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Exposure to communal music may help regulate mood and cultivate feelings of belonging. – Mayron Piccolo, Deborah Wanderley dos Santos, Shaun Herold, Jill M. Hooley
Hey everyone! Have you ever felt left out when your friends are all chatting online without you? Or maybe you’ve had a tough day and can’t stop thinking about it? It happens to all of us. Sometimes, things like social media ostracism (being ignored or excluded online) or remembering a negative autobiographical memory recollection (thinking about a sad or bad thing that happened) can really bring our mood down and affect how we feel. But guess what? There are some cool and fun ways to help boost your mood: communal music and the power of good memories, called nostalgia!
What’s Communal Music Anyway?
Think about it like this: have you ever been at a school assembly and everyone sings the school song together? Or maybe you’ve been at a sports game and the whole crowd starts chanting a team cheer? That’s kind of what communal music is! It’s music that a lot of people in a group or community know and experience together. A perfect example is the song “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”. Have you ever been to a baseball game? During the seventh inning stretch, almost everyone in the stadium starts singing it! It creates a feeling of togetherness and belonging.
What’s This Thing Called Nostalgia?
Now, let’s talk about nostalgia. It’s like a warm, fuzzy feeling you get when you hear a song, see a picture, or even smell something that reminds you of a happy time in the past. It’s like your brain has a special memory box, and certain things can open it up and bring back good feelings. For many people, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” can trigger nostalgia, reminding them of fun times at the ballpark with family and friends.
How Music Makes You Feel Better
Music has a super powerful way of changing how we feel. When you listen to a happy song, you might start to feel happier too, right? That’s because music can affect your mood, or your affect. It can make you feel excited, calm, energetic, or even a little bit sad sometimes (and that’s okay too!).
The Awesome Power of Communal Music and Nostalgia Together!
Scientists have actually found that listening to communal music, especially songs that bring back those nostalgic feelings, can be a great way to lift your mood when you’re feeling down. Imagine you’ve just experienced social media ostracism or you can’t shake off a negative autobiographical memory recollection. Putting on a song like “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” or another piece of communal music that sparks nostalgia might just do the trick!
Even if you’re not in the specific situation the music reminds you of, hearing that familiar tune can bring back those good memories and make you feel more positive. Plus, communal music makes you feel like you belong. When you hear a song that so many other people know and love, it creates a sense of connection and reminds you that you’re part of something bigger. This feeling of belonging is super important for your mental wellbeing.
Why Does it Work?
Think about singing “Happy Birthday” at a party or everyone singing the school song with pride. These shared musical experiences create a sense of unity. Communal music works similarly, reminding us that we’re not alone and that we belong. When it also brings back good memories through nostalgia, it’s like a double dose of feel-good vibes!
More Examples of Communal Music with a Touch of Nostalgia:
- Your school anthem or fight song, especially when sung at events.
- Holiday songs that your family has sung together for years.
- Popular songs from a few years ago that remind you of fun times with your friends.
- The national anthem at a sporting event or school assembly.
- And of course, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” if you’ve ever been to a game!
Give it a Try!
So, the next time you’re feeling down because of something you saw online (social media ostracism) or because you’re stuck on a bad memory (negative autobiographical memory recollection), try putting on some communal music. Think of songs that remind you of happy times or that you know lots of people know. It’s a simple but powerful tool that can help improve your affect and boost your mental wellbeing by reminding you of good times and that you belong!Bonus Tip: Music for Staying Calm and Happy (Especially for Kids with ADHD!)
Music can also be a fantastic way to help you feel calm and happy in general! Here are a few types of music that some kids find helpful, especially if they have ADHD:
For Calmness:
- Classical Music (Instrumental): Look for slower, gentle pieces by composers like Debussy, Satie, Mozart, or Bach.
- Ambient or Lo-fi Music: Search for “chill,” “calming,” or “study music” playlists online for relaxed, repetitive instrumental sounds.
- Nature Sounds with Gentle Music: Music that combines calming sounds like rain or ocean waves with soft melodies.
- Instrumental Jazz (Smooth Jazz): Some smooth jazz instrumentals can be very relaxing.
For Happiness (Uplifting but not Overstimulating):
- Upbeat but Moderate Tempo Pop Music (Clean Lyrics): Choose songs with positive messages and a tempo that makes you feel good without being too fast.
- Light and Cheerful Folk Music: Acoustic folk songs with happy melodies can be uplifting.
- Instrumental Music with a Positive Feel: Look for instrumental pieces labeled as “happy” or “positive” in various genres.
Remember: Everyone is different, so try out different types of music to see what helps you feel the calmest and happiest! Sometimes, instrumental music (without words) can be less distracting. Pay attention to how different songs make you feel.
Based on research by: “Communal music as a tool to improve positive affect after social ostracism or negative autobiographical memory recollection” by Mayron Piccolo, Deborah Wanderley dos Santos, Shaun Herold, Jill M. Hooley.
Want to Learn More? Check out these books:
- “The Power of Music: How Music Can Help You Heal, Feel Better, and Be More Creative” by Elena Mannes: Explore the amazing ways music affects our brains and emotions.
- “Belonging: Find Your People, Create Community, and Live a More Connected Life” by Radha Agrawal:Learn about the importance of feeling connected and how to build your community.
- “The Healing Power of Music” by Mitchell L. Gaynor, M.D.: Discover how music can be used for healing and improving emotional wellbeing.
- “The Comfort Book” by Matt Haig: Find comfort in short reflections on life, hope, and the joy of memories, often linked to music.
- “You Are Not Alone: The Teenager’s Guide to Emotional Wellbeing” by Dr. Andrea Umbach: Get guidance on understanding and managing your feelings, including loneliness and sadness.