Adding Music to your Daily Routine to Alleviate Stress

Intertwining music into your daily routine is a simple way to help reduce stress in your life. Helpguide.org gives several ways to incorporate music into everyday situations that can be used to reduce your stress.

You can implement music starting first thing in the morning. Waking up to an alarm clock that is blaring a horrendous beeping sound can be a rude awakening! Try waking up to a familiar song that you enjoy.  You could create an entire morning playlist to get yourself in the right mindset to start your day.  To go the extra mile and really increase the positive effects of music, it is time to start singing.  Who knew that singing in the shower could actually be helpful?  “Singing is one of the best ways to shift the vibrations of our thoughts and the very cells of our body, helping slow and regulate breathing and promote relaxation.” When choosing your music, be mindful that the songs suit and benefit your mood, inspiring you or helping you to relax.  While doing this pay attention to how you feel when singing and after to help keep in mind the songs that lift your spirits the most.

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Active listening is also a technique that can be used to reduce stress. Do this by taking your time to enjoy the music of your choice.  Often times music is the background noise while you are busy engaging in various activities.  Active listening is the opposite.  This is when you focus on the music and the lyrics of the song and let the rest of the world fade away.  Take the time to close your eyes, slow your breathing and focus on the song clearing your mind of all other distractions.

There are many more ways to integrate music in to your life listed on Helpguide.org. Check it out!

What songs do you use to decompress and relieve some stress?