It’s official, and it’s backed by science: There is a song that now enjoys the title of being the most relaxing song ever produced.
Studies have consistently shown that music can have an enormous impact on emotional and physical health, positively affecting performance, mood, self-expression and self-esteem.
Sound therapists and Manchester band Marconi Union teamed up to produce the quintessential relaxation track using proven elements of scientific theory. The song they created is ‘Weightless’ and research by the British Academy of Sound Therapy found that it was able to lower blood pressure, slow heart rate and reduce cortisol (the stress hormone) at unprecedented rates.
‘Weightless’ is eight minutes long but the ride is a blissful one.
Feelings of euphoria and comfort are created by deliberately chosen gaps in the notes. The song features guitar, piano and electronic samples of natural landscapes and other elements that have been scientifically proven to induce relaxation.
It begins at 60 beats per minute then gradually slows to around 50, at which time the listener’s heartbeat automatically falls into line with the beat. This process is known as entrainment and it takes about five minutes for this to start, explaining why the song had to be a reasonably lengthy one. According to Lyz Cooper, founder of the British Academy of Sound Therapy, the gentle slowing brings calm to the body, shifting the heart, respiration, blood pressure and brainwaves into a deeply relaxed state.
The absence of repetitive melodies prevents the brain from trying to predict what comes next, allowing the brain to essentially ‘switch off’.
Studies found that ‘Weightless’ was 11% more relaxing than any other song, outdoing the likes of Mozart, Enya and Coldplay. The song dropped overall anxiety rates by 65%, bringing participants to a level 35 % lower than their usual resting rate. The relaxation effect was evident even though participants were given a stressful task to complete in within a stressful time constraint.
Dr. David Lewis-Hodgson, Director of Research at Mindlab International, who conducted the study, explained the research showed that, ‘Weightless was so effective, many women became drowsy and I would advise against driving while listening to the song because it could be dangerous.’
The song was found to be more relaxing than a massage, a walk or a cup of tea.
The top 10 list of most relaxing songs is:
- 1. Weightless (Marconi Union)
- 2. Electra (Airstream)
- 3. Mellomaniac (DJ Shah – Chill Out Mix)
- 4. Watermark (Enya)
- 5. Strawberry Swing (Coldplay)
- 6. Please Don’t Go (Barcelona)
- 7. Pure Shores (All Saints
- 8. Someone Like You (Adele)
- 9. Canzonetta Sull’aria (Mozart)
- 10. We Can Fly (Café Del Mar).
Click here to listen to ‘Weightless’.
See you in 8 minutes – maybe – if the beats haven’t taken you somewhere lovely.
Like this article?
Subscribe to our free newsletter for a weekly round up of our best articles
Just tried to listen to that “weightless” music, was so weird and notr relaxed at all. I felt tensing up, so I stopped. At least I have learned to stop and not endure if something supposedly relaxing does not relax me at all like I used to.
I have suffered anxiety with panic and depression for about 40 years. My daughter was getting married and I wanted to say a few nice words and send her on her way, but I couldnt as I was. I started everything at one time, asprins every day for some time, breathing exercises even at night if I woke, self hypnosis, meditation, exercise and more. I then went on a course in speech making only to realise that the anxiety had gone after approx. 6-8 months. I held a speech for my daughter at her wedding and felt great about it. It was one of the great experiences of my life….nothing is impossible.
Love hearing this! Thank you for sharing your story.
Wonderful work on behalf of the owner of this web
site, superb post.
Will have a listen, thanks…
Please look at the website on Music Therapy from the American Music Therapy Association. It will share with you about music therapy and just how long this has been used in our country. First came about after the second WW and helped with veterans were experiencing PTSD and veterans after the war and other feelings that they were experiencing.
Music is a wonderful tool to use. I have never heard the term sound therapist, but the correct term usually to use is music therapist.
[…] to soothe my jangled nerves, I google-searched for “most relaxing music” and found the ten most relaxing songs in the world. The number one most relaxing song on the list is “Weightless” by Marconi Union. […]
Thank you for your easy read on anxiety. I have a 12 year old son who suffers from anxiety which triggers his facial ticks. He has low self asteem because of both. It is both painful and at times frustrating to watch him go through it. As a mom I feel useless at times. I find your information to be very helpful. I will especially try the music part.
Thank you very much for sharing.
You’re welcome. I’m pleased you’re going to share some of the information with him. It’s awful when you can see your kids really struggling with something and you can’t do anything to help them. You’re doing a great job. Your son is so loved – I can hear that from your comment. Counselling might be an option for you if his self-esteem continues to suffer. He will get through – just keep loving him as you are and supporting him as you do.
I love the list of most relaxing songs! I can’t wait to listen to them and download !
Thank you again for another helpful article!
You’re welcome! I’m so pleased you’re going to do this!