​3 Ideas To Help You Change Your Mood Through Sound

Change Your Mood Through Sound

You probably take your sense of hearing for granted. The world around you is full of sound. There are sounds that you enjoy listening to and sounds that you want to ignore. But, you probably accept that you can hear and don't reflect much on that fact. However, did you know that sound can have a powerful effect on your mood and your behaviour?

The sound of a car alarm or a baby crying will have you scrambling to make it stop. Hearing birds singing or waves lapping on the shore will make you smile and feel relaxed. And whether you realize it or not, people are trying to get you to change your behaviour in response to sound. For example, stores and shopping malls will play upbeat music to keep you moving and spending.

You can do a little homework to use sound to lift your mood or to avoid sounds you dislike. Take a minute, close your eyes and imagine sounds or music that make you feel good: It could be a favourite piece of music, laughter, birdsong, or the voice of a loved one. Now think of sounds that irritate you: Perhaps a cell phone ringtone, emergency sirens, or an alarm bell. All these sounds, whether pleasant or unpleasant affect your brain. You respond to the sound of a car crash or a piece of music that jogs a happy memory. 

Reacting to sound is hardwired into your brain. Even when you’re in a deep sleep, your mind is still scanning the environment and alert to sound.
  
Studies have shown that listening to music activates large areas of the brain and triggers the release of dopamine, the feel-good chemical. Music therapy has been used to help patients suffering from depression and even Alzheimer’s disease.
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So, if you’re feeling in low spirits, or just a bit vulnerable, you can take control by filtering and choosing the sounds you hear so you can lift your mood. 

• Get on the front foot by choosing music that makes you happy. Turn it up, sing and dance and you will instantly feel better.

• Bring positive sounds into your everyday life. You can surround yourself with sounds that you enjoy like a trip to the beach, a concert, a walk through rustling leaves in the fall, noticing the sound of falling rain or talking with someone you love. 

• Choose to minimize the intrusion of irritating or distracting sounds. Change your ringtone or switch it to vibrate, use earphones and music to block out noisy neighbours, children or colleagues. 

You can take control of the sounds you hear and choose to keep your mood high. 

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