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Culture June 19, 2018
Classical music isn't just for babies.
The role of music in the average person’s life is monumental. It’s the background to our movies, our road trips, our parties (pity parties or otherwise), and our emotions.
However, music does more than lull us in the back of our minds. It can have an immense positive boost on our brain chemistry and mood, which makes calming music an amazing addition to your self-care regiment.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter (brain chemical) which links feelings of reward and motivation in the brain. Most people think of dopamine as the natural happiness drug in your brain. Psychology Today cites a study done at McGill University which studied how music affects these dopamine levels in our brain. Using PET scans and fMRIs, the researchers found that the brain released this “happiness drug” when waiting for and listening to a song that the participants liked.
While some self-medicate in order to get that dopamine release, listening to enjoyable music creates a similar reaction because of its ability to effect that amazing neurotransmitter. That extra shot of dopamine in the morning (not a literal shot, of course) can give you that boost to kickstart your day and engage a motivated day of self-love.
The ability of a lullaby to lull a baby to sleep doesn’t stop after childhood. Sometimes, listening to quiet or soothing songs is perfect to guide you into a time of must-needed rest.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, listening to some slow jams before you go to bed can improve the quality and the quantity of your sleep. They recommend choosing songs that have an RPM of 60-80.
Whether or not you deal with insomnia or other sleep disorders, it might be a good idea to try music when you need a sleep aid on some days. Laying down with some low, chill music beside you can help ease you out of the hustle and bustle of the day and get you ready for sleep.
Calming music is an amazing resource that can be used in stressful or tense situations. A study at the Södertälje Hospital in Sweden found that patients that listened to relaxing music prior to surgery presented with lower anxiety than patients that were given midazolam. In addition to being more effective, there are no adverse side effects that come along with listening to music.
Many people already have their own playlist of calming songs to listen to when stressed or anxious. People just know that music helps in moments when they feel particularly overwhelmed.
One song in particular, “Weightless” by Marconi Union, was created with the intent and ability to “help slow a listener’s heart rate, reduce blood pressure and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.” It’s slow and calming, which can help in situations where everything feels like everything is hitting the fan.
“Weightless” isn’t the only calming music that you can listen to soothe your mind and body into a wonderful day of self-love, but it certainly makes the top of the list.
Calming Music to Get You Started:
“Weightless” by Marconi Union
“Chanson Triste” by Carla Bruni
“Behind the World” by Balmorhea
“Get You” by Daniel Caesar
“A Day Without Rain” by Enya
“Red Dust” by James Vincent McMorrow
