Neuroscientists on Anxiety and Reducing It Up To 65% through Music
A lot of people suffer from anxiety and somehow this should be personally managed. Stress increases serious health risks such as heart disease, obesity, depression and digestive problems. Therefore managing stress is very important for one’s overall health.
Different techniques to help manage stress levels and combat anxiety may work depending on the person: exercising, chewing a gum, meditating, watching a funny TV show, eating lots of sweets, punching a pillow, listening to a favorite song, etc.
Music and sound therapies have long been used to relax and restore one’s health. Our feelings are influenced by our music therefore finding out that certain songs can reduce anxiety is not that shocking.
A study conducted by Mindlab International was done to identify the best songs to reduce overall anxiety. Participants were asked to solve difficult puzzles under time constraints while connected to sensors. This induced stress was counteracted by researchers with relaxation music tracks by varied artists while measuring their heart rate, brain activity, blood pressure, and rate of breathing.
According to Dr. David Lewis-Hodgson who conducted the study, the top song which is “Weightless” proved to reduce participants’ anxiety by up to 65% which is greater than any other music tested. It is therefore fair to say that the study was successful despite the fact that it wasn’t fun.
Marconi Union, the group who created the top song, collaborated with sound therapists in arranging the harmonies, rhythms, and bass lines to slow a listener’s heart rate, reduce blood pressure, and lower cortisol levels. The song starts at 60 beats per minute and gradually decreases to 50 beats per minute.
The listeners’ heart rates gradually come to match the beat of the song. Also, the song is eight minutes long since it takes about five minutes for the body to synchronize with a rhythm. There is no repeating melody in the song so that the brain does not try to predict what will come next. The track was recognized as one of the top 50 inventions of the year and was dubbed as the “the world’s most relaxing song”.
According to Dr. Hodgson, “Brain imaging studies have shown that music works at a very deep level within the brain, stimulating not only those regions responsible for processing sound but also ones associated with emotions. In fact, Weightless was so effective, many women became drowsy and I would advise against driving while listening to the song because it could be dangerous.”
So take a deep breath, and just enjoy the music. Below is the list of songs highlighted by the researchers. The list includes songs from Coldplay, Adele and other artists.
- “Weightless,” by Marconi Union
- “Electra,” by Airstream
- “Mellomaniac (Chill Out Mix),” by DJ Shah
- “Watermark,” by Enya
- “Strawberry Swing,” by Coldplay
- “Please Don’t Go,” by Barcelona
- “Pure Shores,” by All Saints
- “Someone Like You,” by Adele
- “Canzonetta Sull’aria,” by Mozart
- “We Can Fly,” by Rue du Soleil (Café Del Mar)
Sources:
http://clark.com/health-health-care/this-one-song-can-reduce-anxiety-and-stress-by-65/
https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2016/11/this-song-is-scientifically-proven-to-reduce-anxiety-in-8-minutes/
https://www.healthline.com/health/stress/effects-on-body#3
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/music-and-health
Kuyawa na nimo bai oy hahaha!
atik2 ra na uie ahahahahah try something new ba
I do believe that music has some power in our minds. It doesn't just reduce anxiety. As a student, music has been my companion in times of studying. I once heard that music makes you relax and condition your mind to do something at your best. I may not be good at singing but listening to music is more enough for me.
Nice article by the way. ;)
Number 1 akong gina balon pirme go. Hahahahaha. Mka wangi pa gyud na basta mg higda ka tas mag meditate.
KAAYORNS!!
yeah brah!
I listened to music constantly in high school to help keep me sane. I'm glad there's research behind the phenomenon.
glad you read this one too mate!!!
It is crazy to think of how our environment has a impact on our health in ways that we often don't associate.
guess so broda.
Music is indeed a great reliever of stress and helps one calm the mind. But one should also make sure the music is soothing and meditative.
But in my personal experience Sudarshan Kriya taught in Art Of Living helped me a lot than any music could ever do.
Opting to read that book mate
Neuroscientists have discovered that certain types of music can reduce anxiety by up to 65%. This calming effect is achieved by slowing down the heart rate and lowering stress hormones. Incorporating relaxing music into your daily routine can be a simple yet effective way to manage anxiety. Just as people turn to other treatments for stress, such as exploring options like what is botox®? music provides a non-invasive solution. While Botox® is often associated with cosmetic uses, it also has potential benefits in treating chronic migraines and muscle tension.