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The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at FSU chapter.

It’s no secret that spring semester isn’t the easiest when it comes to handling stress. From adjusting to new classes and managing overall schedule changes, the potential of feeling overwhelmed is daunting. I know I don’t always have time to commit to a self-care day or to take needed breaks when I get worked up. My never-ending to-do list can get to me, and I find myself losing motivation. When I get to this point, I turn to the one thing I know can help me keep a level head, stay on top of my work, and relax: music. 

Whether I’m listening to it for just four minutes or up to four hours, music never fails to bring me a sense of calm. I have playlists for when I’m happy, sad, excited, and especially when I’m stressed. Sometimes, the only way I get myself up is by turning on Lana Del Rey to start my morning routine. Regardless of favorite artists, everyone has music that can actively affect their mood in some way. Recent research suggests that not only can music be an effective mood regulator, but it can also influence our own personal identities and well-being. 

Social Connection and Support

It’s commonly known that social connection and interaction with others can have many positive benefits on mental health. Despite this, not everyone has the time of day to go out and socialize, especially when exam weeks come around. Listening to music is a way that can help you feel connected and supported by other people without physically interacting with them. 

Music is a platform for communication, enabling people to express emotions and connect on a deeper level. When you develop your music tastes, you’re also taking part in the shaping of your identity. Not only do you connect with artists, but the shared experience of enjoying a favorite song or relating to certain lyrics creates a virtual sense of community, developing a connection that goes beyond physical boundaries. This can lead to a strong sense of belonging and unity. When we feel we’re not alone, we become more resilient, often coping more effectively with the difficult tasks at hand. The music you resonate with becomes a soundtrack to your life, reflecting your own experiences, values, and emotions with those around you. 

We can see examples of connectedness through music every day, especially with popular platforms like Spotify. Recently, Spotify’s “daylists” have been a big hit and are a lot of fun to share on social media. This feature autogenerates a new playlist specifically tailored to you and your music tastes depending on the time of day. Because Spotify’s algorithm intends to target “niche music and microgenres,” it’s given people an easy way to show off their hyper-specific tastes. I know nothing makes me feel better than sharing the music I love with other people; in a way, it’s like sharing a part of yourself. Daylists are a fun and unique way to do just that. 

The Science Behind It 

There’s a reason why music makes us feel such strong emotions, and that’s because listening to it has actual physical effects on our bodies. I’m sure we’ve all experienced the feeling of chest aches from stress or anxiety. When experiencing high amounts of stress, the cardiovascular system responds with increases in both heart rate and blood pressure levels, causing that aching feeling. However, studies have shown that listening to music can induce a relaxation response within our bodies, effectively decreasing our heart rate and blood pressure. 

Imagine yourself coming home after a long school day. You’re tired and stressed, and you still have some homework and studying left to do. You go to your room and put on your favorite playlist, and suddenly, it feels like a weight has been lifted off your chest. Just like Taylor Swift, you take that negative emotion, and you shake it off. 

The chills you feel when you listen to songs from your favorite artists may be the result of dopamine, a type of neurotransmitter that plays a role in pleasure and well-being. When you become familiar with a piece of music, your body can release dopamine just from hearing the first few notes. This phenomenon highlights the powerful connection between music and our brain’s reward system. As the familiar notes play, the brain begins to recognize and anticipate the patterns, triggering a surge of dopamine. This response not only enhances our emotional connection to music but is also a great example of the impact auditory stimuli can have on our overall well-being. 

Ultimately, music isn’t just about feeling good. It can be about helping us relax when we’re stressed out or connecting with those around us. Whether we’re dancing alone in our room, immersing ourselves in Taylor Swift lore, or sharing our daylists on Instagram, it seems music isn’t just a luxury but also a necessity for keeping our minds in a good place. The next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, consider putting on some headphones and hitting play on your favorite song. It helps my stress dissolve, and it may help you, too! 

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Reghan is a Staff Writer for Her Campus at Florida State University. She is a current sophomore at FSU majoring in Marketing with a minor in English and is on a Pre-Law track. Beyond Her Campus, Reghan is a member of the Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law fraternity at Florida State, Relay For Life, and Women In Pre-law Society. She also writes for DWF Magazine. Over the summer she interned at the law firm Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP. In her free time, Reghan loves reading, writing, drawing, and spending time with her two dogs, Marty and Lexi.