Life Hack: Power of the Playlist

MUSIC is the  new medicine

SO one of the good things about millennials is our love of music. It’s something that almost all of us bond over and have an opinion on. With such diversity now and ease of access, music is very much a part of our identities. It’s something that a lot of us already use in our daily lives and if you don’t you should because it’s something you can use to your benefit.

We know music can influence our mood but why and how?

As someone who is a little bit of a control freak (can already hear my sister laughing at the “little” but hey bub, it runs in the fam so 😛) I like to know in the simplest of scientific ways how and why…I’m no Einstein but after the past few years I have learnt the best way to help yourself is to do your own research.

Hormones in Harmony…🙏

Listening to our favourite music/upbeat music decreases our cortisol (stress hormone) and increases our dopamine (Pleasure hormone (same one released when eating chocolate) = HAPPY 😊

For this reason alone it can help with ADHD and depression as these are associated with having lower levels of dopamine (which is also the motivation hormone as its involved in the reward system in our brain. When we complete a task it gives us that rush of satisfaction.). And obviously with the decrease in cortisol it can help anxiety.

Attention💥 (salute! – this is what you get for living with a Little mix fan for 12 years…)

We have 2 types of attention the conscious (one we can control to focus on tasks)  and the unconscious (one we have no control over – like when you are trying to revise and suddenly become annoyingly aware of someone slurping tea (not naming anyone…*dad)). The unconscious is more concerned with emotional functions and feelings.

Both normally work simultaneously against each other. However if you give the unconscious some background music to listen to, (a positive song, an upbeat tempo. Nothing too jarring or distracting, possibly with minimal speaking) it actually gives your flitty, unconscious attention something to focus on. Aiding your conscious attention, allowing it to stay more on task.

One study demonstrated this with surgeons. It showed that surgeons doing operations with background music of their choice were less stressed, faster and more accurate in their surgeries compared to those without.

Let’s Pick up the Beat…💛

Sometimes the last thing I want to do is exercise in any form when I am feeling low. This is very unlike me. I am a person who loves morning runs (Something I never thought I would say), walking my dog and yoga (Don’t worry. I am not going all “Eat, Pray, Love” on you but never underestimate a good stretch).

I know that it is on these low days it’s even more important for me to get moving, before Netflix and blanket burrito becomes a lifestyle.

This is where the power of the playlist comes in. It’s not just a psychological effect. It’s been shown that music battles fatigue and using this fast paced music can increase your heart rate. According to”Live Strong” (https://www.livestrong.com/article/444188-beats-per-minute-music-tracks-for-exercise/) the ideal workout music for a run would be 145 – 160 beats per minute.

The exercise then releases the endorphins and endorphins are happy hormones. So first step to coming out of burrito? Done.

Musical Meditation: ☯

It makes sense then that on the opposite end of the spectrum when you are feeling overwhelmed and anxious listening to slower paced music can help lower your heart rate.

In 2011 a study on 40 women listened to as song called “Weightless” by Marconi Union who worked alongside sound therapists to create the song that would help reduce levels of cortisol, blood pressure and heart rate.  They found a 65% reduction in the participants overall anxiety after listening to this song. The song has a 60bpm that slowly decreased to 50bpm and it was found that as this rhythm decreased, the women’s heart rates declined with it.

Finally…

Let it go, Let it go…(Sorry I ran out of creativity, Frozen is the best I got…) ❄

I used to just straight off listen to the opposite type of music to what I was feeling. Like in most aspects of my life, my approach was if I ignore it it will go away (an approach that earlier this year had me at A&E in the middle of the night with a severe infection. So yeah, you could say I have finally learnt that this is not always the healthiest coping mechanism 😂). You can’t always fake it till you make it.

When my sister is sad she watches the Notebook. She cries throughout the whole thing, froggy face and all (sorry squbble but I am trying to keep it real…:P It’s a beautiful froggy face if that makes it any better 🐸).

This never used to make sense to me. Why she would want to watch something that would make her cry when she is ALREADY sad? However I have learnt that it’s a cathartic release of emotion. A bit like dogs (we could learn a lot from them and you will if you become a regular reader). When they haven’t had enough exercise, they can become quite destructive. Similarly my sister’s cry is that release of pent up emotion. She gets it out and then she can start to feel better.

From her I learnt to apply this to my music choices. I now match my music to my current mood but only for one song, THEN go to an upbeat, positive or calmer song. This means you don’t just simply ignore the emotion/feeling. You have acknowledged it and respected it but not enough to wallow.

Of course everyone is different and I am no doctor or musical therapist. This is simply what I have found works for me but hopefully, just maybe it could work for you to.

Thank you for reading 😊

If you have any song suggestions feel free to recommend below I am always looking for new music.

Tasha and Mino x