Playing music aloud in the home generates more intimacy, according to a study by neuroscientist Daniel Levitin, author of This Is Your Brain On Music.  

“When music is playing at home, people become physically closer. The average distance between household members decreased by 12% during the in-home study. In the U.S., housemates (usually family members) spent four and a half more hours together with music playing than without it. With music on, people were 33% more likely to cook together and 85% more likely to invite people over. They were 15% more likely to laugh together and 18% more likely to utter the words ‘I love you.’

People also have sex more, thanks to music. In Sonos’s initial survey, couples reported 66% more intimacy when music is playing. And indeed, the in-home experiment found couples spending 37% more “awake time” in bed.“

I cannot listen to music with lyrics while I am writing, but I love to play music while I am cooking, eating, cleaning, doing crafts, playing games, and just hanging out. I’m also addicted to creating playlists, and I have themes for every season, the big holidays, when it is raining, when I am cleaning, and playlists to match my every mood.

We have speakers throughout the house connected to our digital music service so we can listen to the same music even if we are in different rooms, or if we are moving about the house.

If listening to music aloud in your home is not already your practice, try it this week. You may find yourself experiencing more family togetherness and joy.

Excerpt from Hag Stone Journal issue: Magic Music, Sacred Music