Bad Mood? Try Updating Your Music Playlist, This Is The Benefit According To Research

Illustration of updating the music playlist is useful for improving the mood (Freepik/rawpixel.com)

YOGYAKARTA Sometimes moods can change so fast, the morning feels sluggish, the afternoon suddenly clear only because one favorite song is played. Music does have unique power to influence emotions. However, did you know that updating the music playlist can give a bigger mood boost than just playing old songs? Quoting Mind BodyGreen, Tuesday, October 14, changing playlists not only gives variation, but also stimulates the brain and emotions positively.

Researchers who study the relationship between music and depression and sadness from the University of Melbourne, Dr. Sandra Garrido, explains that the human brain naturally likes novelty. When you hear a new song, the brain releases dopamine or chemicals that play a role in joy and motivation.

"When someone finds new music that feels 'click' with his mood, it creates a small euphoria effect that can lift the mood," said Garrido. In other words, updating the playlist is not only about taste, but also about emotional fitness.

Interestingly, research from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands found that music can change the way one processes the world around it. In their experiments, participants who listen to bright music recognized the expression of a happy face more quickly and tended to think positively throughout the day. This effect will be even more pronounced when the music playlist is changed periodically so as not to make the brain bore' at the same stimulus.

Music therapist, Dr. Michael Thaut of the University of Toronto, also added that changing playlists helps the brain stay active and adaptive. Updating the music playlist, it's a small training scene for the brain.

New music challenges the patterns of brain habits formed from old songs. This helps create a balance between comfort and stimulation, which is important for psychological well-being," Thaut explained.

In addition, changing playlists can also help adapt emotions to the phase of life. Songs that have felt touching in the past may now trigger too much nostalgia or even sadness. By adding new songs that reflect the current conditions, you make room for new emotions to grow. According to music psychotherapist Dr. Joy Allen of Berklee College of Music, music relevant to the context of a person's life can strengthen feelings of self-control and improve emotional well-being.

Research fromtensic University in Canada has even shown that listening to new music can increase dopamine levels by up to 9%. This effect is similar to being happy when eating favorite foods or exercising lightly. So, just imagine, updating a playlist is like giving the brain a small gift that makes the day feel lighter.

Maybe this is the reason why after adding a new song to the playlist, your day's atmosphere feels different. There is a spirit that appears without realizing it, the steps feel lighter, and the routine is no longer boring. Music is not just entertainment, but a natural medium to improve mood and maintain mental health.

In short, if you feel bored or stuck in your routine, try updating your music playlist. Add new songs that are curious, mix different genres, or enter songs that have never been heard before. Who knows, one new song is enough to change your day to be brighter.