Does Listening your Favourite Music Reduce Stress?

Did you know that evoking happy memories can be quite an effective way to reduce your stress levels and boost your happiness levels?

A great way to evoke those memories is to play your favourite music.

When we listen to music, we tend to recall or associate events with this music. We remember where we were when the song was a hit. Maybe we remember a particular party, wedding or other events that bring back happy memories. Maybe we remember who we were with when we danced to the tune. Recalling happy events releases Serotonin (our happy neurochemical) in the body. This has the effect of improving our mood which makes us feel happier. Not only does it stimulate the release of Serotonin, but it also suppresses the release of the stress chemical cortisol, in the body. This will help reduce those feelings of stress overwhelm and allow us to feel calmer.

Another great way to get a similar result is to look back on old photographs of happy events in your life. Again, when we look at the photographs, it allows us to recall where we were when the photographs were taken and who we were with. This again will stimulate the release of Serotonin reducing stress levels and allowing the body to feel calmer.

Introducing a daily gratitude practice is another great way to stimulate the release of Serotonin in the body. The gratitude practise is best done first thing in the morning to get your day off to a great start.

How do I implement a daily gratitude practice?

Before you get out of bed in the morning;

Take 3 deep abdominal breaths, relaxing your body as much as you can.

Think of something/someone in your life that you are truly grateful for. Hold that thought, expand it and visualise it.

Allow it to sink deeply into your mind and hold the visualisation for one minute.

Now think of something else that you are grateful for. Again visualise.

Repeat for a third time.

The more we express gratitude for what we have, the more we attract into our lives.

The added benefit is that it also releases Serotonin into the body.

Releasing Serotonin in times of stress is instrumental in keeping the Neurochemistry in the body balanced. When we have high levels of Cortisol, the body can be in a prolonged fight or flight reaction causing muscle tension, lack of concentration, low mood, low productivity and ultimately it can adversely affect our health so why not make a special effort to get that Serotonin flowing.

Pump up the volume to reduce your stress levels

So, when you are feeling a little stressed this evening and the to-do list for tomorrow is growing, clear some space on your kitchen/office floor, put on your favourite music and dance it out! Dancing to the music will increase the effect as exercise is also a powerful way to suppress the release of Cortisol and reduce those feelings of stress and overwhelm.

I’m showing my age now but the Oasis album ‘What’s the story morning Glory’ evokes, for me, fantastic memories of rock n roll in the ’90s. Playing it never fails to get those happy chemicals going.

What album would you choose?

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