Stay Calm

In this informative article, Hailie explores several scientific ways to relieve stress through colors, scents, and music.

Stay Calm: Scientific Stress Relief

By Hailie Zintzun

In a general sense, stress can be easy to come by and hard to get rid of. Whether the source be from schoolwork, a job, or just existing, it is easy to get overwhelmed in today’s society. However, there are ways to lower stress levels and get into a state of relaxation. It has been shown that certain colors, scents, and songs can reduce stress and anxiety. A simple change in the type of candle a person is using or what music they are listening to might make a world of difference.

Colors

Colors are usually a subject of personal preference. When asking a person which one they favor the most, a variety of answers can be produced. However, certain colors have demonstrated that they can produce a similar effect on each individual. According to Frieze, “Research carried out by the University of Sussex and the paper company G.F Smith, draws on a survey of 26,596 people, from more than 100 countries. Respondents were asked to name their favorite colors, and the word which they most associated with them. Dark blue shades were most often associated with a feeling of calm.” Therefore, the study proves that dark blue is considered one of the most calming colors. Professor Anna Franklin of the University of Sussex’s school of psychology made an assumption that it might have something to do with color being “encoded by sensory mechanisms in the eye and brain.” The Pantone Color Institute, which is defined as a global color consultancy, shares the viewpoint about the calming effect of the color blue. Curbed states that Pantone’s Color of the Year in 2020 was none other than the “Classic Blue,” due to “. . . its association with feelings of calm, confidence, and connection.”

Blue is not the only color to influence feelings of relaxation and peace. Researchers at the Aalborg University of Copenhagen performed a small experiment to study the body’s response to color. Subjects were connected to EEG machines (which are used to register brain activity) and exposed to different variations of colored light after being blindfolded. Curbed notes that “Their brains were more active when their bodies were exposed to red and blue light. Green light yielded calmness and relaxation.” If feelings of stress or anxiety are becoming too strong, gravitating toward the cooler colors like green and blue may be a good option to reduce such feelings.

Photo credit: Christofer Miramontes

Scents

Photo Credit: Sophie Puch

Fragrances are perhaps one of the best-known ways to change one’s mood. There is always that one scent that makes a person calm and happy as soon as they get the first whiff of it. Research has shown that some scents can be more helpful than others. Huffington Post claims that “As a go-to scent for relaxation, lavender can help calm the mind and body almost instantly.” This registers little shock, for lavender is well-known for its help with sleeping issues. Something an individual might not be aware of is that the scent of pine still retains its use after Christmastime. A study in Japan had participants walk through pine forests, resulting in lower levels of stress, depression, and anxiety. That is a great way to receive multiple benefits at once! Fresh-cut grass is a scent that releases a chemical which can cause a person to feel relaxed and joyful. According to Huffington Post, “The smell apparently is so powerful that neuroscientists came up with a perfume and air-fragrance that matches it so the lawnless can also reap the benefits of the feel-good scent-- no lawn mower required.” Other fragrances like citrus, cinnamon, and peppermint all include benefits of their own. These are just a few of the scents that are able to help with negative feelings.

Music

Photo Credit: Macaroni Union- Weightless released March 24, 2015

Music is a universal language that has the ability to reach many people. It only makes sense to use that ability to help people by giving them a sense of calm. Mindlab International engaged in a study conducted by Dr. David Lewis-Hodgson to research what song induced the greatest sense of relaxation. The study involved participants listening to different songs while trying to figure out challenging puzzles. Sensors were connected to the participants so the researchers could measure brain activity and physiological states, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and rate of breathing, while they worked. The song that was proven to be the most effective in lowering stress is “Weightless” by Marconi Union. According to Forbes “... the song utilizes a peaceful production landscape filled with dreamy rhythms, melodics, and complimentary instruments.”

Compared to any other song tested by Mindlab International, “Weightless” causes a 65% reduction in anxiety and 35% reduction in usual physiological resting rates. The founder of the British Academy of Sound Therapy, Lyz Cooper, the reason the song is so effective is because the BPM (beats per minute) has a naturally slowing rhythm that the heart will try to match. It takes about five minutes for this process (entrainment) to happen, so it is ideal that the song is about eight minutes long. And since there is no repeating melody, there is no reason for a person’s brain to focus on what the next part of the song will sound like. Listening to songs with these qualities can be as calming as listening to the song in question. A song with a BPM between fifty and seventy is able to help with nerves and stress. Even so, take caution when listening to music such as this when driving, for it has been labeled as a danger.

While stress is a constant part of life, ways to subside or decrease it exist even in simple forms like color, scent, and song. Since these are common aspects of life, what reason is there to not take advantage of their scientifically proven calming properties. It is as simple as changing a playlist from metal to “Weightless.” Even if these modes of relaxation are not something that one might usually think about in their everyday lives, it might be worth the extra thought to ensure a more restful experience and quality of life.

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