The overwhelming sensations of a concert — the bright lights, booming bass, and electrifying energy throughout the crowd — can actually improve your health, according to a new study.

A research study conducted by famed U.K. music venue 02 and the behavioral science expert and lecturer at Goldsmiths, University of London, Patrick Fagan, found that attending concerts helps to increase one’s general well-being. Test subjects participated in psychometric and heart rate tests while walking a dog, performing yoga, and attending a live show. Fagan and 02 found that the live concert increased participants’ well-being by 21 percent, compared to 10 percent for yoga and only seven percent for dog-walking.

Research showed that people who attended live concerts for just 20 minutes were more likely to score happiness, contentment, productivity, and self-esteem at the highest level. In terms of happiness, the live concert experience increased feelings of self worth and closeness to others by 25 percent, while mental stimulation jumped by a whopping 75 percent.

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These results not only support an increase in happiness, but also extends life expectancy by nine years, according to 02.

“We all know just how good it is seeing your favourite band or artist live, but now we have the proof,” Nina Bibbly, CMO at 02 said in an article produced by 02.

However, the study proved that listening to music in general while alone is not nearly as significant as a live show. In fact, the concert experience is the key ingredient for improving one’s well-being, since there is a shared interaction with music and other concert-goers.

“Combining all of our findings with O2’s research, we arrive at a prescription of a gig a fortnight which could pave the way for almost a decade more years of life,” Fagan said in a press release.

This isn’t the first known study around music; a team from the University of Missouri found that listening to happy music can lead to positive health effects. According to a study by researchers from Imperial College London, live music reduces stress by decreasing the release of cortisol and other stress hormones. Additionally, attending a gig can help with pain relief. Dr. Steven Elsenberg, an oncologist, hematologist and internal medicine specialist based in California, said that your brain releases endorphins when you’re excited, blocking the pain. He is known to sing songs to patients with cancer.

Multiple studies show that overall happiness can lead to a longer life, and if concerts can increase happiness, maybe it’s a good idea to make a habit out of it.

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