What a year it's been so far, eh?
Almost like the universe said 2020? Hold my beer.
I'm not even sure I know how to tell if I'm stressed out anymore or if stressed is just a baseline personality trait at this point. I do know that music helps.
You too?! Look at us having stuff in common :)
We're not alone. Music has been studied and proven to help manage emotions, improve your mood, and even alleviate stress! Fancy that.
In a Harvard Health Medical School article, it's suggested that surgery patients were generally calmer pre and post-op when they listened to music. I'm not comparing the first week of 2021 to undergoing surgery, but I might be.
Let's get sciencey for a second...
"Current findings indicate that music around 60 beats per minute can cause the brain to synchronize with the beat causing alpha brainwaves (frequencies from 8-14 hertz or cycles per second). This alpha brainwave is what is present when we are relaxed and conscious. [...] Researchers at Stanford University have said that 'listening to music seems to be able to change brain functioning to the same extent as medication.'"
Read that again.
Music has the same effect as medication!!! That's huge.
Not surprising though...you know that feeling you get when you hear your favorite song come on? How do you feel?!
For me it depends on which of my favorite songs is on...
Dolly Parton '9 to 5' - a dance party classic, I'm on my feet, singing and dancing...
Lady Gaga 'Always Remember Us This Way' from A Star Is Born - crying, always, without fail...
I'm not sure about you, but I don't really feel like crying right now. I mean, I do, but I don't.
Really what I need are some good tunes to get me through the next couple of days. So that's just what I've done.
I've put together a five-song playlist to get us all through the first week of 2021. Enjoy :)
-Aly Mac