simpl3 pleasures: music & rain

Photo by Preston Kwok (@prez_photographer)

Another simple pleasure that I hold dearly is music. Lately I've been very stressed. I tend to worry about so much things, getting caught up in the motions. However, it has been raining a lot lately. The way it pounds on the windows with a calm gloom casting over the sky was very relaxing. Strangely, this was something that helped me a lot with relieving stress and staying focused/productive.

Sometimes music is something that I need as an energy booster- to hype up my day. But these calm and gloomy nights have also shown their beauty of fall. Instead of the harsh sun, the dark afternoons were strangely comforting. Rather than wanting music to raise energy levels, melancholy & soulful songs helped me immensely. With so much going in the months of fall, it's easy to forget simple pleasures like music, walks, art, or hot showers.

At the moment, while I'm writing this short blog, I am currently listening to "I Hear a Symphony" by Cody Fry for the first time. The whimsical and dramatic sounds reminds me of Christmas and the warm happy feelings that comes with the holidays. Taking a step back, listening to some music, and appreciating the moment and time I have left of high school (even though it can become stressful), reminds me that the end goal will come. Instead of staying in constant worry, just enjoying the season of fall, expressive music, and the enjoyment of these things, are what helps me remain composed.

Some researches/facts on music and stress!

Based on what University of Nevada, Reno had said about music's affect in relieving stress thru the power of music, " A slower tempo can quiet your mind and relax your muscles, making you feel soothed while releasing the stress of the day. Music is effective for relaxation and stress management"

In addition, the source reports the findings of Stanford University who has said: "listening to music seems to be able to change brain functioning to the same extent as medication... music is something that almost anybody can access and makes it an easy stress reduction tool"