If you analyze the interactive chart showing the most popular songs on music charts in 22 countries on five continents in the last decade, you’ll see that in some countries people tend to listen to more relaxing music. For example, music lovers in South Africa, the UK, and Portugal have chosen music with the lowest average energy score (maximum value is 100): 58/100, 61/100, and also 61/100, respectively. Furthermore, Portugal has the slowest tempo in its No. 1 songs at just 104 BPM (beats per minute).
As for individual tracks, even the lowest in the energy of those on the 22 charts, Ed Sheeran’s “I See Fire” (5/100) managed to top one chart – the Swedish chart – for as many as eight weeks.
So are people in some countries more relaxed based not only on lifestyle but the music they listen to?
Better Concentration
A specific type of music can help you concentrate better. Instrumental music is what allows people the most to relax and focus. Instead of 20 to 25 minutes, listening to this music, people can have full concentration for nearly an hour and a half. Many studies have shown that this music has a positive effect on mood.
We have all been affected by music. Whether it causes you to relax and unwind, become emotions and reflective, or just feel energized, so you get up and dance, music has a massive part in changing and affecting our moods, with that, it can also help you find focus.
Improves the Quality of Sleep
A gentle lullaby or ballad can help you fall asleep but can also help you sleep better. Some studies, albeit a small number, have shown that people who listen to light music as they are falling asleep or during the night spend up to 30 % more time in a deep sleep. And this is precisely the phase of sleep when memories are “imprinted” in the brain. It’s essential in this sense that music has low tones because they “encourage the brain to slow down”.
Low Frequencies for Pain
Music acts on the same neural networks as painkillers and stimulates the brain to produce natural opioids on its own. Thus, for example, patients who listened to music during operations needed one third less morphine than those who didn’t. Some research has even shown that people are less anxious and less afraid of pain in this condition.
While this may not be proven time and time again, we do know the power that music holds.
Improves Memory
There are lots of fun ways to improve your memory. Playing games, doing a regular crossword puzzle and listening to music are all some of them. It happens that, for example, people who are in advanced stages of dementia still remember songs from childhood and can play instruments they learned in childhood, even if they can’t recognize members of their closest family. High tones are the ones that have a good effect on memory, and it’s best to listen to music for half an hour to an hour.
There’s a reason we remember every fire alarm and amber alert.
Eliminates Stress
Listening to soothing music can lower blood pressure, slow down the heart, and alleviate anxiety, as well as to improve mood. Soothing music helps unconscious patients. It hasn’t been determined accurately which music best relieves stress, but all studies were conducted with slower, classical music.
Playing music is another very effective way to relieve stress. If you can’t play an instrument then start with the piano, you can find lessons at the URL: https://www.learnviolinlessons.net/piano-lessons/. Playing the piano, even simple chord progressions puts you into a tranquil zone and away from stressful thoughts.
So the next time you go to press play, think about what mood you’d like to be in, what you’re looking to get out of your listening experience and maybe how music can help you.
What will you add to your playlist?
Tips to find new music for your playlists
Listening to music offers a raft of benefits for your mental health, but what happens if you’ve run out of tracks and you’re bored of listening to the same playlists over and over again? The good news is that it is easier than ever before to discover new music, explore new artists and find inspiration for soothing, calming playlists. If you’re keen to download music, read articles about the best torrenting sites and take advantage of platforms and channels that offer personalized recommendations based on the artists or songs you like. You can also get ideas from listening to the radio or joining online forums or social media groups.
