Millions of people all over the world have been touched by Taylor Swift's music. Going beyond the cult-like faze behind Taylor Swift's immense popularity, studies have also started to see how her music could affect the mental health of people, both the positive and negative impacts.
Mental Health Boost
Alli Spotts-De Lazzer, a mental health specialist and therapist from California, joined a discussion group in the University of Kansas. The university provides a course known as "The Sociology of Taylor Swift." According to Ms. Lazzer, the magic behind the music is the incredible sense of belongingness felt by the fans.
Trading friendship bracelets during Taylor Swift's concerts has become a tradition. This practice is inspired by the song lyrics of "You're on Your Own, Kid," which was included in her Midnights album. As part of the song, Taylor swings about how jewelry can build connections.
Ms. Lazzer also adds that the music can also teach coping skills, exemplified in her song "Breathe."
Aside from this, London's O2 Arena recently collaborated with a consumer research company to administer a survey to 2,000 individuals from 14 to 25 years old. The survey discovered that 80% of these young people think that live events and music can positively affect mood and general wellness. When the participants were asked which artists yielded the greatest effects on mental health, Taylor Swift topped the list.
Fanbases that are dedicated, including the Swifties community, were also known to have positive influences. Around 61% of young people agreed that being part of these communities both in-person and online could positively affect their well-being or mood.
Amnesia
However, there are also reports that show that there are individuals experiencing amnesia after attending The Eras Tour. According to 25-year-old Jenna Tocatilan from New York, she dreamed about seeing Taylor Swift for so long that it was hard to retain what took place in her head, further noting the reality of post-concern amnesia.
According to experts, there is good evidence behind the phenomenon that does not just take place among the Swifties.
Dr. Dean Burnett, a neuroscientist and honorary research associate from Cardiff University, explains that if one joins the concert of someone they love, alongside thousands of other excited individuals, and listening to music with established emotional links, this could be a lot of emotions taking place at the same time.
Dr. Burneyy notes that this could be exhausting for the brain. However, aside from that, it will also mean that the entire experience would come with a high emotional quality, leaving nothing to stand out.
Associate psychology professor Dr. Ewan McNay from State University of New York also explains that the brains of people react to great positive emotions the same way they react to stress that is negative. This overload could hamper memory formation.
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