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Ever find yourself searching for lofi songs on YouTube and browsing for piano playlists on Spotify? You’re not the only one. Music has a way of reducing stress and dealing with tough times, so it’s no wonder that science has confirmed, more than once, that music can help your mental health.
It can reduce feelings of social isolation, act as a therapeutic release, increase feelings of connectedness, and elevate your mood to protect you from mental distress.
But what songs are best when you’re feeling the blues? A team of researchers at Sussex University, U.K., headed by Dr. David Lewis of the Mindlab conducted a study that involved 16 relaxing songs to find which one had the most massage-like effect. They measured the listeners’ heart rate, breathing, and overall stress levels and found that these songs worked best at destressing and relaxing the listeners:
- “Weightless” - Macaroni Union
- “Electra” - airstream
- “Mellomaniac (Chill Out Mix)”- DJ Shah
- “Watermark” - Enya
- “Strawberry Swing” - Coldplay
- “Please Don’t Go” - Barcelona
- “Pure Shores” - All Saints
- Someone Like You” - Adele
- “Canzonetta Sull’aria” - Mozart
- “We Can Fly” - Cafe Del Mar
- “All I Need” - Air
- “Nine Million” Bicylces - Katie Melua
- “Undress Me Now” - Morcheba
- “Porcelain” - Moby
- “Treaddrop” - Massive Attack
- “Upside Down” - Jack Johnson
- “Saeglopur” - Sigur Ros
The top song, “Weightless” was actually commissioned by a spa, and it works so well at relaxing you because its slow beat encourages your own heartbeat to slow down.
Take a listen below:
If ever you’re in a rage, overstressed, or overworked, listen to this scientifically proven playlist with the best songs to chill you out and boost your mental health:
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