Seven Songs That Can Reduce Anxiety
We dare say that music has affected the state of mind of every single person in the world at least once. Today, several studies have shown that there is a relationship between music and emotions. Some songs can make us angry, sad or happy. Other songs can make us relax. A British neurologist has even claimed that certain songs have therapeutic properties and can reduce anxiety.
Dr. Lewis-Hodgson, in collaboration with the British laboratory Mindlab International, published a list of songs that can reduce anxiety by up to 65%. He put together this list after observing and monitoring the brains of 40 women while listening to music.
In addition, he monitored other bodily functions such as heart rate, blood pressure and respiratory rate. All the volunteer participants showed a more harmonious and relaxed state of mind after listening to the songs that can reduce anxiety.
Dr. Lewis-Hodgson compiled a list of seven songs that can reduce anxiety. Remember that these are not the only songs in the world that can achieve this effect. This neurologist simply used the songs that were popular at the time.
“Pure Shores” by All Saints
According to Lewis-Hodgson’s ranking, the song “Pure Shores” by All Saints ranks seventh among the songs that can reduce anxiety. The song’s lyrics are about relaxation.
Critics from around the world praised this song. The song uses double bass from the keyboard and also implements sounds made by dolphins in the background. In fact, several people believe that this is one of the best 20 songs of this century.
“Canzonetta Sull’aria” by Mozart and “Strawberry Swing” by Coldplay, two very different songs that can both reduce anxiety
“Canzonetta Sull’aria” by Mozart is a short duet that is part of the third act in the opera Figaro’s wedding. This song uses oboe, bassoon and strings. It has 62 compasses and was part of the soundtrack to the critically acclaimed 1994 film The Shawshank Redemption.
On the other hand, Coldplay’s “Strawberry Swing” has a special and enticing tribal influence. This song was officially released in 2009 and many critics gave it good reviews.
“Watermark” by Enya
“Watermark” is a seal from Enya’s first musical album. From the beginning, this song fascinated Warner Music UK producer Rod Dickins. As if he could predict what science would say in the future, he assured everyone that this song made him sleep better at night.
The voices used in “Watermark” were superimposed 200 times. As a consequence, Enya’s voice is mixed with hypnotic and memorable sounds. Magical and wonderful childhood memories were the main inspiration for this song.
Both “Mellomaniac (Chillout Mix)” by DJ Shad and “Electra” by Airstream can reduce anxiety
Roger Shah, also known as DJ Shah, created the song “Mellomaniac (Chillout Mix)”. DJ Shah is a German and Pakistani musician known for his electronic music compositions. “Mellomaniac” is definitely one of his greatest singles of all time.
Both “Mellomaniac (Chillout Mix)” by DJ Shah and “Electra” by Airstream are part of the group of songs that can reduce anxiety. The experiments performed at Mindlab show that they reduce heart rate by up to 27% and may even have analgesic effects on chronic pain.
“Weightless” by Marconi Union
Mindlab cataloged “Weightless” as the most relaxing song of 2011. According to research, this song is 11% more soothing than any other. Studies found that it reduced anxiety by up to 65%.
This is not surprising at all since Marconi Union deliberately took scientific theories into account to compose a relaxing song. This fact is actually certified by The British Academy of Sound Therapy.
We are sure that there are many other songs that can reduce anxiety. The things they have in common is a complex composition and that they largely lack repetitive patterns. As a result, the brain disconnects, since it is not possible to “predict” the next piece of the melody.
Music is a tool we can always turn to when we feel overwhelmed and need to calm down and relax.
