One would think that when you are going through the most and you’re looking for a pick-me-up song, you would prefer going for a jolly and upbeat tune.
That is not always the case, it is the opposite. Mental health experts have proven that sad music can lift the mood of a sad person, and this is how it works…
Arianna Galligher, a licensed independent social worker, shared with the Everyday Health publication that listening to music that triggers strong emotions can be therapeutic. She states that it helps us access and process emotions in a low-risk, deliberate, and time-limited way that may otherwise be challenging or painful.
According to Arianna, sad music may provide a socially acceptable outlet for people to explore painful emotions that they’ve been taught to suppress or ignore. The social worker believes that emotions don’t go away when we ignore them and that everyone needs and deserves a way to express themselves. It is also stated that sad music reaffirms that one is not alone in their circumstances.
These are some of the benefits of listening to sad music when you are feeling blue as suggested by multiple health experts:
Validation: According to the Better Help publication, music can convey nuanced emotions and experiences. It is stated that sad music might make someone who is depressed feel less alone and more understood because sadness can be a very complex and isolating experience. The publication further states that even though some of the greatest hits ever are incredibly depressing, a lot of people adore them because they relate to real, everyday events.
Relation to emotions: According to the above-mentioned publication, although sadness is frequently linked to depression, emotional numbness is another possible sign. “For those who experience this effect, music can be a helpful tool for reconnecting with and reflecting on emotions.”
Nostalgia: “Even if a song sounds sad, there is always the possibility that someone associates it with a happy memory or time of their life. Listening to a song with a strong memory attached to it can help someone remember something or someone that is or was important to them.” Better Help believes that certain depressing songs can also bring back pleasant memories with loved ones and offer consolation to someone going through a trying period.
Tragic pleasure: According to Health Shots, listening to sad songs while going through a hard time brings about transcendence and what they call tragic pleasure. The publication defines tragic pleasure as a theory in which individuals, are aware that their feelings of sorrow are fleeting and within control, and find a certain beauty or pleasure in feeling them from a safe distance.
Aesthetic appreciation: Health Shots also states that some individuals find beauty in gloomy music, recognising the skill and depth of passion that went into its composition. This appreciation of aesthetics can make one feel contented or happy.
Also see: Is music the key to a good night’s rest? Sleep expert reveals the ultimate sleepy playlist
