4 essential playlists for nurses to navigate the day’s ups and downs

Taking a moment to create your own music haven can help elevate your mood.

5 ways music , can boost well-being & mental health.According to a survey by DICE and Populous, 23% of people say that music has been the biggest support to their mental health during the lockdowns.'The Independent' offers some evidence-based examples of how music can help your emotional and psychological wellbeing.1. Music can help remind you of happier times. .A 2019 study by Durham University's Dr Kelly Jakubowski found that for older people, music triggered memories from when they were aged 10-30.Music first heard when you were a teenager tends to trigger the most vivid memories.Music first heard when you were a teenager tends to trigger the most vivid memories.2. Music is often used as a form of therapy. .Music is often employed to help people living with dementia, as well as children and adults with mental health or developmental needs.Music is often employed to help people living with dementia, as well as children and adults with mental health or developmental needs.A 2013 study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology found that two weeks of regularly listening to upbeat music could bolster people’s mood and happiness.3. Classical music can help you relax and stay focused.A 2007 Stanford University study found that classical music helps people filter out distractions and feel calm and focused.Music even helps us absorb new information more easily.5. Music helps people cope with pain. .A 2015 review in The Lancet found people who listened to music before, during or after surgical procedures experienced lower rates of anxiety and pain afterwards. .Music is an incredibly powerful tool that can help stave off the lockdown blues.

We turn to music when we’re happy, sad, need inspiration or for a fun night out with friends. As a nurse, there are plenty of ups and downs throughout the day that may require a few necessary timeouts. A good way to escape those worries is a little music therapy.

The World Journal of Psychiatry found music therapy can be an effective treatment for mood disorders related to neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, dementia, stroke and multiple sclerosis.

While music therapy might not fit into your lunch break, taking a moment to create your own music haven can suffice.

If you’re looking for a mood booster, “listening to or making music increases blood flow to brain regions that generate and control emotions. The limbic system, which is involved in processing emotions and controlling memory, ‘lights’ up when our ears perceive music,” said Pfizer.

Whether you’re having a rough day or need a little motivation to get started, here are four essential playlists for nurses.

Amped up

If you need a little rock, pop or hip-hop, this eccentric playlist is for you. With hits from The Weeknd, Lady Gaga and Papa Roach, it’s one big party.

Soothing sounds

If you need a more calm approach to the day or situation, Soothing Sounds has Taylor Swift, Beth Orton, Khalid and Coldplay.

Inspiration

Feeling a little lost? This playlist, called Inspirational Tunes, is more than an hour long with artists from Florence + The Machine, the Beatles, Caamp and more.

Homesick

For those feeling a little out of sorts missing home, the Feeling Nostalgic playlist is filled with great music that triggers nostalgic feelings for just about everyone. From the first time you heard U2, that dive bar where everyone sang Journey to Madonna, this playlist will help you escape the day for more than an hour.

So, if you’re feeling a little down, put on one of these playlists or build your own. According to a study from the Journal of Positive Psychology, those “who listened to music that could be classified as happy and upbeat were able to improve their mood and overall happiness in just a few weeks.”