LISTEN: This song will apparently reduce your anxiety by 65%

This is doing the rounds online again; undoubtedly due to the pandemic and the anxiety that has surfaced around that. It’s true that music can soothe your soul and researchers discovered that one helps more than others

Yes, neuroscientists out of the UK have specified which tunes help to reduce stress levels – and one came out on top.

The study was conducted on participants who attempted to solve difficult puzzles as quickly as possible while connected to sensors. The puzzles induced a certain level of stress, and participants listened to different songs while researchers measured brain activity as well as physiological states that included heart rate, blood pressure and rate of breathing.

According to Dr. David Lewis-Hodgson of Mindlab International, who conducted the research, the top song produced a greater state of relaxation than any other music tested to date.

In fact, listening to one song, Weightless by Marconi Union, resulted in a striking 65 per cent reduction in participants’ overall anxiety, and a 35 per cent reduction in their usual physiological resting rates.

It turns out this isn’t accidental; the song was actually constructed to do so. The group did so in collaboration with sound therapists and 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.

“Weightless was so effective, many women became drowsy and I would advise against driving while listening to the song because it could be dangerous,” explained Dr. David Lewis-Hodgson.

So, does it work? Well, have a listen below and see for yourself. It should relax you enough before you hit the hay, at any rate:

Main photograph: Pexels

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