencing a gig for just 20 minutes can result in a 21% increase in feelings of well-being. Furthermore, the research found a direct link between “high levels of well-being and a lifespan increase of nine years” or more.
Of course, that’s up to a decade of extra living. If you’re aged 107, heading out to gigs every night won’t extend you to 116. But it does means that younger fans can effectively boost their life expectancies by indulging in the positive behavior. That is, provided they abstain from seriously harmful drugs, high-risk activities, and have generally healthy habits.
The life extension estimate wasn’t a random guess. Psychometric testing and heart-rate tests were given to the participants of the study. Results showed that the participants increased their feelings of self-worth (25%), closeness to others (25%) and mental stimulation (75%) when they attended gigs.
Going to gigs = a happier, healthier, longer life.
Overall, those who routinely enjoyed music gigs were found to be happier, better contented, and more productive, according to test results. Their self-esteem was also elevated (even if they went to Radiohead concerts, but I jest).
Speaking about the results of the study, Fagan praised the “profound” impact gigs can have on the human experience. He also said that “our research showcases the profound impact gigs have on feelings of health, happiness, and wellbeing – with fortnightly or regular attendance being the key.”
“Combining all of our findings with O2’s research, we arrive at a prescription for a gig a fortnight which could pave the way for almost a decade more years of life.”
Most of us know that music is beneficial to our health, but this is the first study that shows attending music gigs can actually add years to life. That said, one area that probably skews this data is that people who regularly attend shows are probably more social people, with a greater penchant to enjoy life’s pleasures (which benefits your health more broadly).
It’s kind of like that study that found that people who regularly floss their teeth live longer lives or enjoy unbelievable health benfits. The only problem with those conclusions is that people who floss are usually in better shape and have a broader health regimen. So it’s hard to isolate one activity.
+ Metal Music Has Enormous Mental Health Benefits, Scientific Study Finds
And what about solitary musical pleasures? On that note, it turns out that confining your love for music to the comforts of your own home will still do you good. But attending a gig is way better.
So get off the couch and enjoy the language of the soul with other music lovers!
Great Article! Speaking of, have you heard of Sound Legends? It basically helps take your music career to the next level – legendary status. Sound Legends is an online music service with a complete suite of easy-to-use tools and resources to help independent artists achieve legendary status. They even help independent artists get their music copyrighted, which is the ultimate game changer. Check it out here: http://bit.ly/2Ew8dJo
Speaking of which, have you heard about SPAM?
I am in it
unless the concerts are promoted by Live Nation, then you get killed by a collapsed stage, shot by a sniper or just bored to death by going to the same lame ass venues to see overpaid talentless acts
True, those Ticketmaster fees kill — but, you can counteract that by going to a lot of shows and extending your life.
“Attending a Concert Every 2 Weeks Will Add 9 Years to Your Life, Study Finds”
Those of us with even a rudimentary understanding of statistics know that this is not a conclusion that can accurately be reached based on the data described in the “study.” There is a difference between correlation and causality.
Might work if the concert delivers a good experience. Besides where would you find good concerts happening every two weeks? This article sounds like another one of those GenX-Millenial Blah-blahs.
Glasgow
Santa Cruz, CA
…hey don’t knock it unless you try it …
seems practical to me … live is living .. living is longevity … long live rock and roll …
…And a downer outlook loses you 9 years??
Really!? Concert every 2 weeks? Lol, Add years to your life and no money in your wallet! Also I wouldn’t look as forward to it, if I went that often.
Talk about hearing loss though!
I thought it was interesting that attending a concert or other music event for just 20 minutes could increase feelings of well being. My friend has terrible depression, so I think she may be very interested in reading this article. Does the genre of event effect the health benefits?
http://www.silverthorne.org/discover-silverthorne/pavilion/events
果壳 科技有意思
02 funds research that says you need to pay 02 money twice a month for the rest of your life to add 9 years to exist in a country where bands don’t bother playing anymore because
– their gear is stuck in a lorry park in Kent
– and their black musicians and crew have been denied visas and
– the ferry never arrived because it never existed
But still … (so sorry I just had to)
I had no clue that your feelings of well-being could be increased by 21% just by going to a gig for 20 minutes. I like how you also pointed out that the younger generations could have potentially longer life expectancies if they went to these gigs and have positive behavior. My oldest son is a teenager and he really wants to go to a concert that’s in two weeks. I know my son isn’t one to behave out-of-place so I think it’d be okay for him to go. He might end up living longer because of it so he can thank me for that.
https://heroesliveent.com/alternative-concerts/