Raindrops hitting various surfaces – from pavement to leaves to metal – create a rhythm that’s soothing and regular. This melody has often been compared to music.
Just as rain affects our mood and behavior, sad music has the power to lift us out of our troubles. While some find it incredibly comforting, others simply cannot stand the sound.
Rain
Rain is an integral part of nature, yet it also has the potential to affect people’s emotions. For some, hearing raindrops hitting pavement and other surfaces serves as a reminder of lost love, missed chances, and unfulfilled dreams; while for others it’s an innately soothing sound that helps them release stress and feel relaxed and at ease.
Rain can evoke music, making you feel relaxed and at peace. Similarly, the sound of raindrops falling on trees or leaves may remind you of a particular song that made you sad or happy.
Rain may have a beneficial effect on the atmosphere, but some researchers believe it has an adverse effect on our emotions. According to Science magazine, nine percent of people dislike rain because it leaves them feeling drained, fatigued and downtrodden.
While certain weather conditions can have an effect on one’s mood, depression is typically caused by more than just one factor. Depressive feelings often stem from a combination of factors like lack of sunlight or an illness.
If you suspect you might be suffering from seasonal depression, such as SAD or winter depression, consult a doctor for diagnosis. Signs include low mood, irritability, feelings of guilt and difficulty concentrating.
Other causes of low moods and depression may include sedentary lifestyles or chronic stress. A 2020 review linked people who spent much time sitting on the couch to an increased likelihood of experiencing depression.
If you tend to stay indoors when the rain pours down, try doing more things that will lift your spirits. Try light therapy, get enough sleep and fuel your body with nutritious foods for an energetic start to each day.
If you’re struggling with persistent feelings of sadness or depression when it rains, therapists can be an excellent source of support. Berrett emphasizes the importance of connecting with a therapist when your low mood starts interfering with daily tasks or relationships. A nearby therapist may be especially beneficial since they will likely better understand your experience and the challenges you face.
Water
If you’ve ever listened to sad music, you know it can be an emotional experience. However, did you also know it could also be calming?
Recently, a study explored whether listening to sad music can improve one’s mood. Comparing participants who were given music to listen to with those given nothing at all, researchers discovered that those who listened to sad music experienced improved moods and more positive emotions.
In addition to improving mood, people who listened to sad music also increased their levels of the neuropeptide serotonin, which is associated with feelings of happiness and contentment.
Additionally, researchers discovered that people who listened to sad music experienced higher levels of prolactin–a hormone produced in response to grief, sadness and other emotional distresses–which can help reduce stress and ease pain. Prolactin has a variety of psychological effects such as tranquility, calmness, consolation and assurance.
Another interesting finding was that people who listened to sad music performed better on brain-wave tests than those who didn’t. This study used a beta-2 and gamma-band scan to examine the coherence network of the brain, an important structure for processing emotional information.
This scan revealed that people who listened to sad music had more connections in both beta-2 and gamma bands than those without. This pattern was especially prominent in the parietal and occipital regions of the brain.
These findings are encouraging, yet more research needs to be done in order to fully comprehend the intricate relationship between emotional and biological factors that can contribute to an appreciation of sad music. Doing so could result in improved treatments for those suffering from mood disorders as well as inform existing music therapy practices.
The best way to appreciate sad music is to listen when you’re not feeling particularly down. Unfortunately, listening on a regular basis may lead to rumination – an undesirable phenomenon. Fortunately, there are ways of avoiding this such as exercise and meditation.
Music
Music is an essential element of human life and often used to express emotion. Unfortunately, people may struggle with dealing with unpleasant feelings such as sadness or grief.
Children and adolescents in particular often experience this. This may be due to strained peer relations or difficult family circumstances. In such cases, listening to sad music may serve as an unhelpful strategy that only serves to compound feelings of sorrow and depression.
For those experiencing negative feelings, music has the potential to provide comfort and help them cope. Studies have demonstrated that sad music can elicit positive responses such as nostalgia, serenity and tenderness in listeners.
Another reason sad music can be enjoyable is because it activates dopamine, the brain’s “feel-good” hormone. Dopamine has been known to induce temporary euphoria and long-lasting joy.
Many people have discovered that sad music can be an effective way to distract themselves from negative thoughts and a depressed state of mind. This is because it is so emotionally evocative, allowing listeners to experience the feeling and emotion the song aims to convey.
Experience these feelings can be a powerful way to purge one’s mind of negative thinking, known as catharsis. This is an essential aspect of healing, helping one move on in a positive light after suffering through painful or negative experiences.
Sad music not only causes an emotional response, but it can also be pleasurable due to its ability to promote homeostasis in the body. Feelings serve as a mechanism for homeostatic regulation – maintaining internal conditions at an optimum physiological state that supports optimal functioning and wellbeing (Habibi and Damasio, 2014).
Music can be an effective tool for encouraging homeostasis, as it stimulates the same regions that process other stimuli that promote it – such as food, sleep and sexual activity. This makes sense since music has long been used to induce and sustain feelings of wellbeing in both body and mind.
Noise
Humans are highly sensitive to sound and can pick up on even the tiniest noise, such as mosquito wings wailing or laptop battery beeping. But if you’re searching for a peaceful night’s sleep or an enjoyable work environment, noise may not be your top priority.
A survey of several hundred people in the know revealed that some people actually perform better with low or no sound levels. Some even make a point of turning down the volume on our smartphones and other devices to enhance quality of life. But for others, multi-tasking and other noises can take away from what should be the best of both worlds – a restful night’s sleep and an inviting office environment.
The great thing about noise pollution is that it can be controlled – as long as it’s the appropriate type. Starting at home is the ideal place to begin; if you want to improve your environment for the better, here are some tips and tricks on how to tame the beast.