Stressed? Listen and relax
Dani Minehart
Issue date: 3/4/09 Section: The Edge
Listening to music that stimulates your brain waves is a great way to relax after a long, stressful day. Think about meditation as a new way to get rid of all the strain and anxiety and release it all from your mind.
You don't need to go out and buy "Sounds of the Ocean," because you probably already have some music that effectively soothes your mental state in the same way. Only you know what will help you relax and concentrate and release all the unwanted pressures of your day.
One album I tune into when I meditate is "Feels" by Animal Collective. I believe the song "Bees" is the best to start out every meditation. The entire duration of the song is incredibly mind-numbing, but in a good way. The song opens with an echoing harp. Soon, meditative voices enter the song and persuade you to fall asleep in wonderland.
"So sudden, the bees, they came flying. So violent, the bees, they came sly. So scary, the bees, they came wide. So wild, the bees, they came crying. They said: 'I take my time.' Please take your time. I take my time. I take my time. You take your time. Just take your time. I take my time."
As it continues, you can hear in the distinct background sounds of nature, such as sound effects made to resemble birds singing. Another interesting effect Animal Collective throws into the song is distorted garbling sounds,
trying to make you fall into a deeper mind trance.
Another album that is good for relaxing is "Plastic Ono Band" by John Lennon. It includes some of his most honest and straightforward songs, such as "God."
"God is a concept by which we measure our pain. I'll say it again; God is a concept by which we measure our pain. I don't believe in magic. I don't believe in I-ching. I don't believe in bible. I don't believe in tarot. I don't believe in Hitler. I don't believe in Jesus."
Lennon continues his list, and ends it with moralizing that he only believes in reality. The song is simple and relaxing, and more so, it makes listeners think over many concepts, including their beliefs.
"Love" is another great song on the album to loosen up to.
"Love is real, real is love. Love is feeling, feeling love. Love is wanting to be loved. Love is touch, touch is love. Love is reaching, reaching love. Love is asking to be loved. Love is you, you and me. Love is knowing we can be. Love is free, free is love. Love is living, living love. Love is needing to be loved."
The song is a mere 11 lines long, but still illustrates a lot. Lennon's voice is so delicate, graceful and easy to listen to. It's a perfect song to empty your mind and fall asleep to. All of the songs on this album are ones to think about, and meditating to them can allow you to think more clearly in your everyday life.
After you pick an album, make sure you are alone in a quiet room to ensure there will be no disturbances. Also, set the volume relatively low, but loud enough to hear each song. Finally, relax and allow the music to clear your mind of any unneeded stress or anxiety.
You don't need to go out and buy "Sounds of the Ocean," because you probably already have some music that effectively soothes your mental state in the same way. Only you know what will help you relax and concentrate and release all the unwanted pressures of your day.
One album I tune into when I meditate is "Feels" by Animal Collective. I believe the song "Bees" is the best to start out every meditation. The entire duration of the song is incredibly mind-numbing, but in a good way. The song opens with an echoing harp. Soon, meditative voices enter the song and persuade you to fall asleep in wonderland.
"So sudden, the bees, they came flying. So violent, the bees, they came sly. So scary, the bees, they came wide. So wild, the bees, they came crying. They said: 'I take my time.' Please take your time. I take my time. I take my time. You take your time. Just take your time. I take my time."
As it continues, you can hear in the distinct background sounds of nature, such as sound effects made to resemble birds singing. Another interesting effect Animal Collective throws into the song is distorted garbling sounds,
trying to make you fall into a deeper mind trance.
Another album that is good for relaxing is "Plastic Ono Band" by John Lennon. It includes some of his most honest and straightforward songs, such as "God."
"God is a concept by which we measure our pain. I'll say it again; God is a concept by which we measure our pain. I don't believe in magic. I don't believe in I-ching. I don't believe in bible. I don't believe in tarot. I don't believe in Hitler. I don't believe in Jesus."
Lennon continues his list, and ends it with moralizing that he only believes in reality. The song is simple and relaxing, and more so, it makes listeners think over many concepts, including their beliefs.
"Love" is another great song on the album to loosen up to.
"Love is real, real is love. Love is feeling, feeling love. Love is wanting to be loved. Love is touch, touch is love. Love is reaching, reaching love. Love is asking to be loved. Love is you, you and me. Love is knowing we can be. Love is free, free is love. Love is living, living love. Love is needing to be loved."
The song is a mere 11 lines long, but still illustrates a lot. Lennon's voice is so delicate, graceful and easy to listen to. It's a perfect song to empty your mind and fall asleep to. All of the songs on this album are ones to think about, and meditating to them can allow you to think more clearly in your everyday life.
After you pick an album, make sure you are alone in a quiet room to ensure there will be no disturbances. Also, set the volume relatively low, but loud enough to hear each song. Finally, relax and allow the music to clear your mind of any unneeded stress or anxiety.
Be the first to comment on this story