Sad Girl Playlists Aren’t Just Trendy—Study Finds Sad Music Can Boost Your Mental Health

Music, a universal language that transcends cultural boundaries, has the remarkable ability to evoke a wide range of emotions within us. Whether it’s the upbeat tempo of a pop song that makes us want to dance or the soulful melody of a ballad that brings tears to our eyes, music has a profound impact on our emotional state. Among the diverse genres and styles of music, one intriguing phenomenon emerges—the power of sad music to elicit a profound and sometimes unexpected emotional response.

Recent research, as published in the Journal of Aesthetic Education, highlights a fascinating aspect of this phenomenon. The study suggests that listening to sad music can not only evoke feelings of sadness but can also positively impact a person’s mood, fostering a sense of connectedness that transcends mere melancholy. This revelation prompts us to delve deeper into the intricate relationship between sad music, emotions, and mental well-being.

The Complexity of Musical Influence on Emotions

Music, in its various forms and expressions, has long been recognized as a potent tool for eliciting emotions. Whether the lilting notes of a violin, the rhythmic beat of a drum, or the haunting chords of a piano, music has the ability to touch the depths of our souls. This influence extends to our emotional states, where music can evoke joy, sorrow, nostalgia, or even contemplation.

However, one facet of music that has intrigued researchers is its capacity to evoke complex emotions, particularly in the case of sad music. Tara Venkatesan, PhD, a cognitive scientist at Oxford University and an operatic soprano, asserts that various elements of a song, including its tempo, mode, instrument selection, and dynamics, can elicit a sense of melancholy in listeners. It is this unique ability of sad music to evoke a range of emotions that forms the backdrop of the study’s exploration.

The Value of Sad Music: Connection Beyond Melancholy

The research team, led by Dr. Venkatesan, set out to investigate why individuals are drawn to sad music despite its potential to induce sorrow. They postulated that the allure of sad music might be attributed to the sense of genuine connection it fosters, akin to the connections forged through sad conversations.

Consider a scenario in which someone shares a deeply personal and heartbreaking experience with you. As you empathize with their emotional turmoil, you might find yourself experiencing sadness as well. However, this shared vulnerability creates a unique and meaningful connection, reinforcing the bond between you and the storyteller. Dr. Venkatesan likens this phenomenon to the essence of sad music—a medium that evokes empathy and connection.

To substantiate their hypothesis, the research team conducted a two-part experiment. In the first phase, nearly 400 participants were presented with descriptions of four different songs, each characterized by various attributes. The participants were asked to rank these songs based on which ones embodied “what music is all about.” The findings revealed that emotional expression held greater value to participants than technical proficiency. Highly emotional songs, even if technically imperfect, were consistently favored.

In the second phase, involving 450 new participants, individuals were asked to rate their sense of connection while listening to music or participating in conversations that expressed 72 different emotions, ranging from inspiration and love to sadness and contempt. Remarkably, the emotions that engendered feelings of connection in conversations aligned with those expressed in highly rated songs—sadness, love, joy, loneliness, and sorrow. This convergence of emotional resonance suggested that, regardless of whether an individual enjoys sad music, its value lies in the sense of connection it forges.

Personalized Emotional Responses to Sad Music

While sad music can undoubtedly evoke sadness, its impact varies significantly from person to person. Shannon Bennett, PhD, site clinical director for NewYork-Presbyterian’s Center for Youth Mental Health, emphasizes that the emotional response to sad music hinges on an individual’s unique experiences and memories. Music often becomes entwined with our personal history and emotional recollections.

When a specific song is associated with a particular memory or experience, listening to that song can evoke profound emotions. Our memories and emotions are intimately linked, and hearing a song that evokes a specific memory can elicit corresponding feelings. This personalized response is a testament to the intricate interplay between music, memory, and emotion.

Furthermore, research suggests that sad music can lead to a cascade of emotional responses beyond simple sadness. Three primary categories of emotional experiences associated with sad music emerge: grief, melancholia, and sweet sorrow. While grief is characterized by negative emotions such as despair, melancholia and sweet sorrow encompass a spectrum of mixed emotions, including longing, nostalgia, comfort, and even pleasure. The multifaceted nature of emotional responses to sad music highlights the complexity of this phenomenon.

The Therapeutic Potential of Sad Music

Contrary to the belief that sad music perpetuates sadness, it can, in fact, have a positive impact on a listener’s mental health. Dr. Bennett highlights that music, including sad compositions, provides individuals with a means to engage with their emotions in a safe and supportive context. It allows them to sit with and process feelings that might otherwise be challenging to confront.

Sad music can serve as a form of emotional exposure, a therapeutic technique employed in evidence-based protocols to help individuals navigate difficult emotions. Instead of avoiding or suppressing sadness, individuals can use sad music as a tool for acknowledging and processing their feelings. This process, known as emotional catharsis, can facilitate emotional growth and resilience.

Moreover, listening to sad music often engenders a sense of emotional communion. Listeners may feel a profound connection with the artist or composer, sharing in the experience of sadness and vulnerability. This virtual contact can reduce feelings of loneliness, enhance feelings of acceptance, and promote a sense of belonging.

In addition to fostering a sense of connection with others, sad music can facilitate self-reflection. It provides individuals with an opportunity to explore and contemplate their own emotional experiences. This introspection can contribute to mood regulation and emotional well-being.

Music’s Influence on Mental Health

Beyond the realm of sad music, music as a whole wields a profound influence on our mental health. Research suggests that music can modulate our emotions, induce relaxation, and alleviate stress. For instance, relaxing music has been shown to reduce salivary cortisol levels, an indicator of decreased stress and improved stress response regulation.

Dr. Bennett underscores the importance of recognizing that music, whether sad or uplifting, plays a unique and personalized role in individuals’ mental health. Just as sad music can evoke a spectrum of emotions, the selection of music can be tailored to support one’s emotional needs and well-being. It provides a versatile tool for individuals to engage with their emotions, foster connections, and find solace.

In conclusion, the research into the therapeutic potential of sad music reveals that it offers far more than a mere expression of melancholy. It serves as a vehicle for connection, empathy, and introspection. The emotional complexity it evokes contributes to its unique value in the realm of music therapy. As individuals navigate the ebb and flow of their emotions, music, and particularly sad music, stands as a steadfast companion—a source of solace, understanding, and healing.