Music and Feelings

Music and Feelings

Whenever we are in pain, be it psychological or physical, we often tend to drown it in waves 

of sound called music. I personally am known for wallowing in my sorrows while listening to 

euphoric music. It makes me feel better, but I often wonder if euphoric music is my only option?

According to recent research from psychologists at the universities of Kent and Limerick has found that music that is felt to be ‘sad' can help people feel better when they are feeling down. The results showed that if someone intended to make themselves feel better through listening to 'sad' music, they would often achieve this by first thinking about their situation or just to distract themselves, rather than feeling better by listening to the music chosen.

Unlike previously mentioned studies, the studies done by the Tokyo University of the Arts and the RIKEN Brain Science Institute show that sad music might actually evoke positive emotions. Music that is perceived as sad can actually induce romantic emotions as well as sad emotions. Emotions experienced by music do not cause any direct danger or harm, unlike the emotions experienced in everyday life. Therefore, it is even possible to enjoy unpleasant emotions like sadness. If people experience unpleasant emotions evoked through daily life, sad music might help them to mollify their negative emotions. In my own life I often experience the narrow line between romance and sadness, so I can imagine how 'sad' music could evoke positive emotions as well as negative ones.  

Other studies, as the one done by the University of California show that respondent’s preference for sad music was significantly higher when they had lost a personal relationship. People tend to seek and experience emotional companionship with music as a substitute for lost and troubled relationships. 

Although several studies seem to contradict each other, they show us that people can even use ‘sad’ music as a means to ease their suffering. It has shown me that it is possible to brighten up my day by listening to something completely different for a change. Every person deals with sadness in their own personal way and using music is one of them. Whether the music is sad or euphoric depends strongly on the way that you are going to deal with your emotions and differs from person to person. So if you do not mind, I am going to listen to some James Blunt. J