What are the the best relaxing songs ? Neuroscience research group "MindLab International" are in the business of finding out why we react the way we do to certain stimuli. A recent research project of theirs was the compilation of the world's top 10 most relaxing songs. The study was commissioned by a British manufacturer of spa and relaxation products so there was a big commercial intent aiming at the viral video market behind all this.
Anyway, what is most pleasing about the findings is that topping the list is one of my favorite bands - Manchester's Marconi Union with the most relaxing song ever.
Carefully arranged harmonies, rhythms and bass lines help to slow the heart rate, reduce blood pressure and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Marconi Union worked with sound therapists to create the best of the relaxing song, which also slows breathing and reduces brain activity. Researchers played the song to 40 women and found it to be more effective at helping them relax than songs by Enya, Mozart and Coldplay . I never found those three that relaxing anyway. If anything, listening to Coldplay usually induced stress ! Studies found Marconi Union's tune "Weightless" was approximately 11% more relaxing than any other song and even made many of the women "drowsy" in the lab.
Dr David Lewis-Hodgson, from Mindlab International, said: "The results clearly show that the track induced the greatest relaxation - higher than any of the other music tested.
"Brain imaging studies have shown that music works at a very deep level within the brain, stimulating not only those regions responsible for processing sound but also ones associated with emotions.
"In fact, Weightless was so effective, many women became drowsy and I would advise against driving while listening to the song because it could be dangerous."
Richard Talbot, from Marconi Union, said: "It was fascinating working with a therapist to learn how and why certain sounds affect people's mood.
"I always knew the power of music but we have previously written using gut feeling."
Here are the top ten most relaxing songs that came about as a result of the research conducted by Mindlab. Click on the track to follow a YouTube link to each song. There are some decidedly pop flavored tunes here. It would be interesting to know what the team's exact listening pool was in the first place but I guess we'll never know. Now keep in mind this a list made by scientists, not necessarily lovers of modern electronic chill music ( they include the most relaxing classical music in the list ) so keep an open mind here.
1. Marconi Union - Weightless
2. Airstream - Electra
3. DJ Shah - Mellomaniac (Chill Out Mix)
4. Enya - Watermark
5. Coldplay - Strawberry Swing
6. Barcelona - Please Don't Go
7. All Saints - Pure Shores 8
8. Adele - Someone Like You
9. Mozart - Canzonetta Sull'aria
10. Cafe Del Mar - We Can Fly
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