Can Your Playlist Help You Heal?
You know that moment when your favorite song comes on and suddenly the traffic jam, spilled coffee and endless to-do list all melt away - even if only for a few minutes? That’s not magic (although it feels like it); it’s your brain on music.
In recent years, science has begun catching up with what music lovers have known all along - the right playlist can do more than just improve your mood - it may actually help you heal.
Those Healing Frequencies
Let’s start with stress, that modern-day villain lurking in inboxes and group texts everywhere. Listening to calming music - especially slow tempos with minimal lyrics - has been shown to lower cortisol levels, slow the heart rate and reduce blood pressure. In fact, researchers have found that certain sound frequencies, like 432 Hz and 528 Hz (dubbed “healing frequencies”), may promote relaxation and even cellular repair.
One study in the Journal of Advanced Nursing showed that patients who listened to 30 minutes of music experienced significantly lower stress and anxiety levels compared to those who didn’t. Who knew Enya and a pair of earbuds could rival a Xanax?
Feel Good Music
Beyond stress relief, music activates the parasympathetic nervous system - the one that tells your body, “Hey, it’s safe now, you can chill.” It also triggers the release of dopamine, the “feel good” neurotransmitter responsible for everything from euphoria to motivation.
That’s why your favorite nostalgic track can lift your spirits or why instrumental spa music somehow makes folding laundry feel like a sacred ritual (well . . . almost).
Sound Therapy
And let’s not forget sound therapy - an ancient healing practice now getting a 21st-century revival. Think singing bowls, binaural beats or even nature sounds woven into meditation music. These aren’t just for yogis or wellness influencers.
Studies suggest these frequencies can entrain your brainwaves, shifting you from stressed-out beta waves to calm-inducing alpha or theta waves.
Translation: they help your brain shift gears from panic mode to peaceful flow.
The Mind-Body Connection
So, can your playlist help you heal?
It might not replace a doctor, but it can definitely support the mind-body connection. The next time you’re frazzled, anxious or just need to feel like a human again, try hitting play on something soothing. It’s free, side-effect free and, unlike your group chat, won’t interrupt you mid-meditation.
Bonus points if you listen surrounded by your favorite herbs, tea in hand and maybe a garden breeze.
