Music for anxiety (a brief review)

In the following guide, we will address the issue of music for anxiety, what it refers to and some concrete examples of it.

Music for anxiety

We’ve all felt at one time or another that we need an instant solution or remedy to calm down and stabilize our emotions, right?

One such alternative could be music, which, through different avenues, can be seen as a potential tool for providing calm, distraction and contentment.

When we talk about music for anxiety, we can refer to at least two aspects.

On the one hand, we may think of music that was exclusively designed to help people manage anxiety or, on the other hand, we may take any kind of music and use it for a particular purpose, and even if it was not designed for that purpose, it can help us to calm anxiety. Let’s explore a little of both. 

Music for anxiety: using a universal language? 

In the words of Harvard Professor Henry Wadsworth, “music is the universal language of mankind”, what do you think about this?

What could the professor be referring to?

According to a recent article in The Harvard Gazette, we can get an idea of what he was referring to, and at the same time reflect on the importance of music. 

Do you know any person who doesn’t like to listen to any kind of music?

Have you heard in any person the words “I don’t like music, none!

It is likely that the vast majority of answers, if not all, are a resounding NO.

For most people, music is very important, it is simply part of our lives and our most deeply rooted habits. 

Whether it’s for a party, a small gathering with friends, to “get you in the mood” in the morning, or to help you sleep, music is usually always there.

This is a handy list of the best sleep music for anxiety.

In addition, there is an incredible variety of rhythms and proposals that allow for a great diversity of interests that can be satisfied.

Almost anyone can find a particular type of music that gives them satisfaction, or several… even better! 

This being the case, we can start from the clear fact that the vast majority of people find music pleasant, enjoyable, and with which they can have a lot of fun.

There is something in all those sound waves that simply “clicks” with us. 

For that reason, it is not surprising that the topic of music for anxiety arises.

As we know, when it comes to treating mental illness or minor mental problems, a number of different alternatives have emerged, which seek to address the same phenomena from different perspectives and generate some input. In this case, music is no exception. 

Music for anxiety: how could that help me? 

Coming directly to the topic of music for anxiety, let’s reflect a little on the ways in which music can help us manage our emotions, and specifically anxiety. How do you think this works?

How does music come to generate well-being, even if we are very worried about some situation? 

Of course, we’re not going to say that it’s a magic bullet or that it unequivocally works in the management of anxiety.

We have to be realistic, so let’s explore some of its “mechanisms of action”. 

Music for anxiety: a direct link to our emotions?

Have you ever experienced that feeling that some song expresses very clearly what you are feeling?

Have you even repeated it several times until you are tired? Yes, it’s probably happened to many of us.

Perhaps in the lyrics of the song some word or phrase was right with great precision, perhaps one of the instruments, a simple sound… or the song as a whole. 

Something in that song makes us feel “in tune” with ourselves and what we are feeling at a given time.

For that reason, music is a unique opportunity to make a reading of our own inner states.

One of the key aspects of emotional regulation is to understand and name what we are feeling. 

“That song makes me feel sadder than I am”,  we say, when we have already made a reading of what is happening to us internally.

Having that opportunity to read what we are feeling is a first step in thinking about what to do about our state of mind. 

In fact, we can do the analysis in reverse. Have you ever heard someone say they want to hear a song to feel sad or to cry?

Yes, this is also possible and quite common, and the fact that it happens indicates that music has the ability to influence our emotional state. 

You should have a look at the list of Relaxing music for anxiety.

Slow and quiet music: music for anxiety

Now let’s talk about the particular case of classical music and its characteristics.

This type of music, and others like it, usually has the properties of being slow, quiet and with a great potential to calm us down. 

It is known that this type of music has the ability to relax our body, and with it our emotional reactions.

The specific benefits are on some of our most basic physiological functions.

It can help us to slow down our heart rate and pulse rate, lower our blood pressure and also lower our stress hormone levels. 

With the above, in a given situation, we can experience some relief and a decrease in stress.

With the above, we are likely to experience more peace of mind and less activation in general. It is like taking a small dose of a painkiller. 

