Everyone knows the importance of stress management. Although you can use as many tricks and strategies as you can to relax your nerves when things get tough at work, school, or in your personal life. But which one is the most effective? Well, listening to music has long been regarded as an effective way to relax the mind, as Hans Christian Andersen put it: “Where words fail, music speaks.” Music is also the reason why lullabies have been used to sing children to sleep for years. Music has also been found to be more soothing than a massage, a stroll, or a cup of tea, and is thought to improve one’s health too, as stress has been linked to heart disease, asthma, obesity, and even psychological problems like depression. We must deal with stress and anxiety in order to live a healthy lifestyle.
Then you might be wondering how to narrow down the most stress-relieving playlist? Don’t worry, we’ve put together a playlist of the top 10 most relaxing songs so you don’t have to. These songs would be a welcome addition to your repertoire, as well as a relaxing way to destress your mind or help you fall asleep faster. If you need a new set of speakers or headphones to listen to your stress relieving audio, make sure to check our deals page to get our latest deals.
1. Coldplay – “Strawberry Swing”
If you are feeling extremely stressed or depressed one day, try to listen to this song and it will really help you relax and massage your nerves with its light-hearted tone, soft instrumentals, and whispered vocals.
2. Marconi Union – “Weightless”
Scientists believe that the eight-minute song ‘Weightless’ is particularly effective at reducing stress and anxiety. They claim that listening to this song will lower your blood pressure, heart rate, and great at helping you relax, but it is not recommended that you listen to it while driving.
3. All Saints – “Pure Shores”
All Saints, an English-Canadian girl group, released the song “Pure Shores.” If you’re looking for a dreamy vibe to make you forget about your worries and stress, “Pure Shores” might just be the song for you. It has a very smooth sound and perfect for you to relax.
4. Airstream – “Electra”
“Electra” is a very soothing electronic chillout song with a tempo that corresponds to the optimal resting heart rate of 60 to 65 beats per minute. It includes guitar, piano, relaxed rhythm, as well as other elements that have been scientifically proven to induce relaxation.
5. Enya – “Watermark”
This is the song we recommend to you if you enjoy peaceful and calming music and also like Enya. It is gentle, soothing, relaxing, you can never go wrong with Enya.
6. DJ Shah – “Mellomaniac (Chill Out Mix)”
This song from DJ Shah’s Chill Out Mix is another of the world’s most soothing songs. It’s a song that can contribute to regulating our heart rate. Chillout mix indeed. Perfect for late-night relaxation.
7. Barcelona – “Please Don’t Go”
This song is based on a piano melody and it will probably recall the style of Radiohead or Coldplay because of its soft and whispered masculine voice. Its steady, placid chords and the content of its lyrics, on the other hand, may evoke either tear of sadness or previously unknown depths of sleep. It’s unquestionably another fantastic Barcelona hit.
8. Adele – “Someone Like You”
Adele also made the list with “Someone Like You”. Her voice is already incredible, and this song can help unwind your heart by weave the broken parts back together anew.
9. Rue du Soleil (Café Del Mar) – “We Can Fly”
Close your eyes and imagine yourself on a beach while listening to “We Can Fly”. Can you hear the waves crashing or feel the sand between your toes? This song will transport you to your happy spot. Just listen to this song, relax, unwind and enjoy.
10. Mozart – “Canzonetta Sull’aria”
“Canzonetta Sull’aria” the only classical song on the list, is regarded as classical music’s most relaxing composition. It is part of the well-known opera “The Marriage of Figaro”, and a two-feminine voice duet, which has been shown to improve brain wave activity, which helps with memory and problem-solving.
More calming songs to help you to relax:
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Christina Perry – A Thousand Years
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Mumford & sons – Believe
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Kings of Leon – Walls
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Ben Howard – Oats in the Water
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Foster the People – Pumped Up Kicks
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Tycho – A Walk
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Vance Joy – Riptide
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Radiohead – Karma Police
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Incubus – Drive
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Birdy – Skinny Love
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Tom Walker – Fly Away with Me
Here are 10 of the most relaxing songs in the world with the ability to reduce stress level by 65%, according to research conducted by British scientists.
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
Music has long been used as a means to relax and recover human health. For centuries, many cultures around the world have used music to uplift and even heal physical and psychological injuries.
Neuroscientists in the United Kingdom carried out research carefully to select the most effective melodies to reduce human stress.
In the research, scientists use sensors to constantly monitor volunteers who listen to music and solve puzzles. The puzzles will create a certain level of stress in the human brain and in that process, the volunteers hear through different songs. During the process, biological indicators such as heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, etc. are continuously recorded by scientists to evaluate the impact of music on stress levels.
