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Music is more than just entertainment. It is one of the most available and powerful ways to influence our mental state. Yet many people still fail to see its power. In fact, music can support mental health not only in clinical (临床的) settings, but also in our daily lives.

We all know that music can influence our emotions. It can calm us down, cheer us up, or even make us cry. But recent research has shown that music can also change the content (内容) of our thoughts. In a study of University of Bergen, Norway in 2019, participants listened to uplifting or sad music as they daydreamed. The result showed uplifting music led to more positive and active thoughts, while sad music brought about calmer or less motivating ones.

One Harvard University study finds that day dreaming takes up half of our waking hours. When we daydream, we are generally less happy. Why? Because during these daydreaming periods, the brain's default mode network (DMN) takes over. This supports imagination, memory and reflection, but often gets us caught in repetitive, negative thought cycles: the painful regrets or the midnight worries. Fortunately, the brain has a natural counterpart (对应的事物): the executive network (EN), which helps us focus and carry out goal-directed actions. These two systems are anticorrelated—when one is active, the other quiets down. And music, especially when we are actively engaged (沉浸) in it, can shift brain activities controlled by the DMN into a mode supported by the EN. By tapping along with a beat, breathing with a rhythm, or humming a tune, we redirect attention, break negative thought cycles and give the mind a cognitive "reset".

In fact, the benefits go beyond changing the thought content. In a 2023 experiment, people who tapped along with music felt significantly less pain from a short pressure on the fingernail than those who only listened. The pairing of musical engagement and related movement could reduce the pain to a clinically important degree.

All these findings show that musical engagement helps influence thought content and ease pain effectively. Therefore, music should be treated as more than a pastime: It deserves a place in schools, public health plans, and everyday routines. So when you are lost in negative thought cycles or stress begins to build, try your favorite song and tap along.

Every Saturday, when her mother worked, young Belle spent the day at her grandmother's laundry (洗衣店). She loved being with Grandma, but wished she could do more than just practice hobbies like drawing pictures and reading books.

One morning, Belle asked Grandma, "Please let me help with the customers!" Grandma agreed to let her write down orders and put tags on clothes. Belle could do small clothes easily, but when a very large bedspread (床罩) arrived, she couldn't lift it. She lost her balance, and the bedspread fell on her, soft and heavy.

Belle struggled to come out from under the bedspread and saw Grandma smiling. "Why not draw instead? You're such a good artist." Grandma suggested. But Belle felt down. She wanted to really help-not just draw pictures.

That afternoon, Belle noticed some high school students painting shop windows along the street. They were painting "GO TIGERS!" in big letters.

"What if you get in trouble?" Belle asked.

One student laughed, "Don't worry. No trouble! It's a kind of special paint—just cornstarch (玉米淀粉), soap and food coloring. It washes right off!"

Belle's eyes sparkled with excitement. She ran back to Grandma's empty shop windows with a great idea. After getting Grandma's agreement, she went to buy materials and mixed colorful paints by herself. Slowly and carefully, Belle painted these words on the window: "AFTER THE GAME, BRING YOUR UNIFORMS HERE!" Under the words, she drew a fun picture—sports shirts happily jumping into bubbly water.

When Grandma came outside, a small crowd had gathered. "Perfect!" someone said. Grandma gave Belle a big hug and said happily, "This just might work!"

Later, after the big game, when tired players really came to Grandma's shop with their dirty uniforms, Belle knew her artwork had truly helped—just as she hoped!

A Special Win

Every summer, there would be a horseshoe pitching competition in our town. Dad had been the winner for ten years, though Old Tom never made it1.

One week before this year's games, Dad injured his arm. As his 14-year-old daughter, I decided to enter the "men's" game to beat Old Tom and2 the family honor. So every afternoon, I practiced tirelessly with horseshoe pitching just one goal—to win.

However, when I stood on the field, among the strong men competitors,3 filled my heart. Sneers (讥讽) came around, making me feel worse. Suddenly, I heard someone calling my name. I raised my head and found it was Old Tom—my biggest "4" today.

"I saw you practicing the other day. You have your dad's talent. Go on. Make him proud." His words magically worked! Looking into his caring eyes, I thanked him and joked, "You'll5 your kindness because I won't go easy on you."

"Oh, you scared me, Grace!" he said with a loud laugh. Then I laughed, too.

Games went on until only Old Tom and I remained. We pitched, tying all up until the very last round. I went first—my horseshoe landing like a hair away from the stake. Now it was Old Tom's turn. I held my breath, and couldn't help hoping he would6. However, after a clear sound, the crowd went wild, "Old Tom! Old Tom!" My heart sank.

Old Tom raised a hand for silence. Then, to everyone's disbelief, he studied the stakes and then spoke loudly, "Hers is closer; the win is hers."

The old man's acts touched me deeply. I decided to7 his unbelievable kindness. I ran to the judges and asked whether we could share the honor. They agreed.

That year, for the first time ever, two names were printed on the champion's trophy (奖杯). Not only did I get my first championship but I also learned the true8 of a sports game from an "enemy".

—Usually at 8:00 am.

—No, thanks. I ________ it twice already.

—In a store near my home.

In junior high school in America, kids study English, writing, maths, science, biology, music and art. 

At 12 , the students have lunch at school. They eat meat (肉),  (vegetable), fruit and bread, but they like hot dogs and hamburgers . American kids like sugar (糖), and after the meal they can  (have) a small piece of cake. 

Students sleep (睡觉) for a short time after . They begin classes at half  one in the afternoon. They go to  on weekdays and have classes for six  (hour) every day and then go home. 

Parents let their kids play or watch TV until (直到) dinner at 6:00 p. m. After dinner, they do their . Sometimes kids and  (they) parents have a family activity after dinner. 

 two tomatoes  slices. 

If you  white  black, you can get grey. 

I play basketball well, but my brother plays it   than me.