John Schinnerer, Ph.D.

Music may be good for the heart, suggests a 2005 study published in Heart, which shows that it is tempo, rather than type of music, that relieves stress and slows the heart.

While it was a small study (n=24), the findings show that up tempo music with more intricate rhythms, sped up breathing and blood circulation, regardless of style. Fast-paced classical and techno music had the greatest impact. Interestingly, it was the silence between notes and songs that had the largest effect. Quick tempo music increased the degree of physiological arousal. Similarly, slower tempo music had an opposite effect, lowering arousal and slowing the heart rate.

However, during the pauses, during the silence, all physiological indicators relaxed (i.e., heart and breathing rates fell below those which were recorded at the beginning of the experiment prior to participants listening to any music). This effect occurred, regardless of the musical style or the participants’ musical tastes.

The Positive Psychology Music Project

I have compiled a list of over 200 songs which have been vetted for positivity. In other words, there is something about each of the songs that promotes happiness, hope, optimism, interest, joy, contentment, serenity, energy, excitement, gratitude and/or playfulness. I  listen to these songs daily in a conscious effort to experience greater frequency of positive emotions (to inch closer towards Barb Fredrickson’s positivity ration of 3:1!).

So here are a few songs that I like to use to keep my mood and emotions positive and upbeat…

Gnarls Barkley  - Crazy  (2006)

Gladiator soundtrack – Hans Zimmer - The Battle

Finley Quaye – Your love gets sweeter (Reggae)

Elvis Costello - (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding

Dirty Vegas – Days Go By (Techno/dance)

Rascal Flatts – Life is a Highway (Modern country)

The Chords – Sh-Boom (50s)

Carrie Underwood – Jesus, Take the Wheel (country)

Bob Marley – Three Little Birds (reggae)

Beethoven - Adagio Molto E Cantabile – Symphony No. 9 Choral

Beethoven – Molto Vivace – Symphony No. 9 Choral

10,000 Maniacs or Cat Stevens – Peace Train

High School Musical - Get’cha Head in the Game (Disney - childrens)

Jack Johnson – With my own two hands (From Curious George movie soundtrack)

Jack Johnson – We’re going to be friends (Cover of White Stripes song)

Rihanna – Pon de replay (Dance)

KT Tunstall – Black Horse and the Cherry Tree

Los Lonely Boys – Heaven

Lord of the Rings: Return of the King Soundtrack – The Return of the King (w/James

Mary J. Blige – Family Affair

Black Eyed Peas – Where is the love?

Johnny Nash – I can see clearly now

Paul Simon – Father and daughter

Pirates of the Caribbean Soundtrack – Black Pearl, Will and Elizabeth, and more (modern classical)

Rancid – Fall back down (punk)

Simon and Garfunkel – The Only Living Boy in

Uncle Tupelo – No Depression (Alt Country)

Peter Tosh – Johnny B. Goode (reggae)

Richard Wagner - Die Walkure - The Ride Of The Valkyries (Classical)

The Who – Love Reign O’er Me