Watching twenty minutes of live music is better for wellbeing than 20 minutes of yoga, a study has found.

The study – which was carried out by behavioural science expert and Goldsmiths University associate lecturer Patrick Fagan – observed three groups of twenty participants, who were fitted with heart monitors before being sent to a one of three different 'stress-busting' activities; dog walking, yoga or a Paloma Faith gig.

Psychometric tests, carried out before and after the activities, found that those who had attended the gig reported higher levels of wellness than those who didn't.

In addition, those who attended the gig also experienced a 21 per cent increase in mood, compared to the 10 per cent seen by those who did yoga, and the seven per cent experienced by the dog walkers.

"Our research showcases the profound impact gigs have on feelings of health, happiness and wellbeing", said Fagan.

Additional research has found that people who regularly experience live music reported high levels of personal happiness, contentment, productivity and self-esteem, with high levels of wellbeing reportedly increasing lifespan by an average of nine years.