A podcast is a digital audio file that is available on the Internet for download or streaming via a computer or smartphone, usually available as a series.
Podcasts have been around for some time, and almost everyone has listened to a podcast at some point.
According to the latest podcast statistics, 144 million Americans listen to podcasts, which means that 51% of people in the US ages 12 and older have listened to a podcast at least once.
Many people listen to podcasts when they have free time. Some listen to them in the morning while getting ready for work, at work, when cooking, driving, or exercising. There are also a variable number of podcasts that talk about different topics.
The simple fact of listening to music can be beneficial for health. Listening to podcasts is also said to have positive effects on the mind and body. Here are some of the health benefits of listening to podcasts.
Health benefits of listening to podcasts
1. It can improve your mood
Podcasts can be an effective tool to improve your mood. For example, listening to a funny podcast can put you in a better mood when you’re feeling a little down.
There are many mental and physical benefits associated with being in a good and positive mood. Tuning into a funny podcast can make you laugh, which in turn improves your mood. Also, listening to a little humor can help reduce cortisol (stress hormone) and improve your mood.
2. Reduces stress and anxiety
Stress and anxiety can negatively affect your health and well-being. Although there are many ways to combat stress and anxiety, listening to podcasts is one of the easiest ways to relieve stress and anxiety.
According to a 2020 study conducted by the University of Valencia in Spain, listening to a brief guided mindfulness meditation can increase your oxytocin levels and reduce stress and anxiety.
Listening to podcasts can also lead to dopamine and serotonin production. Dopamine and serotonin are feel-good chemicals, which means they can help combat feelings of stress and anxiety.
3. Improves focus, concentration and attention span
Podcasts are a great way to improve your focus, concentration, and attention span. When you listen to suspenseful podcasts, like true crime podcasts, it can stimulate your brain.
Your brain interprets suspense information through the medulla oblongata, which produces adrenaline, a stress-inducing chemical that makes the brain more alert and engaged.
Therefore, paying attention to podcasts is one of the healthy ways to improve your focus, concentration and attention span.
4. Improves brain health
It is important to strengthen the health and function of our brain by constantly learning new information. Listening to podcasts is a great way to improve your brain health. Yes indeed, listening to podcasts can make you smarter.
When you listen to informative and educational audio, you open your mind and increase your knowledge in the same way that reading does. Also, listening to audio content makes the brain work harder, which exercises it.
5. It helps you fall asleep
Getting enough sleep is crucial to your overall health and well-being. However, not many are able to fall asleep easily. However, podcasts can help.
Listening to podcasts is a great way to wind down before falling asleep. There are plenty of podcasts dedicated to helping their listeners fall asleep, and they actually work.
6. It can be a form of self-care
Listening to podcasts can be a form of self-care. This means that taking the time to listen to podcasts can be a way to prioritize your own mental health and well-being.
For example, imagine a scenario where someone is feeling overwhelmed and stressed by work or personal responsibilities. They may choose to listen to a podcast as a way to relax and unwind, which can help reduce stress levels and improve their mood.
7. Stimulates mental imagery and improves visual processes
Another interesting health benefit of listening to podcasts is that it can stimulate mental visualization and improve visual processes, which can be good for your health.
This is because mental imagery and visual processing are important cognitive functions that can help improve memory, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
To add to that, research has shown that mental imagery can activate brain regions similar to actual experiences, which can help improve overall brain function.
When listening to podcasts that stimulate mental imagery and visual processes, people can exercise these cognitive functions and potentially improve their overall brain health.
Bottom line
As you’ve seen, listening to podcasts offers many amazing health benefits. You can also learn how to improve your health, fitness or well-being with some podcasts. Therefore, you should start listening to one. There are a plethora of wonderful podcasts out there that can perk up your ears and keep you glued on.
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