Discover the Power of Music on Stress
Music can sooth the mind, lower stress, and help you feel like yourself again.
Life can be overwhelming – deadlines, relationships and pressure to stay “on.” But what if your next deep breath wasn’t found in silence but in sound? This week, MellowMind will be exploring how music can help manage stress by lowering cortisol levels and shift your mind into a calm and balanced state.
The Science: Music and Cortisol
Cortisol is the body’s stress hormone, which is helpful in emergencies, however can be exhausting when it is high too long. Chronic stress can lead to:
- Sleep issues
- Mood swings
- Muscle tension
- Trouble focusing
Listening to calming music can reduce cortisol levels, and slow heart rate. One study published in Frontiers in Psychology- ‘How is music listening purpose related to stress recovery,’ found that relaxing music can lower cortisol levels significantly within just 30 minutes, especially when combined with mindful breathing.
Which Genres are Most the Effective for Stress Relief?
Listen to slow tempo, soft dynamics and low-frequency tones to relax the mind and body
- Ambient & nature sound that are soft- Background music
- Classical music with slower compositions
- Lo-fi with relaxing tunes- Great for focus
- Instrumental or Minimal lyrics- Ideal for stress relief
This Week’s Playlist: Stress Relief
MellowMind wants to share this playlist of ambient sounds and soft instruments with gentle beats to help you relax and breathy