What makes music so special is that it is a worldwide way of communicating, with abilities to control our emotions and mood. It can act as soothing ointment for the soul, relieving anxieties and easing grief, and when our sense of well-being is threatened by emotional pain. Nevertheless, music is not always beneficial. Some music can in fact be detrimental to mental health, and worsen feelings of anxiety, depression and stress. The music-well-being association is intricate, and the particular type of music can even make negative emotions worse, increase anxiety levels or contribute to your mental malaise.
Lush Sound helps explain the science behind what factors, genres, lyrics or tempos best align with flexing our mental gears. High tempo, melodic songs usually make you feel better and give energy, while slow or depressing tunes create sadness and reflection. An example is hopeful and empowering lyrics that can uplift and inspire, whereas those that depict despairing and hopeless themes may further exacerbate those emotions of hopelessness.
In addition, the rhythm of music equally affects our psychological loci. Upbeat rhythms can excite and stimulate, while slow-tempo music can relax and lo-Cal or on the downside induce lethargy (with ‘blues type music’ this has been scientifically proven!) Appreciating these subtleties is increasingly important if we want to make educated decisions about the music we listen to, particularly with respect to our mental well-being.
We should all be extra careful of the music we listen to, know how it can impact our emotions and mental health. To help you stay balanced, I have a list of types of music that it might be wise to never, or rarely listen to for the sake of your mental health.
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1. Aggressive and Violent Music
More importantly, the aggressive and violent lyrics or tones in music can affect mental health intensively. Genres such as hardcore rap, heavy metal and some types of punk are body genres that often evoke anger, violence and hostility. While genres like this can offer a release for the built-up emotions someone is holding in, they will also let feelings of anger and anxiousness grow, as these are the most prevalent takeaways from listening to hours of aggressive music.
Studies have shown that listening to an angry song raises causative levels of animosity and reduces empathy. This only makes individuals, who may already be stressed or are at risk of angry outbursts, to become even more agitated. This is where you have to be real and balance the mix with some fast, aggressive tunes with some nice calm/positive music otherwise you are off on your way down a bad path.
We also cannot forget the psychological effect of it, as again that is not simply to how we react in an impartial system. This will cause an individual to become more stressed out and feel that the world is out to get them after long exposure to hostile, aggressive music. In turn, the American Psychological Association has admitted that violent media material will desensitize people to physical violence, and can in theory make harmful behavior seem natural.
For listeners it is also important to remember the emotions that some specific type of music can provoke. Some fans of heavy metal or hardcore rap may argue that the music is a form of catharsis – an outlet, where one can vent his bad feelings and move on empowered or relieved- but as in all things – moderation is key – keep from consuming too much negativity at once. Reducing one’s intake of aggressive, and violent music could help your mental health.
So in short, as good of a stress reliever that aggressive and violent music can be for some people, you have to remember the dangers there may be with other consequences mentally. Knowing that these genres can trigger heavy responses in our emotions and stress, we have more data to make sound decisions on the music we listen to, which will benefit us for mental health means.
2. Depressing and Sad Music
Music accompanies our lives in ways we could never imagine, as a pathway to solace and empathy, creativity and connection. But consuming songs with messages simulating sadness, melancholy or depression on a regular basis can end up generating negative feelings unknowingly.
And while certain spaces within the genres (i.e., blues, some indies, and many a slow ballad) frequently muse over heartbreak and loss and sorrow like they were something we checked out from the library on repentance or betrayal, etc— sadness appears nowhere near as often as you’d think—a startling existential void never leaves our side, something true to your core. Although these genres do a good job of allowing emotional expression, they also create a feedback loop that can make feelings of sadness, loneliness and depression even worse.
For example, blues music is known for documenting the hardships of life and telling stories from a perspective of strife or adversity. As comforting as that might be, too much of these themes can reaffirm those feelings. Likewise, indie rock often opens up to a more realistic look at life’s darker sides and takes on themes of existential despair and emotional distress. Most often types of slow ballads find their own place through somber melodies and touching lyrics, expressing lost love or an unaccomplished yearning that only adds sadness to the initial complicated emotional status.
Such an oppressive record can gradually wear down a listener’s mood, creating (and continually reinforcing) a horrible emotional vacuum that spirals along as that feedback loop goes on and on. If a person is already feeling sad or depressed, listening to music that expresses those same feelings can reinforce the emotions and give them the fuel they may need to spiral downward into a more severe state of emotional torment. It is due to the fact that the brain tends to vibrate at the same emotion contained in that music, and it can be very hard for you to escape from a negative mental state.
The best way a person can avoid flooding all their senses with gloom and desponk, is to sprinkle in some smiles or nothingness throughout the tune of music settings. Adding in genres of a more positive nature e.g. pop, upbeat rock, or even instrumental can provide some contrast to the raw emotional experience that helps keep the listener engaged.
One must also remember his mood and select music that can help in either getting him happy or keeping him stable. Using music of different tones and tempos mindfully can help people enjoy the emotional payoff from music without suffering from its (potential) emotional hangover.
3. Super Loud and Annoying Music
Music treated excessively tend to cause stress, irritability and difficulty in the focus. Its LOUD>>>>FAST TEMPO music with loud bass or heavy beats can give sensory overload and avoid relax or concentrate. Sources of noise pollution, such as loud music, have been shown to raise stress levels and harm physical health. In order to save your mental health, it’s important to pay attention to how much music you listen and in what environment. Use more soft and calm sounds for focusing or relaxing.
