Many believe that listening to sad music makes them feel even worse, but this may not always be true.
Sad music can provide psychological benefits by modulating mood. It allows you to disengage from distressing situations and focus on something beautiful outside of them.
WUSF researchers tested this theory in a 2015 study published in Emotion and found, just like before, that depressed participants tend to prefer sad instrumental music clips over happy ones.
1. It’s a distraction
People living with depression may find the world too overwhelming, and to escape these negative emotions they often turn to music that speaks directly to them in order to distract from what may be causing pain and focus on positive aspects of life. Listening to sad music may provide some much-needed relief and allow individuals who may otherwise struggle with depression to focus more easily on positive elements in their life.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that listening to music does not replace seeking professional treatment for mental health conditions. A study published by Emotion in 2019 demonstrated this point by finding if someone were depressed, simply listening to upbeat songs would not make them feel better; doctors advise in such instances finding a therapist in order to receive proper help with depression treatment.
Researchers who conducted that initial study decided to further explore why people with depression seemed to enjoy listening to sad music. First, they gave participants clips from different types of songs and asked them how they felt after each track played; eventually they noticed that those suffering depression consistently preferred sad instrumental pieces as opposed to anything else offered as choices.
Researchers found that participants who enjoyed sad music reported feeling significantly happier after listening to melancholy tracks than before listening, likely due to these songs triggering release of dopamine, the neurotransmitter linked with pleasure and rewards.
Researchers noted that their depressed participants ranked themselves as less anxious after listening to sad instrumental music, possibly because this genre’s slow and soothing tunes provide more relief than faster-paced pop tunes that often tend to be more upbeat and stimulating.
Another reason that participants of this study reported feeling better after listening to sad instrumental music may have been related to their tendency toward empathy. Conversely, individuals who tend towards negative thinking were found to rate themselves negatively after listening to this sad music; likely because it can trigger negative emotions and bring back painful memories.
2. It’s a distraction from reality
People struggling with depression tend to prefer sad music over healthy individuals, leading some to speculate that depressed individuals use it as an outlet to maintain their low states. However, according to research published in Emotion, depressed people do not use sad music to maintain an uncomfortable or negative state – they find its soothing nature comforting and enjoyable instead.
Researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine neural activity related to individual song choices, asking depressed individuals why they preferred certain songs and finding that many chose sad music because it made them feel better; in comparison, those without depression reported enjoying happier music as it enhanced their mood.
Listening to sad music provides an outlet for emotions such as grief, sadness and loneliness – an escape from reality which, for some people, can be therapeutic.
While crying to Iron and Wine or Adele may provide temporary comfort and mood stabilization, those suffering from depression must understand that using such music as an outlet may worsen depressed moods further or even lead to further episodes. Overdoing it could even increase chances of depression further down the line.
Listening to sad music can also help establish emotional connections with others. Studies have found that regular listeners of sad music tend to be more empathic; perhaps because sadness and grief can be infectious emotions that cause others to express support and empathy in return.
At its core, people living with depression appreciate sad music because it gives them a sense of connection with those around them and reminds them they’re not alone. A good cry can help ease stress during difficult times, or simply remind someone they need help and can offer comfort from being isolated from society.
3. It’s a distraction from thoughts
Studies show that sad music can help listeners cope with emotions, strengthen connections between listeners, and provide an enjoyable distraction. Furthermore, sad music serves as an expression of self-expression which provides comfort when people feel isolated or distant from one another.
Studies have demonstrated the power of music to boost mood. While upbeat tunes may increase feelings of happiness and positivity, sad music seems particularly effective at alleviating sadness as its unique emotional response causes your brain to mirror feelings of sorrow in real life.
When we experience negative emotions, they’re triggered to release a chemical called prolactin which helps with grieving process and can reduce our grief levels. As a result, they experience feelings of both sorrow and joy which is sometimes unexpectedly pleasant.
A study published in Emotion reaffirmed a previous finding that depressed people prefer sad music. For the initial phase, 38 female undergrads diagnosed with depression and 38 non-depressed ones were asked to select 30-second clips of classical music from two genres – happy (“Infernal Gallop”) or sad (“Adagio for Strings and Rakavot” by Samuel Barber or Rakavot by Avi Balili). Each clip was then ranked according to how it made them feel after listening.
Researchers found that while high ruminators (people prone to dwelling on negative thoughts) ranked sad music lower, they still chose it after the experiment compared with participants without these tendencies. Furthermore, these participants ranked happy music higher suggesting those listening to sad music weren’t intentionally trying to maintain low moods but found something pleasurable about listening – calming or even upliftiing effects may exist for these listeners; nevertheless it would always be wiser for you to seek advice from a mental health professional regarding any symptoms of depression that you might experience.
4. It’s a distraction from feelings
Depression patients often turn to sad music as a means of disengaging from their feelings and finding comfort from others who may understand. Sad songs with meaningful lyrics that resonate with listeners allow them to express emotions they might otherwise find it hard to articulate; whether talking about a breakup, death or another painful experience this type of music can provide much-needed therapy while providing comfort that others understand their pain.
One study indicates that listening to sad music can stimulate production of dopamine, the neurotransmitter which produces feelings of pleasure and reward, providing relief from depression symptoms themselves. Researchers conducting the study caution that too much sad music might actually worsen an individual’s state.
Researchers at the University of South Florida conducted a 2015 study with 76 female undergraduates listening to clips of classical music. After listening, participants were asked to rate how each track affected them; results revealed that, unlike male participants with depression, female participants with depression favored sad music over happier options; the reason behind their choice remained unknown until researchers conducted further surveys with participants about why they selected it as they did.
They found that empathy was one of the primary drivers behind why these tracks resonated so much for women listeners of sad music, who could relate to its emotions and desired to feel understood by someone listening. From heartbreaking opera pieces like La Traviata by Puccini or Taylor Swift’s breakup ballads by Swift – to connecting with themselves during times of reflection or solitude through sad music listening sessions – empathy was at play here too, with women who enjoyed listening to sad music finding comfort from its connection and release through it – something many depressed individuals find comfort from through listening to sad songs! Listeners found relief through listening to sad songs as this provided an emotional release; thus many depressed individuals find relief simply listening to sad music can provide relief through listening alone – this phenomenon accounts for why so many find relief simply listening to sad tracks!