There are already a million good reasons to listen to music - namely, we all love it. But if you need any extra excuses for all of your music listening or making - here are the legit ways that music makes us healthier, happier people.

1. Your Brain
If you’re over the age of 9, which I’m going to go ahead and assume that you are, your brain just isn’t what it used to be. When we’re little, our brains have a certain amount of plasticity - meaning they’re more easily molded by incoming information - hence, the development of child prodigies - kids that can do one thing better than I'll ever be able to do all the things I'm good at combined. Depressing. But anyway, just because we’re all 9+ doesn’t mean we’re ancient-of-days and totally unable to learn new stuff. Taking on a new mental challenge, like learning how to play a new instrument, can help your brain regain some of that flexibility and cognitive ability.  Also, Dr. Antonio Damasio with the University of Southern California’s Brain and Creativity Institute says that the pleasure we feel when listening to music releases neural growth factors that promote the well-being and development of our brain cells. So listen to music you love and have a better brain - pretty good deal.

2. Your Happiness
Wonder why your mood instantly lifts when a song you love comes on the radio? No surprise here (since everything we do is motivated by some type of chemically-brain-whatsit), but listening to music releases dopamine - the ultimate feel-good brain juice. Dopamine release is closely related with addiction which explains music’s mildly addictive quality. Bieber Fever - for the 9-year-olds still reading this post.

3. Your Mental Health
Through this assortment of stuff including neural growth and dopamine release, listening to and playing music is an excellent way for you to organize the chaos in your mind that results from stress, and in some instances, mental illness. Watch this TED Talk about how paranoid schizophrenic Nathaniel Ayers finds relief from his illness through music. Then watch The Soloist - a movie based on his relationship with an L.A. Times reporter who helped him transition from the homelessness in the streets back to the concert hall. Lovely film.

4. Your Body
According to this BBC News article, the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital has noticed significant positive responses in patients that listen to live music like at the regular hospital performances. The hospital performed a study that noted patients who regularly engage with live music experienced tangible, measurable, physical (real-life, folks) changes like a decrease in blood pressure and stress-related hormones as well as a speedier recovery time. So the next time you're feeling unwell, try something new and head out to a show. Our list of favourite small music venues should get you started doing what is, apparently, one of the healthiest things to do in London.

Do you have a story about how music has improved your life/health/day? Or a favourite new band to recommend? Tell us about it in the comments.