Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMorning RoutineCommutingCooking and EatingRunning ErrandsChoresWorking or StudyingExercisingBedtime
Table of ContentsView All
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Table of Contents
Morning Routine
Commuting
Cooking and Eating
Running Errands
Chores
Working or Studying
Exercising
Bedtime
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At a GlanceMusic is a tool you can use to manage stress in your daily life. Try putting on some tunes while you’re doing chores, studying, or commuting to work.
At a Glance
Music is a tool you can use to manage stress in your daily life. Try putting on some tunes while you’re doing chores, studying, or commuting to work.
Music can have a powerful effect on the health of our minds and bodies.Music therapyis a formal way to use the healing power of music, but you can also listen to music torelieve stresson your own.
One of the benefits of using music to cope with stress is that it’s easy to fit into your schedule. Your favorite tunes can be a soothing soundtrack to your life and make your daily activities more enjoyable.
Here are some examples of when to listen to music to relieve stress, lift your mood, and improve your focus.
While You’re Getting Ready in the Morning
Your morning routinesets the tone for the rest of your day. Putting on some music while you shower, get dressed, and make breakfast can help you ease into your schedule.
Classical or instrumental music can help you get into a calm, focused mindset if you have a busy day ahead. If you got up on the wrong side of the bed, putting on some upbeat pop tunes can boost your mood.
While You’re Commuting
Playing music on your way to work can be as simple as putting the radio on or creating a playlist on your phone or MP3 player.
Having music that keeps you feeling calm can also help if you’re prone toroad rage. For example, listening to your favorite songs while you’re driving can relieve tension if you’re stuck in traffic.
Having the chance to listen to some good music can also help you feel like you’re fitting in some “me-time” before you get to work.
If your usual playlist is a little too stimulating on a stressful morning, try switching to some classical music or instrumental soundtracks to quiet your racing mind.
While You’re Cooking and Eating
Nutritionis a key factor in making sure your body is prepared to handle the ups and downs of life.Cooking meals at homecan be a great way to make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need while also saving money.
That said, preparing meals at home takes time and energy. At the end of a long day, the thought of having to make dinner might be more stressful than rewarding.
Putting on some smooth jazz or another easy-listening genre of music can make cooking meals feel more like a fun activity than a dull chore.
Keeping a pleasant soundtrack on while you’re eating can reduce stress during your meal. Soothing music triggers arelaxation response, which can lower levels of the stress hormonecortisolin your body.
Studies have also shown that listening to classical music during meals may help you avoid overeating, enjoy your food more, and improve digestion.
While You’re Running Errands
Going to the grocery store, picking up the kids from afterschool activities, and doing all the other things on your to-do list can be a hassle that leaves you feel haggard.
If running around nonstop is making your heart race, try putting on some music that you find peaceful.
While You’re Doing Chores
Keeping your home clean and organized canhelp lower stress, but housework can feel daunting after a long day.
Putting on music with a great beat, like hip-hop or Top 40 hits, can energize you as you tackle everything from cleaning the bathroom to vacuuming. You may even feel like dancing around from one room to the next as you tidy up.
If you’re dreading the chores on your list, figure out how long it will take you to get them done. Then, make a playlist of songs that will last for that amount of time. Not only will it give you a way to track how much progress you’re making, but you may start looking forward to listening to your cleaning jams.
For the less physical to-do list items, like sitting down to figure out your budget or pay bills, try putting on music that helps you focus. A playlist that you enjoy can also help you through these tasks if you’re coping with a lot offinancial stress. Somestudieshave even suggested that listening to certain music can help you make better money decisions.
While You’re Working or Studying
Some people need total silence to focus, but if you’re someone who likes a little background noise, try putting on music while you’re working or studying.
Some research suggests that listening to music can improve attention and may help you be more productive.And if you’re stressed out over a deadline or big project, music can also help you feel a little calmer.
Experiment with different genres, styles, and tempos of music to figure out which one helps you the most.
If you’re working in an office setting or studying in a public place like a library, just make sure you’re listening to music with headphones (not too loud) so you don’t disrupt others.
While You’re Exercising
Working out has many stress-relieving health benefits, but it can also be a source of stress if you struggle to find the time to exercise, don’t enjoy it, or think it’s boring.
Music can enhance a workout and even turn it into an activity that you’ll look forward to.
You might get a better workout with a soundtrack—some studies have shown that listening to music while you exercise can boost your stamina.
If you want to listen to music at the gym or while doing physical activity outside, just make sure you can still practice situational awareness. If you’re wearing headphones, keep the music volume low enough that you can still hear what’s going on around you.
While You’re Getting Ready for Bed
Getting enough sleepis important for stress management, butstress can also interfere with sleep.
Just like you started your day with some music, try putting on some calming tunes as you’re winding down at the end of the day.
Having a bedtime playlist to help you drift off can be part of a nightlyself-care routinethat gets your body ready for rest. Music’s soothing effects are physical (like slowing your breathing) and mental (like quieting all the stressful chatter in your mind).
Listening to Both Happy or Sad Music Before Bed Could Mean Better Sleep
12 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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