Sad Music... For A Mood Boost? [ep. 155]

Joy Lab Podcast

Does sad music make you feel a little better? You're not alone. In this episode, we're exploring the intriguing topic of how sad music can influence mood and foster resilience. A recent study revealed some reason why we are drawn to sad music and the diverse emotions it evokes, including nostalgia, peacefulness, and empathy. The study also found four dimensions or rewards of listening to sad music: imagination, emotional regulation, empathy, and experiencing emotions without real-life implications. Long song short, there's a real therapeutic and connecting power of sad music and it can be a valuable mindfulness practice for emotional processing.

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Sources & Notes:

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• Studies & articles referenced:
• The Paradox of Music-Evoked Sadness: An Online Survey
• “Hurt”: That Time When Johnny Cash Stole Trent Reznor’s Best Song

Full transcript here

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