In general, we know that for the regulation of anxiety, it is very useful to maintain balanced physiological activation levels.

Not too high, since they will also generate more restlessness in our internal experience. 

Music and sounds can stimulate the brain. If you’re open to trying out some binaural beats to get rid of fear and anxiety, try Best Binaural Beats for Anxiety.

Music for anxiety: music can take all our attention 

What happens at the cognitive level when the level of anxiety is very high when we are for example excessively worried?

What happens is that our attentional resources start to be consumed. What does this mean?

Most of our thoughts, memories, and imagination will be focused on what is worrying us, absorbing all the focus of our mind. 

Music has the ability to absorb our attention in a significant way, being something we can enjoy so much and that enters directly as a stimulus from the outside, it has the characteristic of taking attentional resources, and with this, we will be more distracted. Distraction is a very effective way to reduce anxiety. 

Let’s go back, music has the faculty to consume attentional resources, that is to say, to “steal” the focus that we have been dedicating to the worries and problems that overwhelm us.

That way, we can distract ourselves and obtain some tranquility.

In addition, when we stop worrying at least for a moment, we can abandon that feeling that we have to go over the problem situation again and again without stopping. 

Given the above, who wouldn’t like a little music to avoid for a while the worries that have been on our minds constantly?

Part of effective emotional regulation skills is taking action to balance our emotional state according to our goals. 

Music for anxiety: but I don’t want music! 

Even though we love music, if we are stressed or anxious we may actively choose to avoid listening to any kind of music, we think we need to be focused on the problem situation.

Under certain circumstances, such as a problem that requires a quick solution, staying focused may be the best option. 

However, there are many times when there is no urgency, and the only pressure we have is our own thoughts and concerns, so we might “undress” for a while from them and distract ourselves with some music. 

On the other hand, it is interesting to note that when the level of stress and emotional activation is lower, our productivity increases.

In other words, if what we want is to be productive and carry out our daily activities, listening to some music for a few minutes will be a very good alternative. 

To integrate more music in your life, try to play it in different moments and spaces of your daily routine.

For example, you can bring quiet or happy music with you when you go to take a bath.

You can also take some music with you when you go for a walk or walk the dog. 

If you have dogs with anxiety, you can buy them dog beds, they can find small, medium, large size, as well as pillows. You can also get sprays, aromatherapy supplies, anti-anxiety shirts, and other supplements that will keep your dog calm.

If your pet won’t calm down or you are going to travel, try buying a duty dog crave and a harness. Check the Best things to give dogs for anxiety and the 20 best dogs breeds, as well as Emotional support dog breeds.

That way, you’ll begin to integrate music into your life and, with it, the results it brings.

Your stress level will probably remain a little lower than normal since you are partially “under the influence” of the music.

After all, who doesn’t want some peace of mind? 

Side Note: I have tried and tested various products and services to help with my anxiety and depression. See my top recommendations here, as well as a full list of all products and services our team has tested for various mental health conditions and general wellness.

Conclusion

Music for anxiety is an opportunity to reflect on the properties that music has.

And since, in addition to enjoying it, we can get additional benefits from it for our mental health.

Whether through distraction, or connection with our emotional states, music has a positive effect on our well-being. 

Music for anxiety is an alternative that is available to everyone to improve a little mental health and find spaces for distraction and relaxation.

Music for anxiety is a unique opportunity to enjoy the rhythms that we like the most and at the same time get some peace of mind. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about music for anxiety

Recommended resources

1. Total Relax Music – Soft Chillout Relaxation Meditation Music for Deep Relaxation, Anxiety Relief & Mindfulness Meditation
2. Ultimate Chill Music for Deep Sleep – 20 Relaxing Tunes for Stress & Anxiety Free Nights of Complete Deep Sleep
3. Meditation Sounds for Anxiety Relief
4. Instrumental Lullabies

References

1. The Power of Music To Reduce Stress
2. Songs in the key of humanity
3. Meta‐analysis evaluating music interventions for anxiety and pain in surgery
4. Music, Health, and Wellbeing

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