The best stress relief music is a very large and complex topic.
Can a majestic piece by Mozart be the answer to your troubled mind?
Or does it take a beatiful ballad by one of today’s top artists to calm you down?
Music has been a powerful tool used for centuries to heal the body and bring about a sense of well-being.
This is something which ma be sorely lacking in your life, and many others.
The nature of it is universal, and thus can be enjoyed by everyone!
Think of music as a way to uplift your thoughts into a type of dream world. A world created by our vast imagination, free of worry, virtually wrapping us up within its soothing arms of relaxation.
Aaaah, sounds nice, right? While my words may be a bit overly dramatic for some(lol), I think they serve to lyrically get the point across.
And the point is…there are a multitude of pleasant feelings which can experienced with the proper tunage:)
Let’s Get Personal
Trying to say there is only one particular type of music for relaxation is like stating there can only be ONE type of food to satisfy everyone’s taste buds.
We can all agree on what a silly notion that is…(But seriously, pizza rocks!!! HaHa)
The best advice I can give is to listen to your inner voice.
You know what kind of music pumps you up. You know which songs make you sad. And likewise, you’re aware of the kinds of tunes that relax and ease your mind.
If you’re uncertain, try a few different selections out.
When you’re upset…put on some smooth jazz, or find a local classical station. Maybe even listen to some Native American Flute music and see how that makes you feel.
I’ve mentioned some of the more popular choices of stress relief music, but you can make your own decisions in that regard.
Don’t let preconceived ideas hold you back!
The Top Contenders
What I said above is absolutely true. Every individual is unique and so will be their tastes in music.
But, it has been proven that some musical genres are more condusive to stress relief and relaxation than others.
This would be the best place to begin your search for a personal favorite.
If you were to take a large public survey on which compositions have the greatest calming effect, I’m sure classical would top the list.
The structure and eloquence of a beautiful sonata just lends itself to peaceful feelings.
Years ago I worked with a guy who loved heavy metal music. When driving, however, he would always put a classical station on the radio.
Since driving can be one of the more hectic parts of life, he claimed he was able to stay more relaxed while cruising to Mozart or Chopin. LOL Pretty funny, hugh?
A close second would have to be Native American music, particularly pieces which feature the flute.
Light jazz is another good choice. Some people also like to listen to Celtic songs during their most difficult times.
Me personally, I like to mix it up. I will even listen to some Country winding down after a hard day at work!
All the genres I just mentioned are completely separate, yet there seems to be a common thread which binds them together in a weird way...don’t you think?
Here’s Some Classical Music That Will Melt Your Stress Away!!! CLICK HERE!
The Study
I read about an interesting study where scientists compared the effects of music and nature sounds on stress.
Since cortisol and an enzyme called alpha-amylase (found in saliva) are both released in response to stress, these were the levels measured while conducting this experiment.
The results were positive, but quite inconclusive.
As it turns out, the alpha-amylase levels of subjects listening to classical music while stressed out returned to normal faster than those playing nature sounds.
Hmmm…not bad! It seems that when you are upset or overburdened, the quickest way to calm down is to throw on some Beethoven or Brahms.
But wait!!!
The same study also showed that nature sounds produced the lowest cortisol levels!
So in other words, listening to sounds of nature may reduce stress more thoroughly than classical music, though not as fast.
Before your head completely explodes (figuratively speaking of course!), there is a simple solution…
Try both forms of relaxation when you need it most.
Or better yet, combine both of them to create an awesome atmospheric environment where you can forget about any and all troubling thoughts.
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Summary
I think it’s plain to see how music links us to our innermost, deepest feelings.
Because of this fact, it can be one of the most effective tools in your arsenal against stress.
Often times playing songs that are compatible with your current mood can be a way to feel better. For instance, don’t you somehow feel less depressed while listening to sad melodies?
All in all, the only person who can answer what the best stress relief music is…IS YOU!!!
We are fortunate in this day in age to have access to so many different kinds of music, literally at our fingertips.
So keep an open mind, and don’t be afraid to try something new!
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic….what do you say???
