Can Podcasts Help to Improve Your Health?

Ten years ago, no one listened to podcasts. Today, billions of podcasts are downloaded monthly, making them some of the most widely consumed forms of media on the planet.

If you’re a podcast listener, there’s a chance your podcasts of choice cover a wide range of topics.

And that’s what’s so great about them. In terms of variety and availability, the sky is the limit.

What I want to do today is show you how good they can be for your health. Beyond providing entertainment or instilling knowledge, they can help improve your health in several different and meaningful ways.

6 Ways Podcasts Can Improve Health

One thing I’ll have to mention is that if you listen to podcasts, especially with headphones, you should be sure to listen at a healthy volume.

I wrote an article about this just a few weeks ago

1 - They Can Help With Stress Reduction and Relaxation

Listening to a podcast can be an excellent way to unwind and escape from the daily grind. I believe the more we can do to help relax, the better for our overall health.

A study published by the National Institutes of Health found that engaging in enjoyable activities, like listening to music or podcasts, can lower cortisol levels, reducing stress.

Not only will this help you just feel better, but it’s good for your heart and immune system too.

So, next time you feel overwhelmed, pop in your earbuds for a mental break.

2 - They Help to Improve Cognitive Function

Podcasts often cover many subjects, offering your brain a buffet of learning opportunities. According to Harvard Health, continuous learning and mental stimulation can improve cognitive function and potentially reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. With educational podcasts, you’re not just passing the time; you're educating yourself in an engaging manner.

Podcasts don’t have to be explicitly educational. Many podcasts cover topics that you may find interesting, enjoy learning from, and can provide intellectual stimulation as well.

 3 - They Help Improve Focus and Concentration

Unlike videos or written content, podcasts require active listening, which can help improve your focus and concentration.

Many people listen to podcasts in the background while they perform daily activities, and that’s how they can help to draw your focus in.

Research from the University of California, Berkeley, shows active listening can enhance cognitive function. To sharpen your mental acuity, try integrating podcasts into your daily routine.

4 - They May Help Enhance Emotional Health

One aspect of being healthy is that we, as social creatures, like to feel like we’re not alone in the world.

For many, the circumstances of their lives and the inability to talk about what they’re going through can leave them feeling isolated or forlorn.

Since podcasts often feature stories and discussions that listeners may relate to, they are a good source of social bonding that may make people feel less alone in their experiences.

This could be anything from talking about struggles with mental illness or navigating relationships. Hearing others articulate similar challenges can be incredibly validating.

Beyond that, there are multitudes of podcasts focusing on mental health specifically that will give listeners tools they can use to improve their emotional well-being. 

5 - They May Help to Improve Physical Fitness

While a podcast cannot make you physically fit, research indicates it may encourage you to go to the gym more frequently.

A study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine indicates that listening to engaging audio content can make exercise feel less arduous and more enjoyable. Try listening to a captivating podcast during your next run — you might find that the miles fly by faster than ever.

6 - They Can Help Lead to Improved Sleep Quality:

I’m on the record for saying sleep is one of the most important things you can focus on to improve your health.

To get better sleep, you may want to focus on listening to podcasts.

Certain podcasts are specifically designed to soothe the mind and prepare it for rest. According to the Sleep Foundation, guided relaxation podcasts can significantly improve sleep quality by diminishing anxiety and promoting relaxation.

You can listen to them before falling asleep, or some people even listen to them with special headphones they wear while they’re in bed.

Whichever way works, the most important thing to realize is podcasts can improve sleep quality. 

Podcasts Really Can Improve Your Life

When I first started practicing integrative medicine, I’d never have thought I’d add “listening to podcasts” as a way to transform your health.

And yet, here we are. 

Whether you’re looking to relax, learn something new, or simply get through your workout, podcasts offer a myriad of benefits that go beyond entertainment. By integrating podcasts into your daily routine, you can support your mental and physical health in easy, enjoyable ways.

So, pop in those earbuds (but not too loud) and start reaping the health benefits today!