Do you feel as if nothing is working out in your favour, and all you need is a ray of light to calm your nerves? Ready to feel hopeful and determined to win in life?
Songs have the power to change your emotions or fuel them in a powerful way. Ever wondered why, when you’re happy and a nice song with amazing beats plays, you instantly get happier and start tapping and swaying? Similarly, when you’re upset over something and you put on some slow, melancholic music, do you end up crying a little? Music totally gets you.
What’s the science behind Music and Emotions?
The science behind music and emotions is indeed very groovy.
So, let me explain in a very simple way.
Picture this: You are at a wild music festival. There is trance music playing at maximum volume. Suddenly, you’ll find yourself with an extra dose of energy, jumping and swaying with the music. Your brain gets the message from the music, which says, “Dance like there is no tomorrow.”
Now picture this : You are sitting with your parents on a nice, cosy balcony. You feel happy and blessed about being with them, laughing with them, and making memories with them. A touch of nice 70s music will only add to the happiness and take your parents down a nostalgic lane. I’m sure all the dads would sway and sing, and all your brain would say, “Hey, I love this warmth; get up and sing and dance with your dad”.
The same goes when you listen to love songs, religious songs, or even sad songs. There is a purpose behind each one of them. When you listen to music, our brains activate in a way that releases hormones. The fun part is that the brain knows if it needs to release a happy hormone or a sad one. The brain associates music with emotion and responds accordingly. And it’s not just limited to the lyrics. Rhythm, beats, and tempo play an equally important role.
For the Days when you feel Hope is lost
There are days in all our lives when we feel lost and bereft of hope. Days when you feel like everything is gone and there is nothing left. Days when you’re filled with so much heaviness in your chest and so much pain in your heart that it becomes difficult to hold back your tears. Firstly, it’s okay to feel these emotions. Secondly, there is always a way out, and there is happiness waiting for you. That’s what I like to believe, and so should you.
These songs will serve like a cup of warm tea (or coffee) on a cold, wintery night or feel like a tightest ever hug from an old friend. They’ll uplift you and make you feel motivated. Their message to the brain would be, “Hang on, darling. Hang on a little more. Because there is sunshine at the end of the tunnel, and you deserve so much more”.
Here’s a little treat for your anxious souls :
1. FEAR IS NOT MY FUTURE
Kirk Franklin & Maverick City Music
If you’re ready for a breakthrough, yeah
Just open up and just receive, hey
‘Cause what He’s pouring out is nothing
You’ve ever seen
2. BAD LIFE
Sigrid
And the weight of your own heart is too much to bear
Well, I know that you’re afraid things will always be this way
It’s just a bad day, not a bad life
3. HAVEN’T SEEN IT YET
Danny Gokey
Waiting on the other side of the darkest night
Don’t ever lose hope, hold on and believe
Maybe you just haven’t seen it, just haven’t seen it yet
You’re closer than you think you are
Only moments from the break of dawn
All His promises are just up ahead
Maybe you just haven’t seen it, just haven’t seen it yet
4. BLESSINGS
Laura Story
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
5. LET EM GO
Matt Hansen
To know you miss the sun
Sometimes you need the pain
To know it isn’t love
Sometimes the one you hold
You gotta let ’em go, you gotta let ’em go
6. SOME DAYS
Brent Morgan
Some days I question, “Why would God create me?”
Some days I’m holding strong
Some days I’m barely hanging on
Some days, some days, some days
7. LIKE YOU
Tatiana Manaois
You are worth beyond the thousand reasons why
And you can’t be perfect, baby
‘Cause nobody’s perfect, darling
But, no, no, no, there’s nobody in the world like you
8. STAY STRONG
Danny Gokey
My hope might be shaken but my faith will never break
Because I know the day is coming when You’ll right all of the wrong
So I’ll praise You in the waiting and my faith will stay strong
9. GONNA BE OKAY
Brent Morgan
Afraid to be right, ashamed to be wrong
If no one told you it’s all gonna be okay
Those people always keeping up to keep you down
Stop looking for a reason just to keep ’em around
I know they never told you it’s all gonna be okay
10. BROKEN & BEAUTIFUL
Kelly Clarkson
Don’t fix me, don’t try to change a thing
Can someone just know me?
‘Cause underneath, I’m broken and it’s beautiful
11. LIVE MORE & LOVE MORE
Cat Burns
Don’t let your head stop your heart from moving
If there’s someone you wanna talk to, talk to ’em
Who knows who we’d be if we just
Live more and love more
We all just need to live more and love more
12. NEVER GIVE UP
Sia
Called to the sea but she abandoned me
But I won’t never give up, no, never give up, no, no
No, I won’t never give up, no, never give up, no, no
13. OK (Anxiety Anthem)
Mabel
It’s okay if you feel the pain
Don’t gotta wipe your tears away
Tomorrow’s another day
It’s okay not to be okay
It’s fine, you’re allowed to break
As long as you know, as long as you know
Everything’s gonna be okay
When you are down and low, just hit the playlist on Youtube or Spotify. Let the beats, music, lyrics everything engulf you in a warm hug and give you hope and strength. Remember, you are not alone. Music is indeed a best friend.
LISTEN ON SPOTIFY : Ray of Hope by FBB
ALSO READ : UNLOCK A HAPPIER YOU: A BEGINNERS GUIDE TO MEDITATION