Do this when you put on your headphones

🎧 Today’s tip: In moments of stress, focus your full attention on a favorite song.

Anyone who’s ever put on an uptempo jam to hype themselves up for a big moment — or used a weepy playlist to set the mood for a cathartic cry — knows that the right song can dramatically influence how we feel. As Markham Heid explains on Elemental, research has even shown that listening to music can ease symptoms of anxiety and depression, lowering our blood pressure and helping us to regulate our moods.

But reaping the soothing benefits of music, Heid notes, “isn’t as simple as switching on Spotify.” Passively taking in background music while you do something else doesn’t have the same effect as actively paying attention to what you hear. We all have different associations with different songs and genres, so your soothing soundtrack will be unique to you, but there is a right way to listen to it: Put down your phone, get your mind into the present moment, and really listen.

📚 More from Forge on staying in the moment:

The Total Incompatibility of Mindfulness and Busyness
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A Long Walk Can Change Everything
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How to Make Your Memories More Powerful
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