When you’re not unwinding with me and my shows, turn to music to chill. Spotify just released its list of most relaxing songs based on 76,000 tracks. Find out if your favorites made the list and learn how to use music to re-tune your mood.
Ed Sheeran has the chillest fans …
… when it comes to relaxing tunes, the redheaded crooner snagged two of the top five spots:
- “Perfect” – Ed Sheeran.
- “Thinking Out Loud” – Ed Sheeran.
- “All of Me” – John Legend.
- “Say You Won’t Let Go” — James Arthur.
- “Tum Se Hi” – Pritam.
Let’s get nerdy
So what’s the science behind relaxing music? Research shows that music with a low pitch and a slow tempo (around 50 to 60 beats per minute) takes us right to the zen zone. Why? Because our brainwaves actually sync to the slowed-down rhythm of the tunes. Wild, right?
Music keeps depression, anxiety and even physical pain at bay. It also takes the edge off in high-stress situations like surgery. One study revealed patients who listened to relaxing tunes during their procedure had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
Groove to your advantage
In addition to using music to chill out and unwind, you can hack your mood, productivity and sleep.
- Trigger feel-good hormones: We get a rush of dopamine from our favorite jams. To get the most significant mood boost, switch up your playlist. Adding new tunes gives your brain a buzz.
- Listen before you snooze: Research shows 45 minutes of music before bed gets you a better night’s sleep.
- Boost productivity: Studies revealed that music with 50 to 80 bpm can enhance creativity and learning. Check out this playlist!
Want to add more tunes to your library? Head to one of these free media sites.