Music is a well-loved expression of art. Artists capture the emotions we feel, going beyond words, and allowing vibrations, sounds, and the blending of instruments to guide us into an inspired world of our choosing. On any given day, we might look for music to boost our energy level, calm our heightened anxiety, or soothe our interrupted sleep.
When paired with mindfulness, music has three key perks: it elevates your mind, connects you with your inner peace, and improves your health. Music is a form of communication and a great resource for you to understand your inner thoughts, emotions, and feelings. Not to mention, it can be used as a tool to release the negative energy building within you.
When the demands of life come on a little too strong, use these 3 types of playlists to improve your mindfulness.
1. Restoration, Here I Come
We are busy people in need of a little slow down. Every yogi or spa enthusiast will tell you that music playing in the background is soft, peaceful, and relaxing. The gentle sounds of nature or synthetic blend of instruments is used to create a tranquil atmosphere. You can create the same blissful sounds wherever you are. Choose tracks that speak to your soul. Feel the vibrations. Focus on what you are hearing and block out the noise around you. Concentrate your thoughts. If you find yourself drifting, gently bring yourself back and be mindful of the restoration your body craves.
Get Your Meredith Gray On
The on-screen doctor reminds us that there are times in life when nothing else can be done, you simply have to dance it out. Dance out your frustration, dance away your blues, dance for joy and happiness, and dance to celebrate. Not only is dancing an excellent form of exercise, it is also an incredible celebration of one’s self. Through dance, you can experience self-release, self-expression, and yes, a love of one’s own self. So find a batch of songs that brings you to your feet and don’t stop moving. Focus on the songs you choose. Music trips our memories so choose songs that won’t only make you shake your groove thing, but also take you to a happy place.
Sleepytown, Are You Out There?
Everyone wishes for a good night’s sleep. Unfortunately, there are a host of reasons why that doesn’t always happen in adulthood. However, science has proven that songs beginning with 60 bpm (that’s beats per minute) and slowing to 50bpm help listeners relax. Why? Because the beats per minute in the songs match our heart rate when we fall asleep. So, on the nights when your to-do list keeps growing at a rapid pace, or counting sheep doesn’t stop the worry and fear racing through your mind, turn on a playlist custom designed to send you to sleepytown. Focus on the music and not on all of your other worries.
For more suggestions on how to incorporate mindfulness into your daily life, contact us!