When I first arrived at The University of Oklahoma, I quickly made friends with everyone on my co-ed floor. Considering we all had been deprived of putting our social skills to work over the course of the last few months, I wasn’t shocked. Without question, we all began to discover campus together, spending most of our days by each other’s side. Whenever we hung out the boys of the hall always tried to get us girls “in our feels,” or in other words make us miserable with their music. The first few weeks we all continued to laugh along to the sorrowful songs agreeing that they were decent as we added them to our playlists. Then suddenly after the first few weeks of living in my hall, I was listening to that same music around the clock. Filling my ears with low and depressing music I completed my daily tasks without thought. Realizing now, the anxiety-ridden and depressed state that swiftly made it’s way to me wasn’t by chance but by choice.
One thing I know for sure is that the familiar is comfortable. Therefore, since all my friends played sad music hanging out, I played it whenever I was alone too. Whether it be walking to class, taking a shower, or just hanging out in my room, you could bet that the music I was listening to was negatively charged.
There’s no doubt that music has the ability to change a person’s emotional state. We all have that one song that our best friend can blast in the car, roll the windows down, and help us forget our cares. We’ve all just simply experienced the fast change of our emotions as a song begins to play. In an article published by TIME, author Markham Heid answer’s the question “Is Listening to Music Good For Your Health?” Throughout it, he discusses how researchers consistently found that music is a powerful force with the ability to change anyone’s mood. A 2016 study from Finland found that the music we listen to has the ability to control our heart rates and ultimately our moods.
Since I’ve realized this sudden emotional change, I’ve switched my daily music. One Direction plays often, the classics like “My Girl” play a little louder, and my aura feels a little brighter.
My September 2020 Playlist:
“What They’ll Say About Us” – FINNEAS
“Trick to Happy” – Bahamas
“LEMONS” – Brye
“ok on your own (feat. Carly Rae Jepson)” – Mxmtoon, Carly Rae Jepson
Wow this is amazing