DISCLAIMER WARNING: DON’T LISTEN WHILE DRIVING!!!
It slows your breathing and reduces brain activity to such an extent that ’Weightless’, written by Manchester band Marconi Union, is said to be the ’most relaxing song ever’.
Sound therapists and Manchester band Marconi Union compiled the song. Scientists played it to 40 women and found it to be more effective at helping them relax than songs by Enya, Mozart and Coldplay.
‘Weightless’ works by using specific rhythms, tones, frequencies and intervals to relax the listener. A continuous rhythm of 60 BPM causes the brainwaves and heart rate to synchronize with the rhythm: a process known as ‘entrainment’. Low underlying bass tones relax the listener and a low whooshing sound with a trance-like quality takes the listener into an even deeper state of calm.
The eight-minute track is so effective at inducing sleep, motorists have now been warned they should not listen to it while driving.
you know how the saying goes- "listen to the right song and end up relaxing like a kitten in a hammock"
The band worked with sound therapists to get advice on how to make the most effective use of harmonies, rhythms and bass lines. The result to listeners is a slowing of the heart rate, reduced blood pressure and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
Studies found ‘Weightless’ was eleven percent more relaxing than any other song and even made many of the women ‘drowsy’ in the lab.
Lyz Cooper, founder of the British Academy of Sound Therapy, said Marconi Union used scientific theory to make the ‘perfect relaxing song.’
- The study found this to be the world’s most relaxing song. It contains a sustaining rhythm that starts at 60 beats per minute and gradually slows to around 50.
- While listening, your heart rate gradually comes to match that beat.
- It is important that the song is eight minutes long because it takes about five minutes for this process, known as entrainment, to occur.
- The fall in heart rate also leads to a fall in blood pressure.
- The harmonic intervals – or gaps between notes – have been chosen to create a feeling of euphoria and comfort.
- There is no repeating melody, which allows your brain to completely switch off because you are no longer trying to predict what is coming next.
- Instead, there are random chimes, which helps to induce a deeper sense of relaxation.
- The final element is the low, whooshing sounds and hums that are like buddhist chants.
- High tones stimulate, but these low tones put you in a trance-like state.
The study – commissioned by bubble bath and shower gel firm Radox Spa – found the song was even more relaxing than a massage, walk or cup of tea.
While listening to it, I even felt a little drowsy.
The Top 10 List of the Most Relaxing Songs that the study uncovered include:
3) DJ Shah – Mellomaniac (Chill Out Mix)
5) Coldplay – Strawberry Swing
6) Barcelona – Please Don’t Go
9) Mozart – Canzonetta Sull’aria
For More Information on This Watch this video
To Hear the Song click Here
