And I Feel Alive: Stress Relief and Music!

So I'm going to start with the most basic stress relief technique I know.

Music.

See, I think we all know this works. I mean, we all love it for a reason. Honestly, have you ever met someone that is like "Oh, I hate all music"? I doubt it, but if you have, let me know! But like I was saying, we all know it works. I just think we forget, or maybe over analyze it.

When I think "Stress Relief Music," I instantly think yoga music. The kind of music that's on those cd samples in Walmart, where you put on the head phones and can choose between "Ocean Sounds" and some weird Mexican music. So instantly when I thought "I should write about music for stress relief!" I also thought, "Ugh but who wants to buy THAT kind of music?"

So I vetoed the idea and started thinking of other ways to relieve stress that I could write about. But while I did this, I turned on some music and began to feel better about my week.

Maybe that was just because it's finally the weekend (!!!) but I'm going to say it was completely the music.

I then began to look up music as a stress reliever and founds TONS of different articles of how to use music as stress relief. And I was actually not surprised to find I already do so many of them! And I'm sure you probably do, too!

So what are you probably already doing right?

Did your alarm go off this morning and play a local radio station? Or your favorite playlist on your phone?

If so, keep that up.

Even better: keep the music on the entire time you're getting ready!

This can wake you up in an energizing way, and if it's music that you like, this could set the entire tone for the rest of your day, thus creating a less stress induce environment.

Did you have music playing in the car on your way to work or school or the store this morning?

If so, keep that up.

Having your favorite music on in the car has been proven to lower road rage by taking your mind off of the commute or that long list of things you have to get done in the day. It gives you "me" time and allows you to let go for a few moments. Then when you arrive at your destination, your mind is much more free and capable of handling everything coming your way!

There are many other ways to use music as a stress relief that you are probably already doing! If you want some more ideas or want to see what else you might be doing, check out this website. It's a pretty good basic indicator of what music can do!

Did you know that any type of music can work as a stress reliever, just as long as YOU like it?

I think we so often get caught up in the ideas of stress relief music being calm and mellow and quiet... So no wonder we don't use it as often as we probably should! That type of music may not work for you. Think about it, if you're a person that loves heavy, screamo type of music, then why on earth would calming sounds of an ocean with a harp playing be relaxing to you? Maybe it is, but it won't always be that way! If the idea of listening to music like that makes you cringe inside, then DON'T listen to it! Simple! That will not at all alleviate stress, if anything if could just make it worse. Listen to the type of music that you would on a normal day, just sitting in your room on the internet. That's the type of music your body loves, and your body will relax to it.

However, there's something you might want to keep in mind.

It is strongly recommended that the beat of the song be slower.

This doesn't exactly mean quiet, but if you want to use a few songs for stress relief, it is suggested that you keep the beat slower than your At Rest Heart Rate. That way you don't run the risk of speeding up your pulse and thus not being able to relax like you might want to!

My favorite Idea.

A music bath.

Now, seriously, how fabulous does that sound?

It's not talking a literal bath.

Although taking a bath with music is a pretty good way to relax as well.

But this idea is seriously talking about a bath in music.

The idea is to rest in a comfortable position. Laying down, sitting, fetal position, whatever. And then turning on your favorite music, and then letting it take over.

Don't think of anything else. (Maybe turn off your phone... Just an idea!)

And for 20 minutes, let the music wash your mind and heart and let it be the only thing you can even think of. Let go off every thought, every thing that made you stressed earlier, you can think of those things later. For these 20 minutes, it's only about the music.

Try it out!

I promise it's amazing.

Once a week I will be posting my favorite songs that helped me relax through the week!

I change music quite a lot. Sometimes I need something super upbeat to relax me, and other times, like this week, I need something super slow and calm to relax me. I usually change it up though. So once a week, probably at the end of the week, Saturdays maybe, I will be posting my favorite relaxing songs for the week alone or along with another post! We will see! But look for it! Who knows, maybe you'll find something great! Or maybe you'll hate my taste in music, who knows!

And if you have any music you think I should check out, link me to it, I'll try out anything!