Stress Busters

Top Ten Songs Judged to Reduce Anxiety

Scientists Found One Song That Reduces Anxiety And Stress By Up To 65%

By Mark Pygas

The positive effects that music can have on our brains are well documented, as are the negative effects that stress and anxiety can have. That's why Dr. David Lewis-Hodgson of Mindlab International, decided to conduct research to find the songs that you should be listening to when stressed and anxious.

The study was conducted on participants who were attempting to solve difficult puzzles as quickly as possible. The puzzles were designed to induce stress, and participants were made to listen to a variety of songs to see how they helped calm down heart rate, blood pressure, and rate of breathing.

One song — Weightless by Marconi Union — reduced levels of stress and anxiety by a massive 65% and produced such a state of euphoria that Lewis-Hodgson advised against listening to it while driving because it made some participants drowsy. 

The top ten in reverse order:

10. "We Can Fly," by Rue du Soleil (Café Del Mar)

9. "Canzonetta Sull'aria," by Mozart

8. "Someone Like You," by Adele

7. "Pure Shores," by All Saints

6. "Please Don't Go," by Barcelona

5. "Strawberry Swing," by Coldplay

4. "Watermark," by Enya

3. "Mellomaniac (Chill Out Mix)," by DJ Shah

2. "Electra," by Airstream

1. "Weightless," by Marconi Union

I made a public playlist.

Goal: Stress Control

Stress Control

Life is a balancing act. When we lose perspective, the strain of stress shows in our behavior, emotions and physical well being.

Stress control means "to decrease the effects of strain by stopping the stress response process during its early stages." To effectively do this, we must become aware of the signs of stress, the sources of stress, as well as to be able to access any readily available resources to counter or buffer the consequences of stress.

Goals:

• Recognize key emotional, physical, behavioral and interpersonal signs of stress
• Understand how the costly distress cycle impacts all aspects of life
• Understand the cumulative long term effects of stress and strain
• Recognize subtle sources of stress
• Know how to develop and access resources to counter and buffer strain
• Develop additional critical resources for acute stress relief
• Develop and use effective coping methods for acute stress relief
• Understand the stress response process and how to effectively intervene at each step
• Use early warning signs to prevent the strain from stress from becoming severe
• Utilize multiple methods to successfully cope with acute stress

Resources:

• Stress and Strain Awareness Survey
• Stress Response Process
• Distress Cycle
• Effects of Stress and Strain
• Stressors in the Work Place
• Stress Control Factors
• Coping
• Effective Stress Control And Coping Strategies