| Tilt your head back. Close your eyes. Relax...
Your heart rate starts to slow down, then your breathing and brain activity slow to such an extent that Weightless, written by Manchester band Marconi Union, is considered to be 'the most relaxing song in the world'.
The eight-minute track is so effective at inducing sleep, motorists have now been warned they should not listen to it whilst driving. You can find more fantastic musical works at the British Academy of Sound Therapy.
The band worked with sound therapists to get advice on how to make the most effective use of harmonies, rhythms and bass lines. The result on listeners is a slowing of the heart rate, reduced blood pressure and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
Scientists played the song to 40 women and found it to be more effective at helping them relax than songs by Enya, Mozart and Coldplay, all considered as very relaxing musicians.
The study found the song was even more relaxing than a massage, a walk or a cup of tea. (More information below) |
As part of the study, the women were connected to sensors and given challenging puzzles to complete against the clock in order to induce a level of stress.
They were then played different songs as their heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and brain activity were recorded. Studies found Weightless was 11% more relaxing than any other song and even made many of the women 'drowsy' in the lab.
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It induced a 65% reduction in overall anxiety and brought them to a level 35% lower than their usual resting rates. The song features guitar, piano and electronic samples of natural soundscapes and it is pierced throughout by buddhist-like chants that induce a trance-like state.
Lyz Cooper, founder of the British Academy of Sound Therapy, said Marconi Union used scientific theory to make the 'perfect relaxation music.'
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| And if this isn't enough, here are the top 10 songs to relax to: |
Tuesday 23 June 2015
The Most Relaxing Music in the World.