According to Dr David Lewis-Hodgson, a member of the research team, below are the 10 most effective songs for mental relaxation ever tested. The study results show that just by hearing a Weightless song, the level of anxiety in volunteers is reduced by 65% while their normal biological indicators are in a relaxed condition of around 35%.
More notably, the researchers found that the relaxing effect of the songs originated from the fact that the songs were created to serve that purpose in the first place. Typically, the team collaborated with the music producer to create the song Weightless to be used as sound therapy. The melody, rhythm, … are carefully arranged to help slow down the heart rate, lower blood pressure and reduce the listener’s stress hormone levels.
Regarding stress and its negative impact on human health, stress will aggravate or increase the risk of heart disease, obesity, depression, digestive problems, asthma and more. Moreover, a recent study conducted by Harvard and Stanford University has shown that stress from work alone can cause a higher number of deaths than diabetes, Alzheimer’s or avian flu.
In order to have a healthy life, according to the researchers, the body and mind must have time to relax. Listening to music is a simple way to relieve stress in life and work. However, Dr David Lewis-Hodgson notes that although Weightless is effective at reducing stress, some women in the research said that they felt sleepy when listening to it. So we should avoid hearing while driving as it can be dangerous.
Music can have a profound effect on both the emotions and the body. Faster music can make you feel more alert and concentrate better. Upbeat music can make you feel more optimistic and positive about life. A slower tempo can quiet your mind and relax your muscles, making you feel soothed while releasing the stress of the day. Music is effective for relaxation and stress management.
Research confirms these personal experiences with music. 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. To induce sleep (a delta brainwave of 5 hertz), a person may need to devote at least 45 minutes, in a relaxed position, listening to calming music. Researchers at Stanford University have said that “listening to music seems to be able to change brain functioning to the same extent as medication.” They noted that music is something that almost anybody can access and makes it an easy stress reduction tool.
So what type of music reduces stress the best? A bit surprising is that Native American, Celtic, Indian stringed-instruments, drums, and flutes are very effective at relaxing the mind even when played moderately loud. Sounds of rain, thunder, and nature sounds may also be relaxing particularly when mixed with other music, such as light jazz, classical (the “largo” movement), and easy listening music. Since with music we are rarely told the beats per minute, how do you choose the relaxation music that is best for you? The answer partly rests with you: You must first like the music being played, and then it must relax you. You could start by simply exploring the music on this web page. Some may relax you, some may not. Forcing yourself to listen to relaxation music that irritates you can create tension, not reduce it. If that happens, try looking for alternatives on the internet or consult with Counseling Service staff for other musical suggestions. It is important to remember that quieting your mind does not mean you will automatically feel sleepy. It means your brain and body are relaxed, and with your new calm self, you can then function at your best in many activities.
Experiment now. Experience a “sound bath” and let the music carry you away
The links below each open relaxing musical selections in YouTube.
A Moment of Peace Meditation
Aneal & Bradfield, “Heaven and Earth Spirits” track from Life & Love). Lovely contemporary piano music with accompanying instruments and nature scenes.
Echoes of Time
C. Carlos Nakai from the Canyon Trilogy. Serene Native American flute music, with a picture of Nakai backlit by the sun at the Grand Canyon.
The Winding Path
Ken Kern from The Winding Path. Highly rated, beautiful piano music with accompanying instruments with pictures of exquisite flowers and plants.
Classical Indian Music for Healing and Relaxing
Gayatri Govindarajan, “Pure Deep Meditation” track. Lovely and rhythmic music played on the veena, the most ancient of the Indian plucked-instruments, with nature scenes.
Angels of Venice
Angels of Venice from Music for Harp, Flute and Cello. Classical with 3 instruments with nature pictures.
Earth Drum
“Spirit Vision,” (David & Steve Gordon. Serene and lovely contemporary Native American informed-drumming music utilizing Taos Log Drum and Incan Pan along with other instruments and ocean/forest nature scenes.
Buddha Spirit
Aneal & Bradfield from Light & Love. Reflective but strong contemporary music utilizing various instruments and occasional humming voices with colorful oscillating fractals
Spa Relaxing Music
Tranquil contemporary instrumental with piano and a fixed candle light.
Relaxation Music: 1-Hour Meditation Candle
Serene contemporary instrumental with piano and one flickering candle.
Sleep Deeply
Dan Gibson. Nature sounds and instrumental, tranquil sleep music.
Weightless
Marconi Union. The sounds on this video are carefully arranged harmonies, rhythms, and bass lines that help slow a listener’s heart rate, reduce blood pressure, and lower levels of the cortisol stress hormone.
