A lot of people listen or play music to relax themselves. Why does music serve to relax us? How does it work? I will plainly explain the very basic mechanism of music therapy, and introduce you three easy-to-use websites that will help you find the best music for you to listen to (or play, if you can and want to) when you need relaxation.
How music works to relax us
Have you ever had moments when you felt that the music you were listening to was actually ‘listening to you’, or ‘talking to you’? How did you feel? I suppose you must have felt comforted, especially when you had stuffed certain emotions. Anger and sadness can be exceptionally challenging to express because in our society; it is considered sort of a ‘taboo’ to express them (Boyd, 2008). Some people are even afraid of those emotions themselves.
- On the emotional level
Listening or playing music that matches your current mood helps you reach the desired mood state by either helping you release it or altering it. When you cannot express your emotions effectively or appropriately, they build up inside you and your emotional balance goes off. Music that suits your mood helps you release it. When you are frustrated, you might choose to listen to heavy metal.
Also, sometimes, you want to choose music that represents the mood you want to reach. When you are depressed, you might want to listen to happy, upbeat songs in order to feel ‘better’. When you are angry, you might want to listen to quiet songs without lyrics in order to feel calm.
The problem is that you cannot be sure of which of the above you need at the moment when you have stuffed your emotions because these scenarios are opposite of each other. You need to figure out if you want the music to release your tension or if you want to feel differently.
- On the physical level
Slow, quiet music can slow us down. Researches show that our bodies tend to match their functions to the dominant stimuli in the environment. So, if you are listening to a fast, upbeat song, your heartbeat and breathing will be faster.
If you want to feel alert, sharp and energetic, you might want to listen to fast songs. If you want to slow down, slow music will be your choice.
Websites that help you choose music
Mashable.com introduces five websites that help you find music that suits your mood. I have decided to list three of them which I think are easy to use. You can use these website to find music either that represents your mood or helps you reach the desired mood state.
1. Musicovery
Musicovery is a colorful, fun-to-look-at website with several adjustable options that helps you find good music for your mood.
2. AUPEO
AUPEO lets you create playlists, so you can ‘store’ your favorite music pieces that you can listen to according to your mood at the moment.
3. Stereomood
Stereomood is an easy-to-use website that lets you shuffle the music you like.
References:
- Boyd, Mary Ann, Psychiatric nursing: contemporary practice, 2008, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, p. 819
- Shea, John, Balancing Emotions, Retrieved on November 23, 2011
- Soundscape Music Therapy, Choosing Music: Why It Works for Relaxation, Retrieved on November 23, 2011
- Soundscape Music Therapy, Five Tips for Choosing Music to Help Your Body Relax, retrieved on November 23, 2011
- Mashable.com, 5 Great Ways To Find Music That Suits Your Mood, retrieved on November 23, 2011
Mariko Siegert - Striving for accuracy and excellence. Got feedback? Please email: marikosiegert@gmail.com.
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