I’m all about stress relief musics! I am that person that needs to hear a soothing music when I wake up and drink my tea in the morning. It just gives me goosebumps and gets me ready for the day. Obviously, it’s hard to take that time every morning but I feel like I need to take it once in a while otherwise I don’t feel very good.
I’m with you when you say that the music tastes depend on each individual. When I had a roommate, he didn’t my music or get what I was listening. He thought I was a depressed maniac but he didn’t really know how I deeply felt with that music. I encourage people to try it too! Soothing music in the mornings are the best!
I agree totally Parmi! Listening to soothing music in the morning is a great idea. It sets the tone for the entire day. People who have a lot of stress on their jobs or during their daily routine should definitely try to wake up a little earlier in the morning and listen to some music that relaxes them.
As you stated above, not everyone will agree on what type of music or sounds are best for relaxation, but that’s what makes us all unique individuals:)
Thanks for your comments!
Mark
There are so many different things said about music and productivity/relaxation and I think the bottom line is that everyone is different so in that sense it can be used differently. That’s exactly why I agree with your point that it is universal and can be used by everyone. For example, throwing on a track at the end of your day to relax vs listing to stay calm while you study depending on the genre you feel appropriate are just some different combinations that can help you. I can speak from experience that I didn’t expect the value in listening to certain new genres, such as classical music, as opposed to my usual favorites while studying/working on homework and making that process smoother and less stressful.
You make some excellent points, Ryan. I hope others will keep an open mind like yourself and explore different genres of music, and combinations of sounds, for a variety of situations.
I personally prefer something light and soothing while reading, as opposed to after a hard day at work, when I may need to throw on some hard rock to relax LOL. But like you said, everybody is different. We each need to find out what resonates best within ourselves during stressful times, or when attempting to be more productive.
Mark
Thanks for the interesting post. I think the type of music that can relax a person could also vary depending on the situation. Something to relax me on the drive home could be very different than something to relax me after a friend and I have an argument. I might be about the only one but I cannot find classical music stressful 🙂 Something about it really raises my anxiety levels … I know kind of weird. For me so far the most relaxing sound would be just some white noise or the sound of water crashing onto the shore. Ah, a nice steady rain is also super relaxing! Other types of music generally don’t do it for me because I think I read too much into the lyrics. Perhaps I should try that flute music you mentioned. Something without words but a nice easy sound might do the trick. Thanks much!
Hi Lynne! Thanks for sharing your honest thoughts on this subject. You are absolutely correct, different situations can lend themselves better to different types of music or sounds for relaxation. I also think, like yourself, that some other people don’t find classical music pleasing because it lacks a steady rhythm. But then again, many do.
You really should check out some Native American Flute Music, it just seems to massage the inner workings of a troubled soul…if I may get a bit poetic LOL.
Have you heard about the free tool I highlighted in an older post…FREE Nature Sounds? It’s in the resources section of my site. You can move the dials around and choose from ocean waves or a steady rain, and even decide if you want the rain to be heavy or hitting a roof. And I think there are Native American Futes on there as well. It’s pretty cool. All from the comfort of your computer:)
Thanks Again,
Mark
Hi Mark This topic I can relate to I myself have used music as a form of stress release, or mood lifter and mood motivator my favorite musics are Gospel, and Irish Celtic after listening to these I tend to feel uplifted and stress free (for a while any way)
And listening to the sound of nature is really the best remedy to calm a troubled soul I think this post is what people need is this time when it seems that every thing around us is falling apart.
Very good article I think more of us should use this remedy for out stressed out lives .Thank you.
Hi! Thanks for sharing your thoughts about this subject. I agree with you 100%. When I watch the news on tv, it really upsets me to see all of the chaos and havoc taking place around the world. And music or the sounds of nature is a great way to step out of that negativity for a bit and calm our troubled souls.
I love your choices of Gospel and Irish Celtic music! They are both very uplifting and can definitely turn a dark day into a brighter picture. I plan to write about both of these musical genres in the near future:)
You’re right, more people should understand how effective this natural remedy is and use it for their own stress reduction needs.
All The Best,
Mark