How Music Can Impact Your Mood

Have you ever put on your favourite song when you’re having a difficult day and suddenly felt a little lighter?  Maybe you played an upbeat song in the morning and found yourself feeling more motivated and ready to take on the day?  That was me this morning.  I was in a bad place yesterday.  People who know me could probably tell as I wrote quite a negative blog here on my website.  That is not like me. I was feeling ill and had spent some time with someone who always impacts my self esteem and belief in myself.  Usually, I stay clear of people like this but this time it was unavoidable.

I decided to have a kitchen disco this morning.  Luckily I had the house to myself. Music has a unique ability to connect with us emotionally. It can bring back memories, change the atmosphere around us and influence how we feel in a matter of minutes. We may need comfort, motivation, confidence or simply a reason to smile, or even cry and get the emotion out of us.  The right music can become a powerful tool for supporting our mood and changing our mindset, and therefore our day.

Music and our emotions

Music can influence the way we experience our emotions because it engages many different areas of the brain. A slow, gentle song might help us feel calm and reflective, while an energetic beat can make us feel more alert, positive and ready to move.  I used to play positive, empowering music whilst driving to work as it would help me deal with my shift, challenging young people, and even more challenging office politics.  It set me up for the day and some how made me braver.

Sometimes, music also gives us permission to feel what we are already feeling. When we’re sad, a particular song may help us process those emotions rather than push them away.   I used to repress my sadness and was brought up to think that it was weak to cry.  A really sad song would therefore help me to release all that pent up sadness, and I could cry on my own in the car without upsetting my children, or people thinking that I could not cope.

When we are happy, music can amplify that feeling and turn an ordinary moment into something memorable. I still remember and enjoy songs from over 50 years ago that were played when I was really happy with friends.  One of them was ‘Surfing USA.’ by the Beach Boys.  It was a beautiful sunny day, my friend had just passed her driving test, her dad had given her a car, and we were on our way to the beach singing it at the top of our voices.  It felt like we were free and I can picture it now.

This is why having a collection of songs that make you feel good can be so valuable.  I have a lot of CDs but I also ask Alexa to play certain songs if I need to change my mindset.  Most of them are empowering, over coming adversity, or even rebellious type songs like “This is me”.

The power of uplifting music

Uplifting music can help create a positive shift in our mindset. Songs with energetic rhythms, encouraging lyrics or powerful messages can remind us of our own strength and help us approach the day with a different perspective.

Imagine the scenario of waking up feeling tired or unmotivated. Instead of immediately reaching for your phone and scrolling through stressful news or social media, you put on a song that makes you feel energised. You start getting ready, perhaps singing and dancing along, and suddenly the morning feels different.

The circumstances may not have changed but your mindset has. That small change can sometimes be enough to help us take the next step.  I know it got me into work when I really didn’t want to go as I hated my job in the end.  Not the job that I was doing, but the politics, the unkindness, the dog eats dog attitude, and the dishonesty.  These just did not align with my values, or fit into the reasons that I wanted to help people.

Empowering music can remind us who we are

There is something incredibly powerful about hearing lyrics that reflect how we want to feel. An empowering song can remind us that we are capable, strong, worthy,  are going to get through this,  and deserve good things.  It can also remind us not to give up, that we can reach our dreams, or start again. I find that music can act almost like an emotional affirmation. When we repeatedly hear positive, empowering messages, they can become part of the language we use with ourselves. Our brain absorbs them. I am not saying that a song is going to magically solve every problem. However, it can give us encouragement when we need it.  Sometimes encouragement is exactly what helps us keep moving forward, especially when we have no one in our life to help us

Create your own feel-good playlist

One simple way to use music to support your mood is to create a playlist specifically for the moments when you need a boost. Choose songs that make you feel happy, confident, energised and empowered. They don’t necessarily have to be the songs that everyone else loves. The most important thing is how the music makes you feel.  Katy Perry ‘Firework’ was one I used in my past, S Club 7 ‘Reach for the sky’ when I was younger, and later ‘Unstoppable’ by Sia. I used to play songs like these at the gym when I wanted to lose weight and they motivated me to lose nearly 4 stone, 15 years ago. When I am made to feel like I am not good enough, or feel like people do not accept me for who I am I have a play list. Songs like ‘This is me’, or ‘I am what I am’.  My brother died with very few people knowing the real him.  He felt that he had to hide it to be accepted.  I refuse to do that.

I  have different songs for different moods and anyone can create different playlists for those occasions:

🌞 Morning motivation
Songs that help you start the day feeling positive and energised.

💪 Confidence boost
Songs that make you feel powerful, capable and ready to take on a challenge.

❤️ Comfort and calm
Gentle songs for when you need to slow down and give yourself some kindness, or need a good cry.

🎉 Happiness playlist
Your favourite feel-good songs — the ones that make you want to sing, dance and smile.

🔥 “I’ve got this!” playlist
Powerful, empowering songs to turn to when you’re facing something difficult, or even an interview.

Don’t underestimate the power of pressing play

We often look for complicated ways to improve our mood, but sometimes small things can make a meaningful difference.  I have found that music has helped me more than therapy. Putting on music that lifts you up can become a simple act of self-care. It can help change the energy in a room, encourage movement, bring back positive memories, and give you a moment to reconnect with yourself.

Music and dance were my saviour as a child, and got me through so many difficult times.  I sometimes forget to use it now I am in my 60s.  This is my message to myself to use the strategies that I already know work for my wellbeing.  I will find my head phones and play my music even when other people are in the house.

So the next time you’re feeling low, stressed or lacking motivation, try pressing play on a song that makes you feel stronger, brighter and more hopeful. Turn up the volume and sing and dance along. Let yourself really feel that music. That was me this morning, and I now feel like a totally different person, with more energy, self belief, and  hope. Sometimes, the right song at the right moment can remind us that even when we’re having a difficult day, there is still a little bit of light we can choose to turn towards.

Some more wellbeing blogs that you may find useful

Changing your mindset can change your life

Mindset changes for a simple life