The one song that can give you maximum relaxation, according to scientists
Yes, you read it right—neuroscientists in the UK have found a song that can reduce your anxiety by over 65%. Researchers at Mindlab International conducted an experiment on participants who tried to solve complex puzzles as fast as possible while listening to different songs. The puzzles created a level of stress, which they measured on the basis of brain activity, heart rate, blood pressure, and rate of breathing. The researchers then recorded which tracks gave the most relaxation. The song that topped their list is "Weightless" by Marconi Union, a song that was in fact created in collaboration with sound therapists for this exact purpose.
Here is the rest of Mindlab's list of top 10 songs for max relaxation:
10. "We Can Fly," by Rue du Soleil (Café Del Mar)
9. "Canzonetta Sull'aria," by Mozart
8. "Someone Like You," by Adele
7. "Pure Shores," by All Saints
6. "Please Don't Go," by Barcelona
5. "Strawberry Swing," by Coldplay
4. "Watermark," by Enya
3. "Mellomaniac (Chill Out Mix)," by DJ Shah
2. "Electra," by Airstream
According to Inc.com, "Its carefully arranged harmonies, rhythms, and bass lines help slow a listener's heart rate, reduce blood pressure and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol." Stress is a major health risk that can aggravate or raise the chances of heart disease, obesity, depression, gastrointestinal problem, asthma, and much more. A study conducted by Harvard and Stanfard in 2015 found that health issues rising from job-related stress causes more deaths than diabetes, Alzheimer's and influenza.
And if 8 minutes of pure relaxation don't cut it for you, YouTube has a 10-hour version of Weightless.
Word of advice: don't listen to this playlist while driving. Dr. David Lewis-Hodgson from Mindlab says, "'Weightless' was so effective, many women became drowsy and I would advise against driving while listening to the song because it could be dangerous."
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