4. Hidden Stress of High-Energy Beats and Overly Stimulating Music
Although music is typically celebrated for its ability to uplift and energize, not all high-energy tunes actually benefit mental wellbeing. If the music is too stimulating, like tunes with very fast tempos and unrelenting beats that are simply high energy, it can become a bit much for many and cause overstimulation which in turn will create anxiety. Some electric beats and EDM, fast pop songs or different types of techno in particular can lead to sensory overload, especially for people who already are anxious or under constant stress.
Tinnitus is one of the most common complaints among EDM fans, and it is hardly surprising as listening to driving techno can have an extreme physiological impact. Fast tempos and relentless rhythms raise heart rate and alertness to a counter-productive level; conversely, slowing down the pace can be beneficial for both relaxation and general mental health.
This type of music has the ability to elicit a fight-or-flight response for some, which is why it tends to cause anxiety and stress. A sensory overload is when the brain is overwhelmed through being unable to process too much high energy sound that is going in constantly.
Especially important is realizing how you respond to high-energy music. OR It may feel inspiring and driving to some while it may increase anxiety, stress for others. While listening to such music it is important not to overdo anything and listen to the body as well. People who tend to develop overstimulation easily could consider listening to a few quieter music genres because too much of that and the circuits can pretty much shut down. This can assist in reducing the harmful impacts that come with overstimulation and achieve a healthier mental state.
Music oscillates a dual face when it comes to mental health. It would actually be really good if listeners should begin observing what kind of music changes their mood as well as the level of stress. Understanding how this might be the case — as in so many areas of my life, I have to stay mindful and focused on my mental health…perhaps too much so, but here we are.) means that making informed choices regarding what music is recorded readily supports better mental health and psychological wellness.
5. Music Containing a Negative or Destructive Message
Music reflecting negative, problematic and toxic content can heavily impact the mental well-being of many. Songs that glorify vices including music making champions of fast life, bad body imagery or toxic beliefs do play a role in feelings of insufficiency and simply contribute to the negative thought process. This music spans many genres from pop, rock, hip-hop to electronic music.
Mind the Lyrics, choose positive and healthy music and take note of how various songs impact the way you feel. If there is a song, band or artist that always brings you down, quit listening to them.
6. Looping and Boring Tunes
Excessive musical repetition or monotony can even produce boredom in the listener. While some may find a repeated set of chords or melody line calming and meditative, there is always the possibility that too much time spent hearing the same choruses again and again can cause boredom and mental inactivity.
For example, some electronic dance music (EDM) genres or minimalist compositions may lie into this range. Although useful for distinct events, regular music can be ineffective if used as an anchor. Switching out those beats for some more lively tunes can keep the mind active and interested.
7. Music Tied to Bad Memories
The right music will stick a specific memory and emotion to you. If you connect certain songs to negative experiences or trauma, those past memories and feelings may come rushing back. You might feel distraught, anxious, or sad hearing these songs.
Steer clear of tracks that bring back not-so great memories. Instead, better spend your time curating playlists that remind you of the good old days or beautiful moments in life, thus promoting a more uplifting and supporting mood for your mental health.
8. Music That Creates a World of One’s Own
It is a bit normal to turn to escapism in music but excessive dependence on escapist-music might affect the mental health of a person. Psychedelic rock, trance, and many types of ambient music are almost all kind of intended to be dissociative — they help us retreat from and not have to deal with the real world.
Listening to music can provide temporary escapism from your problems, but this will not get you anywhere because if one does not work on the issues they are facing twenty-four hours later, they will do so twenty-four years later. Make sure to balance any day dream-induced haze fixated on getting found again music with some grounding in the here and now.
9. Rhythms : music that are way too intricate and fast paced
While complex, fast-paced rhythms can spark energy and excitement in all the right ways, they can also lead to overstimulation …and stress if listened for long periods. These include the progressive metal, some types of jazz and technical death metal that have fast pattern elements or complex rhythms which are mentally hard to process.
Although this type of album can be funnier to listen to, more intellectually rewarding, it is one of those albums that you should not over-listen. They are easier on the ear, and help to prevent mental fatigue and stress making them more obvious soundtracks for task-two.
How to make a playlist that is kind to your mental health
Making a mental health care playlist starts with understanding the effect that music of all kinds has on your state of mind and general well-being. Tips for curating a mental health-friendly playlist
- Mix It Up: For some variety and interest, it is beneficial to mix calming, uplifting and dynamic tracks.
- When listening to lyrics: Listen to the words in the songs you hear. Pick tunes with uplifting, encouraging messages.
- Tailor Your Surroundings: Listen in your environment to the scenario that you locate most appropriate for this music genre. Choose relaxing tunes for relaxation or songs that make you work out like crazy.
- Pay Attention to Your Reactions: Observe how different songs affect your mood and change up your playlist accordingly. What songs do you listen to that puts you in a bad mood all of the time?
- Themed Playlists: Make playlists suitable for different times of the day, like a Chill playlist to chill out or an Empowerment playlist meant to inspire you.
Conclusion
Music remains a strong mental health booster but one must be selective about the genre of music they consume. Listening to music which is loud, aggressive or overly sorrowful, repetitive or just sending really bad messages that could do more damage than good. We can use music to treat anxiety and help better our general well-being by carefully choosing tunes that raise, stir or calm the soul.
Remember, the key is balance. I mean it’s okay to listen to all types of music, but just recognize what it does mentally for you! Take care in crafting your playlists and allow this beautiful form of art to do you some good.
